High-Performance PC Terminology

Interested in learning high-performance computer terminology? This information may help when shopping for a high-performance PC, custom gaming computer or home entertainment PC. These are some of the main components in these computers and give explanations of new terminology and what advantages they provide.

CPU: Newer technology Central Processing Units usually run hotter than their predecessors. Along with new CPU’s you will see larger CPU fans and sometimes case standard modifications to accommodate better airflow to help cool the CPU. CPU’s rarely go bad unless they overheat due to poor airflow. This usually caused by bad CPU fan or excessive dust that collects on the CPU fan causing fan failure. Overclocking your CPU also will cause it to run at extreme temperatures. It is imperative to keep the CPU within recommended operating temperatures.

Memory: Modern memory technology is also constantly changing. Modern memory modules usually offer better performance for your computer. DDR2 is currently the memory offering the greatest performance. The memory module inserts into the motherboard memory slots. The motherboard does need to be designed to accommodate the correct memory types. Dual channel memory also offers greater performance than single channel memory. When your computer does not have sufficient memory your data flow will be trapped in a bottleneck not allowing maximum performance from your computer. Adding memory is the best cost effective method of improving your computers performance.

PCI Express Video: Most High-performance PCs or gaming computers use PCI Express expansion slots. The PCIe slots provide up to 30 times the data transfer of the standard PCI bus and will eventually replace all the PCI and AGP slots. PCIe slots come in different lengths in relation to the amount of data they can move.

PCIe x1 slots are equivalent to standard PCI port and are about 1 inch or 26mm in length. Data moves at the speed of about 250 MBps in each direction at once. The PCIe x16 slot currently is the newest technology replacing the AGP graphics-card slot. This slot is about 3.5 inches or 90mm in length. About the same size as a standard PCI slot. The PCI x16 slot moves data up to 16 times faster than the PCIx1 as fast 4GBps in each direction simultaneously.

SATA bus: Serial ATA is the modern technology replacement for the slower ATA or EIDE technology. SATA supports more bandwidth than PATA (Parallel ATA) SATA has been on new motherboards for the past two years along with PATA (EIDE) connectors. SATA connectors are smaller than PATA connectors and will only accommodate one drive per connector. The advantage is you do not have to configure master, slave drive as on the PATA connectors. The SATA cable is also thinner so it does not clutter the inside of your computer case. This allows better airflow for cooling inside your case. You may also find these connectors as an external connector giving a faster connector than a USB or Firewire connection. The power cable to the SATA drive is also a different connector than the PATA standard 5v power connector.

Video and Audio

DVI port: Digital video interface accommodate modern technology monitors. These replace the VGA connectors used by analog CRT and some LCD monitors. DVI delivers digital video.

HDMI port: High Definition Multimedia Interface ports are incorporated in some home entertainment PCs, High-Performance PCs and gaming computers. This modern technology will most probably replace the DVI in the future. The connector resembles a slimmed down USB connector and is easier to handle than the DVI connector. The HDMI does not only deliver digital video but, also digital audio. This technology works great for home entertainment systems.

S/PDIF: Sony/ Philips Digital Interface Format uses a small square connector called a TOSlink connector. This connector is usually on the back of home entertainment PCs, high-performance computers or gaming computers. This carries the digital signal directly from the motherboard to the speakers bypassing any soundcard or external device.

Every digital signal must be converted to analog in order to drive the flexible diaphragm in a speaker that creates the sound. On most computers the sound card converts digital audio to analog signals which are then sent to the speakers. Digital speakers perform the digital to analog conversion inside the speaker. The longer an audio signal stays digital the better the sound quality.

Written by JR Computers Staff