CPU, GPU, memory. What does it all mean? Read on to find what is what.
- CPU/Processor: It stands for central processing unit. Think of it as the brain of your computer. It figures out everything and relays tasks across components in your computer. The faster the gigahertz, and the more cores the better.
- Gigahertz: How fast your processor is. E.G. 3.0. It means that it runs at 3,000 cycles per second so it can handle 2x more than a 1.5ghz processor.
- GPU/Graphics Card: It stands for graphical processing unit. It processes the images and video on your computer so they can playback. The faster the speed, the more shaders, and the more memory the better.
- Memory/RAM: It stands for random access memory. Think it as a place for your computer to keep temporary tasks for it to quickly get access to. As soon as you shut down your computer it’s all erased.
- HDD/Hard Drive: It’s the storage place in your computer. It holds all your files in a single place. It operates on a metal platter via magnets. They come in 2.5 inch (laptop), and 3.5 inch (desktop) sizes. The faster (RPM) and the bigger (GB/Gigabytes) the better.
- SSD: It’s the new technology that is replacing hard drives. It is a piece of plastic that holds your data digitally rather than via magnets.
- LCD: Liquid crystal display. It’s the technology that makes your monitor so flat.
- RPM: Revolutions per minute. Its how fast it spins around per a 1 minute period.
- GB/MB/KB/TB: It stands for Gigabyte (1024 megabytes), Megabyte (1024 kilobytes), Kilobyte (1024 bytes), and terabyte (1024 gigabytes). Thing it as a measure for size. An average song (MP3) is 3.5mb so it s 3,500 megabytes.
- MP3/MP4: It’s a music format. MP4 is owned by Apple, and WMA (windows music audio) are owned by Microsoft. They also come in OGG (its open source), and a punch of others. Those are the most common.
- H.264/WMV/Divx: They are all high-definition movie formats. H.264 is apple owned, and WMV is Microsoft owned.
- DVD/CD/BLU-RAY: They are physical media formats. DVD is a digital video disk, CD is a combat disk (it holds audio), and BLU-RAY is a high definition digital video disk (10x clearer and holds more than DVD).
Hoped you got a better explanation of the computer world.
Excellent article on common terms we see every day. For techies like us, it's pretty normal but I know a lot of peeps who would benefit from definition list like this.
@gabe Thanks. And yes a lot of people will benefit from a list like this
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