Computer Terminology

CPU - Central Processing Unit

The brains of the computer so to speak. This a usually a fairly small, in size, chip that does all of the work in your computer.

HDD - Hard Drive Disk

This is the long term storage of your computer. The information is stored by magnetising metal platters inside the drive.

RAM - Random Access Memory

This is the short term storage for your computer. The information stored in RAM is used by the computer while it is running. RAM cannot retain any information without power thus any information it contains must be copied to the HDD before the PC is switched off. There are various types of RAM chips:

EDO - very old style RAM as found in 486's.
SDRAM - newer style RAM which was used by most Pentium class processors up to P-IV.
DDR - used by most corrent computers AMD Athlons and most P-IV.
Rambus - Initially used by P-IV but superseeded in most cases by DDR.

GPU - Graphics Processing Unit

This chip is found on most modern grapgics card and it is designed to reduce the work load of the CPU by processing the graphics information on the video card without the help of the CPU.

LAN - Local Area Network

This is a way two or more computers can communicate with each other. LANs are by definition are local and therefore usually confined within the same building. Most modern LANs use CAT5e cable and 10/100 Network cards. The recent times have seen the emergence of wireless LANs which communicate via radio signals.

WAN - Wide Area Network

This type of network is very similar to LAN except it cover a much greater area. One common example of a WAN is the Internet. WAN usually utilises existing infrastructure to communicate over long distances. The main means of communications is via the telephone system although in some contries there have been attemts at using power cables and other media to transfer data between PCs.