| A | B |
|---|
| central processing unit (CPU) | (microprocessor) performs all of the calculations that take place in a PC |
| connector | port or plug |
| DB connector | oldest and most common connectors for peripherals. They have pins and a D shape to allow only one way to insert the plug into the port |
| digital video interface (DVI) | special video connector designed for digital-to-digital connections, most commonly seen on PC video cards and LCD monitors |
| D-subminiature | another name for DB connectors, also known as D-sub |
| eSATA | serial ATA-basedconnector for external hard drives and optical drives |
| expansion slot | located inside the CPU unit, used to add more devices on expansion cards |
| FireWire | connection that moves data at incredibly high speeds for specialized applications such as streaming video. 4, 6, and 9 wire versions are available. (more wires = more speed/power) |
| floppy drive | system hardware that uses removable 3.5 inch disks as storage media |
| hard drive | stores programs and data that are not currently being used by the CPU (most common two are: PATA (parallel advanced technology attachment) and the SATA (serial advanced technology attachment |
| Hi-definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) | multimedia transmission standard that defines high-resolution images and 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 sound |
| hot-swappable | means that a device can be inserted or removed without restarting your PC (such as USB devices) |
| IEEE I394 | firewire |
| jack | another name for a port |
| joystick | peripheral often used while playing computer games, originally intended as a multipurpose input device |
| keyboard | keypad for input by user |
| microprocessor | Brain of the computer. Primary computer chip that determines relative speed and capability of the computer |
| mini-audio connector | 1/8" connector used for speakers and microphones to connect to audio jacks |
| mini-DIN connector | replaced original DIN connectors, which attached older style keyboards and mice to the CPU |
| modem | device that converts a digital bit stream into an analog signal (modulation) and converts incoming analog signals back into digital signals (demodulation) |
| monitor | provides visual output for the computer |
| motherboard | flat piece of circuit board, in a computer, with connectors used to attach a variety of devices such as hard drives, CD-ROMs, sound cards, etc. |
| mouse | pointing device used to control a praphical pointer on the monitor for user input |
| network interface card (NIC) | expansion card that enablesa PC to physically link to a network |
| optical drive | drive used to read/write to optical discs such as CDs or DVDs |
| parallel port | connection for the synchronous, high speed flow of data along parallel lines to a device, usually a printer |
| peripherals | extra things that connect externally to the computer, such as: printer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc |
| plug | part with some type of projection that goes into a port |
| port | part that has some type of matching hole or slot that accepts the plug |
| power supply | provides electrical power for a PC by converting standard AC power to various voltages of DC electricity in a PC |
| printer | provides printed output from the computer |
| programming | series of binary electronic commands sent to a CPU to get work done |
| random access memory (RAM | memory that can be accessed at random, meaning you can write to or read from. It usually refers to the computers main memory |
| RJ connector | the plastic plug at the end of a phone corch or internet cable. there are two types: RJ-11 (phone jack) and RJ-45 (network connections) |
| serial port | common connector on a PC for input devices such as a mouse or communication devices such as a modem |
| software | single group of programs designed to doa particular job and always stored on mass storage devices |
| Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) | this was invented to consolidate the various sound signals used on a computer. It comes in coaxial and optical versions |
| speakers/headphones | provides for sound output |
| system unit | another name for the actual computer box, the part that does all of the processing, storage and that all of the peripherals connect to |
| trackball | pointing device distinguished by a ball that is rolled with the fingers |
| universal serial bus (USB) | most common general-purpose connector used for peripherals such as mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, printers. three sizes: A, B, and mini-B |
| Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) | group of computer manufacturers that standardized improvements to common IBM PC componenets and is responsible for the Super VGA video standard and the VLB bus architechture |
| USB A | rectangular shaped connector, end of the USB cable that attaches to the computer |
| USB B | other end of the USB cable that does not attaches to the computer, but attaches to a device such as a printer |
| mini-B | a USB B connector that is smaller for smaller peripherals such as cameras |
