PC Repair & Custom Build Glossary of Terms

This glossary aims to be understandable for both novice and experienced customers.

General Computing:

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): Firmware that controls the startup process of your computer.

Boot: The process of starting up your computer.

CPU (Central Processing Unit): The "brain" of the computer, responsible for executing instructions.

Driver: Software that allows your operating system to communicate with hardware components.

Firmware: Permanent software embedded in hardware devices.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): A specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device.

Hardware: The physical components of a computer.

Malware: Malicious software designed to harm your computer.

Operating System (OS): Software that manages computer hardware and software resources. Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Peripheral: An external device connected to a computer, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer.

RAM (Random Access Memory): Short-term memory used by the computer to store data that is currently being used.

Software: Programs and applications that run on a computer.

Storage: Devices that store data persistently, such as hard drives and SSDs.

PC Components:

Case: The enclosure that houses the computer components.

Cooling System: Components that dissipate heat from the CPU and other components, including fans, heatsinks, and liquid coolers.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD): A traditional storage device that uses spinning platters to store data.

Motherboard: The main circuit board of a computer, connecting all components.

Power Supply Unit (PSU): Converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer.

Solid State Drive (SSD): A storage device that uses flash memory to store data, offering faster speeds than HDDs.

Custom Builds:

Overclocking: Increasing the clock speed of a component beyond its factory settings for increased performance.

Benchmarking: Testing the performance of a component or system.

Compatibility: Ensuring that all components work together correctly.

Form Factor: The size and shape of a component, such as ATX, microATX, and mini-ITX.

PC Repair:

Diagnostics: Identifying the cause of a computer problem.

Troubleshooting: The process of finding and resolving computer problems.

Virus Removal: Eliminating malware from a computer.

Data Recovery: Retrieving lost or inaccessible data from a storage device.

System Restore: Reverting the operating system to a previous state.

Networking:

Ethernet: A wired networking technology.

Wi-Fi: A wireless networking technology.

Router: A device that forwards data packets between networks.

IP Address: A numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network.

Other:

Warranty: A guarantee provided by the manufacturer or seller covering defects or malfunctions.

RGB Lighting: Customizable lighting for computer components.

Gaming PC: A computer specifically designed for playing video games.

Workstation: A high-performance computer designed for demanding tasks.