IT Terminology

Typical PC and Information Technology Jargon Explained.

We hope you find the following useful. Here we explain everyday computer jargon in straightforward terms. All you need to know to help understand your latest PC or laptop purchase is here.

Processor

The processor (often called the CPU) is the brain of your PC. This is where the majority of the work happens. Essentially, all the data (made up in it most elementary form of digital "bits") are handled, or "processed" here.

A processor comprises :

CU - (Control Unit) which places in sequence, controls and times the other functions of the CPU.
ALU - (Arithmetic Logic Unit). This carries out simple mathematical equations on the binary data stored inside the data registers.
Registers - these are temporary memory locations which hold digital data and store the results of ALU calculations. There are also memory address registers which hold certain instructions on where data is held in the system.
BUS - this carries data between the memory and registers.

CPU Family

Processors (or CPUs) are defined in terms of particular groupings or types, according to upgrades in their technical configurations. These types are given branded "Family" names.

For example: The Core 2 brand refers to a range of Intel's consumer dual-core and quad-core (2x2) 64-bit x86-64 CPUs based on the Intel Core micro-architecture. This in turn derived from the 32-bit dual-core Yonah laptop processor.

The release of the Core 2 achieved two main results. Firstly, to relegate the Pentium brand to a lower-cost solution, Secondly, to reunify the laptop and desktop CPU lines separated by the Pentium M and Pentium 4 brands.

CPU Speed

Processor (or CPU) speed is measured in megahertz. A 1MHz CPU can accomplish one million CPU cycles in one second.

However, a 2MHz CPU is not necessarily twice as fast as a 1Mhz CPU, because actual system speed is a combination of processor speed AND work accomplished per cycle. A 1MHz CPU might very well be faster, in practice, than the 2Mhz CPU - if it is more efficient or can process more tasks in each CPU cycle.

Storage

Computer data storage equates to the function of information retention. These days, the term "storage" today commonly refers to mass storage - optical discs, forms of magnetic storage like hard disks, and other types slower than RAM, but of a permanent nature. Historically, memory and storage were respectively called primary storage and secondary storage.

"Computer data storage", "computer memory", and also "storage" or "memory" all refer to computer components, devices and recording media that retain digital data used for computing for some interval of time.

In contemporary usage, "storage" refers to data retention for permanent use, whilst "memory” usually refers to random access memory (RAM) and sometimes other forms of fast but temporary storage.

Hard Disk Size

This figure, usually defined in Gb (Gigabytes) refers to the maximum data capacity for permanent storage of files in the computer system.

RAM

This is the main memory in the computer, and is where the computer stores the data it needs when a program is used. RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and gets its name from the ability to allow the system to access any data stored in the memory in any location at any time. This memory is often referred to as Volatile (power dependent). i.e. when the power is isolated the data is lost.

RAM comes in many different packages and there are many different types of RAM all designed to be compatible with a certain system.

Memory Size

The figure, defined in Mb or Gb, refers the to maximum capacity available to hold data in memory whilst the computer is powered-up.

Maximum RAM

This figure, defined in Mb or Gb, refers to the maximum potential capacity - including chip additions - of the system motherboard to provide working memory to the computer system on power-up.

Operating System

The term “Operating System” refers to the main software of a computer system for instance Windows, MAC-OS etc. This software controls all additionally installed programs.