PC and PC Component Terms Defined: Tom’s Hardware Glossary

Credit: monticello/ShutterstockKeeping up with the latest PC technology is difficult, but it’s overwhelming if you don’t understand all the jargon you encounter when reading articles and spec sheets. From CPUs to GPUs and their inner workings, to motherboards and their varying parts, different display technologies and types and vendor-created phrases, you can wind up in tech terminology turmoil.

That's why we have developed this handy glossary. With the information below, you can learn the meaning of—or refresh your memory on—commonly used--but often confusing--tech terms. We’ll be adding to the glossary over time as we find more PC terms and phrases that leave us scratching our heads...so you don't have to.

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11 comments

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jpe1701

I'm sure people will be wondering about rasterization and raytracing.
rantoc

Omg you forgot 1440p
Non-Euclidean

How about one on auto-playing videos?
Jake Hall

317373 said:

Omg you forgot 1440p

Well, that's 2k
littleleo

How about:
P2P - Pay to Play (how Tom's make revenue, "Just Buy It")
shrapnel_indie

I know you don't see it often anymore, but where's the definition for HSF (I know you cover the HS portion - Heatsink and the F portion, once you realize it, is "Fan"...
littleleo

RTX - Ridiculously Too eXpensive!
DotNetMaster777

Nice
littleleo

Quote:

I'm sure people will be wondering about rasterization and raytracing.

Hope this helps:
Ray Tracing = Crap
garett444

What is POST?
garett444

What is POST, as it relates to motherboard and start-up, and so forth.

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