| A | B |
|---|
| address bus | set of wires that enable the CPU to communicate with the MCC (memory controller chip) |
| arithmetic logic unit (ALU) | CPU logic circuits that perform basic math |
| backside bus | wires connecting CPU to Level 2 cache |
| binary | number system of base 2 using 1's and 0's (1 signifies ON and 0 signifies Off) |
| bit | a single binary digit (1 or 0) |
| byte | the basic unit of measurement for computers, which is equal to 8 bits signifying 1 character (such as a letter). |
| cache (Level 1, 2, 3 etc) | special section of fast memory data most frequently accessed by the CPU (usually built into the CPU) |
| central processing unit (CPU) | microprocessor handling primary calculations. |
| Centrino | Marketing name for an Intel laptop solution including the mobile procesor, support chips and wireless networking |
| clock cycle | single charge to the clock wire of a CPU |
| clock multiplying CPU | a CPU that takes the incoming clock signal and multiplies it to make the internal circuitry run faster |
| clock speed | speed at which a CPU executes instructions, measured in MHz or GHz (internal speed is a multiple of external speed) |
| clock (CLK) wire | charge on the CLK wire tells the CPU that another piece of information is waiting to be processed |
| dual-core | a type of CPU that has 2 execution units on the same chip but share caches & RAM |
| dynamic RAM (DRAM) | memory used to store in most PCs. stores each bit in a cell composed of a transistor and a capacitor that only holds a charge for a few milliseconds so is continually refreshed or rewritten to retain its data |
| external data bus (EDB) | Primary data highway of all computers where everything is directly or indirectly tied to it. |
| floating point unit (FPU) | a math coprocessor that calculates by using a floating point math allowing for decimals. |
| frontside bus | wires that connect the CPU to the main system RAM, running at speeds of 66-133 MHz |
| heat dope | paste like material with high heat-transfer properties, applied between CPU & cooling device |
| instruction set | all of the machine language commands that a CPU understands |
| machine language | binary instruction code that is understood by the CPU |
| memory | device or medium for temporary storage of programs and data, measured in KB, MB or GB of RAM |
| memory controller chip (MCC) | handles memory requests from the CPU. It is integrated into the chipset |
| microprocessor | brain of the computer, it is the primary computer chip that determines relative speed and capabilities of the computer |
| multimedia extensions (MMX) | specific CPU instructions enabling the CPU to handle many multimedia functions such as digital signal processing (introduced with the Pentium CPU) |
| overclocking | running a CPU or video processor faster than its rated speed |
| parallel processing | when a multicore CPU proceses more than one thread (smallest logical division of a single program) |
| pipeline | processing methodology where multiple calculations take place simultaneously by being broken into a series of steps |
| program | series of binary electronic commands sent to a CPU to get work done |
| random access memory (RAM) | memory that can be accessed at random and can be written to or read from without the preceding address (distinct location of memory) RAM is often called the main memory |
| register | storage area inside the CPU that is used by the onboard logic to perform calculations. there are many registers to perform different functions |
| single-edge cartridge (SEC) | CPU package in which the CPU was contained in a cartridge that snapped into a special slot on the motherboard called Slot 1 |
| static RAM (SRAM) | RAM that uses a flip-flop circuit rather than the typical transistor/capacitor of DRAM to hold a bit of information. Used primarily for cache, it does not need to be refreshed and is faster than regular DRAM |
| system crystal | provides the speed signals for the CPU and the rest of the system |
| System Management Mode (SMM) | provided the ability to turn off high-power devices (monitors, hard drives, etc) and was originally for laptops |
| throttling | power reduction/thermal control capability, allowing CPUs to slow down during low activity or high heat build-up situations. Intel's version is known as SpeedStep, and AMD's is PowerNow! |
| voltage regulator module (VRM) | small card supplied with some CPUs to ensure that the CPU gets correct voltage. it is not common and must be used with a motherboard specially designed to accept it |
| wait state | occurs when the CPU has to wait for RAM to provide code. also called pipeline stalls |
| zero insertion force (ZIF) socket | socket for CpUs that enables insertion of a chip without the need to apply pressure, a small lever locks it in |
