What is Context Switching in OS? Context switching in the operating system signifies the storage of the state or context of a specific process in such a way that it can be reloaded whenever it is needed to resume execution right from where it was left. In technical terms, this is a process that involves …
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What is Coprocessor? A coprocessor is another type of processor used for a special purpose. This basically helps the Central Processing Unit or the CPU of the computer to carry out special operations such as computer graphics, math operations, and encryption. In simple words, a coprocessor is a supplementary processor that offloads the main processor …
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What is Concurrent Computing? Concurrent computing, or concurrency, refers to a process where several calculations within the same time frame are made. It describes the process of managing several threads or programs on a single computing system. Concurrency is based on the concept of multiple processes or threads that help in performing a task without …
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What is Clock Pulse? A clock pulse, also referred to as CP sometimes, indicates the vibration of the quartz crystal found inside a computer. The primary function of it is to synchronize the different timings of different hardware components. In technical terms, a clock pulse in a computer, like in all other synchronous digital circuits …
What is Clock Doubling? Clock doubling is a technology used in the processors to initiate information at a speed double than the usual speed of the bus. KEY TAKEAWAYS Clock doubling is a process where the clock multiplier of the CPU is actually increased. The process actually changes the frequency inside the CPU, and it …
What is CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)? Complex Instruction Set Computer, or CISC refers to the standard of computers designed to support up to two hundred instructions. Basically, it refers to the classification of a specific design of microprocessor. Technically, the CISC structure consists of a large number of personal computer instructions including very easy, …
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What is Clock Cycle? A clock cycle is the measurement of time between two pulses of an oscillator, and in a computer processor, it is this measure that determines the speed of its operation. Technically, a clock cycle indicates one increment of the Central Processing Unit or CPU clock while executing the smallest unit of …
What is Celeron? Celeron is the brand name of Intel processors that are used for basic computing on budget personal computers. Most of these processors are based on different versions of the Pentium because this variant is the successor to the Pentium II CPUs. Technically, these are the particular CPUs that are designed on the …
What is Column Address Strobe (CAS)? Column Address Strobe, or CAS signifies the signal sent to the RAM by the CPU or any other type of hardware device such as a video card. This is actually the information about the column in the memory where the data requested is stored. In simple words, the CAS …
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What is Branch Prediction? Branch prediction in a CPU design refers to the process which guesses the result of a conditional function and organizes the most expected result. This action is performed by a digital circuit called the branch predictor. Also known as branch predication or simply predication, this is an important process that reduces …
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What is BGA (Ball Grid Array)? Ball Grid Array, or BGA, refers to a memory chip with small solder balls fixed on the bottom for mounting. In simple words, the BGA does not have pins like the PGA or Pin Grade Array. Technically, BGA follows a specific type of Surface Mount Technology or SMT in …
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What is GHz (Gigahertz)? Gigahertz, or GHz refers to the clock frequency of the computer processor or Central Processing Unit while processing data. One GHz represents 1 billion cycles per second. Technically, it refers to the cycle of time, which is also known as clock speed or clock rate, in which the CPU operates to …
What is Machine Cycle? Machine cycle refers to the steps performed by the processor of the computer to execute an instruction after it is received and consists of T states. Technically, it refers to the time taken by the processor to complete a single operation which involves accessing I/O, memory, or acknowledging a peripheral request. …
What is Intel Atom? The Intel Atom refers to a specific family of computer processors with low power and is designed specifically for using in the smaller mobile devices. From a technical viewpoint, Intel Atom refers to the line of ultra low voltage processors with the IA-32 and x86-64 instruction sets. KEY TAKEAWAYS Designed and …
What is Athlon? Athlon refers to the brand name of the processors designed and produced by Advanced Micro Devices or AMD that are compatible with a series of x86 microprocessors. From a technical point of view, the term refers to the 32-bit processors built on the K7 microarchitecture of AMD that offer a high performance. …
What is Asymmetric Multiprocessing? Asymmetric multi-processing in computers signifies the process of using several processors in an operation but all of them are not treated equally. In an asymmetric method of processing, completely different tasks are handled by the processors. This means that when one processor works on the operating system tasks, another CPU may …
What is ARM Processor? The ARM processor refers to the 32-bit RISC microprocessor. Technically, it means that it is based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computer Instruction Set Architecture or ISA. In simple words, it signifies the processor technology. KEY TAKEAWAYS The ARM processors are built on RISC instruction set architecture but offer a lot …
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What is APU (Accelerated Processing Unit)? APU, or Accelerated Processing Unit, refers to the chip in which both the Central Processing Unit and the Graphics Processing Unit are present on the same die. This is a general purpose processor and is usually considered as a System on a Chip or SoC which contains different processing …
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What is Adder? In the world of computers, an adder may refer to a specific component in the processor that adds two numbers according to the instructions given. Technically, it refers to the electronic circuit that adds the amplitudes of the input signals. KEY TAKEAWAYS An adder in a computer is a digital circuit in …
What is Processing in Computer? With respect to a computer, processing refers to the actions performed by the processor after it receives an instruction or command from the user. It also refers to extracting data from a stored file and manipulating software. Technically, data processing is a part of the Input, Processing, Output, and Storage …
What is Accumulator? An accumulator in reality refers to a register in the CPU or Central Processing Unit. This is actually a temporary storage that saves the intermediate values of the logical and mathematical calculations or an operation and overwrites them later when needed. From a technical point of view, an accumulator, just like a …
What is a Computer Instruction? Computer instructions typically refer to the set of codes that are usually given to the computer processor. These instructions contain several steps or processes to be carried out by the processor. In terms of computer science and technology, a set of instructions refers to the single operation to be executed …
What is Control Unit? A control unit or CU refers to the circuitry responsible for controlling or directing the operations performed within the processor of a computer. It basically tells the memory, logic unit, and the input and output devices how exactly they should respond to the instructions given and required by a program. From …
What is VRM (Voltage Regulator Module)? VRM or Voltage Regulator Module theoretically refers to the small circuit on the motherboard of a computer that supplies the right amount of voltage required by the processor and regulates its supply. Technically, this module indicates a buck connector that keeps the power supply to the components consistent. It …
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What is VMEbus? VMEbus refers to the particular standard of computer bus developed by Motorola with the primary intention to use in the Motorola 68000 line of processors. Also used widely for several other applications later, this bus was standardized as ANSI/IEEE 1014-1987 by the IEC. Technically, this standard is based on the physical sizes …
What is Nano-ITX? Nano-ITX is another version of the Information Technology eXtended form factor of motherboards. Technically, like most others, this form factor is developed on the x86 industry standard architecture. This is a later ITX version and comes with an even more compact size and configuration, making it smaller than Mini-ITX form factor. KEY …
What is USB Header? USB header refers to the pin connection or physical connectors located on the motherboard that allows increasing connections to the computer by adding more USB ports. In simple words, these headers are the dedicated USB connectors on the motherboard that are usually used for the USB ports in the front panel. …
What is Motherboard Standoff? A motherboard standoff refers to the small specially designed object that looks like a screw on one end and has threads to fix it on the computer case. The other end of it has a cavity with threads inside it to screw the motherboard onto it. Placed between the motherboard and …
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What is SMBus (System Management Bus)? System Management Bus or SMBus is a deviation from the I2C or Inter Integrated Circuit bus technology. However, it needs stricter protocol and electrical conventions. This is technically a simple, single-ended, two-wire bus that allows communicating with the power supply for ON/OFF instructions and is usually located on the …
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What is Pico-ITX? Pico-ITX signifies a particular form factor for motherboards. It was originally designed by VIA Technologies in January 2007 and is available in different versions. It is small in size, measuring just 10 cm by 7.2 cm. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Pico-ITX boards are smaller than Mini-ITX and the Nano-ITX form factors, the two …
