Graphics Processing Unit
/ˌdʒiː-piː-ˈjuː/
n. “The processor built for crunching graphics and parallel tasks.”
GPU, short for Graphics Processing Unit, is a specialized processor designed to accelerate rendering of images, video, and animations for display on a computer screen. Beyond graphics, modern GPUs are also used for parallel computation in fields like machine learning, scientific simulations, and cryptocurrency mining.
Key characteristics of GPU include:
Accelerated Graphics Port
/ˌeɪ-dʒiː-ˈpiː/
n. “The dedicated graphics highway of early PCs.”
AGP, short for Accelerated Graphics Port, is a high-speed point-to-point channel introduced in 1997 for connecting graphics cards to a computer’s motherboard. It was designed specifically to improve the performance of 3D graphics by providing a direct pathway between the GPU and system memory, bypassing the slower shared PCI bus.
Key characteristics of AGP include:
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
/ˌpiː-siː-aɪ-iː/
n. “The high-speed lane that connects your computer’s components.”
PCIe, short for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is a high-speed interface standard used to connect expansion cards (such as graphics cards, NVMe SSDs, network cards) directly to a computer’s motherboard. It replaced older PCI and AGP standards by providing faster data transfer rates, lower latency, and scalable lanes for bandwidth-intensive components.
Key characteristics of PCIe include:
XIP
/ɛks-aɪ-pi/
n. “Running code directly from non-volatile memory without copying it to RAM first.”
XIP, short for eXecute In Place, is a technique used in computing where programs are executed directly from non-volatile memory, such as NOR flash, rather than being loaded into RAM. This approach reduces RAM usage, speeds up startup times for embedded systems, and simplifies memory management in devices with limited resources.
Key characteristics of XIP include:
NOR
/nɔːr/
n. “The flash memory that’s built for speed and direct access.”
NOR is a type of non-volatile flash memory distinguished by its ability to provide fast random access to individual memory locations. The name comes from the “NOT OR” logic gate that forms its underlying architecture. NOR flash is commonly used in embedded systems, firmware storage, and applications where code must be executed directly from memory, known as XIP (eXecute In Place).
Key characteristics of NOR include:
NAND
/nænd/
n. “The flash memory building block that stores bits without power.”
NAND is a type of non-volatile flash memory commonly used in SSD drives, USB drives, memory cards, and embedded storage. The term comes from the logic gate “NOT AND,” which forms the basis of its internal architecture. NAND memory retains data even when the power is turned off, making it ideal for persistent storage in modern electronics.
Key characteristics of NAND include:
Hard Disk Drive
/ˌeɪtʃ-diː-ˈdiː/
n. “The traditional spinning disk that stores your data magnetically.”
HDD, short for Hard Disk Drive, is a type of data storage device that uses rotating magnetic disks (platters) to store and retrieve digital information. It has been the standard for decades, providing large storage capacities at relatively low cost, but it is slower and more fragile than SSD storage because it relies on mechanical components.
Key characteristics of HDD include:
SSD
/ˌɛs-ɛs-ˈdiː/
n. “The fast storage that has no moving parts.”
SSD, short for Solid-State Drive, is a type of data storage device that uses flash memory to store persistent data. Unlike traditional mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, which allows for faster read/write speeds, lower latency, higher reliability, and reduced power consumption.
Key characteristics of SSD include:
Ethernet
/ˈiːθərˌnɛt/
n. “The wired network that connects computers in a LAN.”
Ethernet is a family of networking technologies used to connect devices in local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and even wide area networks (WANs). It defines the physical and data link layers of the network, including how devices format data, detect collisions, and physically transmit signals over cables or fiber optics.
Key characteristics of Ethernet include:
USB
/ˌjuː-ɛs-ˈbiː/
n. “The universal plug for data and power.”
USB, short for Universal Serial Bus, is an industry standard that defines cables, connectors, and protocols for connecting computers and electronic devices. It enables the transfer of data and supply of electrical power between devices, making it one of the most ubiquitous interfaces in modern computing.
Key characteristics of USB include: