Glossary of words and terms

Welcome to the GamingPC dictionary! Here you will find the most important words and definitions related to computers, components and gaming. This dictionary will help you to easily navigate the world of modern technologies and choose the ideal equipment for comfortable gaming.

A

API – a set of ready functions for interaction between programs.
ARGB – addressable RGB backlighting, where each LED can be customized separately.
ASMR – a genre of content popular among streamers that evokes pleasant sound sensations.
Airflow – circulation of air inside the case for efficient cooling.

B

Benchmark – a test to measure the performance of a computer or components.
BIOS – the basic input/output system needed to run a PC.
Bitrate – the amount of data transferred per second when recording or streaming.
Power Supply (Block) – a PC component that provides power to all parts of the system.

C

CPU (Processor) – the main computing unit of a computer.
Case – a computer case.
Capture Card – a device for recording or streaming images from other devices.
Cooling System – elements for cooling components.
Chipset – defines the capabilities of a motherboard.
Cloud Services – services that provide access to resources via the Internet.

D

Display – screen for displaying graphical information.
Driver – a program for device interaction with the OS.
Desktop – desktop computer or desktop OS.
DPI – dots per inch, a measure of mouse sensitivity.
Digital Audio – sound in a digital format.

E

Efficient Cooling – a system that keeps components at a stable temperature.
Energy Efficiency – the ratio of power consumption to performance.

F

Fan – an element of a cooling system that provides air circulation.
Frame Rate (FPS) – number of frames per second.
Flash Drive – a portable storage device.
Filtering (Texture) – a method of improving image quality in 3D.

G

Gamepad – controller for controlling games.
Gigabyte (GB) – unit of memory capacity.
Gameplay – the user experience in a game.
Gameplay Design – the process of creating rules, mechanics and scenarios for a game.
GPU (Video Card) – a device for processing graphics and displaying images.

H

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – a device for storing data.
Headphones – a device for playing sound.

I

Interface – the way a user interacts with a device or program.
Integrated Graphics – a graphics system built into the processor or motherboard.
Image Quality – a characteristic of clarity and detail of a picture.

K

Keyboard – a device for inputting information.

L

License – an official document that authorizes the use of software.
Launcher – a program for running games.
Latency – the time between an action and its display on the screen.

M

Motherboard – the main board of a PC to which all components are connected.
Mouse – a device for navigating with a cursor.
Monitor – a screen for displaying an image.
Microphone – a device for recording voice or sound.

N

Network Router – a device used to distribute an Internet connection.

O

Overclocking – boosting the performance of CPU, GPU, or RAM.
Optimization – tweaking to improve performance.

P

Peripherals – additional devices such as mice, keyboards, printers.
Performance – a measure of a device’s power.
PC Assembly – the process of selecting and installing computer components.
Power Supply – provides power to all parts of the system.

R

RAM (Random Access Memory) – temporary data storage for faster performance.
Resolution – determines the clarity of an image.
RAID – technology for combining multiple drives.
Refresh Rate – the number of times a monitor image is updated per second.

S

Server – a computer for storing and processing data.
Sound Card – a device for processing audio signals.
Soundtrack – the musical accompaniment to a game.
SSD – Solid State Drive.
Streaming – video or audio in real time.
Shaders – programs for processing graphic effects.

T

Terabyte (TB) – a unit of data size (1024 GB).
Thermal Paste – material to improve heat transfer between processor and cooler.
Texture Filtering – improves image quality in 3D rendering.
Technical Specifications – parameters of components.

U

Ultra Wide Monitor – a monitor with an aspect ratio greater than 21:9.
UPS – uninterruptible power supply.
USB – universal port for connecting devices.
Unit (Rack) – a conventional unit for measuring the size of server hardware.

V

VR (Virtual Reality) – technology for creating an artificial 3D environment.
Video Card (GPU) – processes graphics and displays images on the screen.

W

Webcam – a device for recording video and streaming.

X

XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) – technology to automatically overclock RAM.

Y

YouTube Streaming – live streaming video content via YouTube.

Z

Zero RPM Mode – fan mode where cooling fans stop at low load.

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