Too often I hear people new to computers tossing around technical terms that they obviously do not understand. Using terms you aren't familiar with will confuse you even more, and if you're going to be spending big bucks on a new computer, you darn well better know what you're buying -- and that means understanding the terminology you're confronted with.

It never hurts to ask; you won't look like an idiot if you ask for a technical definition, but you will definitely look like an idiot if you use the wrong word in the wrong situation. I've heard people ask questions like, "Do you have any ATX formfactors? My computer needs a new ATX formfactor, and no one seems to have one," and "Is that CPU a frontside bus? I don't want a CPU that isn't a frontside bus." So here are five terms that you've probably heard before but might not fully understand:

1. Obsolete. This is the most misused word in the history of computing. I couldn't guess as to how many times I've heard people say that "computers are obsolete before you even buy them." This is not only completely false, but also completely absurd. Obsolete means that the equipment in question is no longer valid or able to be used in a modern context. Obsolete equipment is a piece of hardware that can no longer be used because the technology it uses is too old to work with modern equipment. Some examples of obsolete computer hardware: AT power supplies, ISA modems, ESDI hard drives, CGA monitors, and SIMM memory.

2. CPU. This is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit and it refers to the computer's microprocessor. It does not refer to your chassis or computer case. I'm sure you're familiar with Intel and AMD, the two most popular CPU manufacturers in the PC market.

3. Memory. System memory is another term for RAM, or Random Access Memory. It is the temporary space that the CPU uses to perform its calculations. It is not a hard drive or other kind of permanent or removable storage device. Video cards also have memory, which is much like the system memory only it is used specifically for the graphics processor.

4. Frontside Bus. Sometimes this is abbreviated to FSB, and it is the name of the physical pathway between the CPU and the RAM. These days processors freely list the speed of their frontside bus, and that can make things a little more complicated when looking at different CPUs. The higher the frontside bus speed, the higher your memory bandwidth will be, and that translates into better performance. Intel Pentium4 CPUs can handle four instructions per clock cycle, so the frontside bus speed is essentially quadroupled or "quad-pumped." That means that an 800FSB CPU actually has a core FSB speed of 200mhz. AMD 32-bit processors are generally double-pumped and the AMD64-based CPUs have integrated memory controllers and therefore don't need to have a frontside bus at all.

5. ATX Formfactor. This refers to the size, shape, and power requirements of a motherboard, power supply, and chassis. Motherboards come in four basic formfactors: ATX, micro-ATX, flex-ATX, and ITX. The latter two are used in small, specially designed cases like the Shuttle XPC. Micro-ATX is a smaller version of ATX, but generally supports the same hardware and peripherals as its slightly larger cousin. Power supplies are almost all ATX except for the ones that power ITX systems. All modern mid-tower and full-tower cases conform to the ATX standard; the exceptions are the tiny chassis that are designed for flex-ATX and ITX motherboards and power supplies. For more information on formfactors, visit www.formfactors.org or check out my comprehensive article on formfactors and architectures.

Even the experts have to keep up-to-date on the newest industry terms and standards, so don't feel bad if it's a little overwhelming to be confronted by so much new information when looking into buying a computer. Your best bet is to get some literature on the computer or computer parts you want to buy, or to write down what the salesman is telling you. Anyone who is in sales in the computer industry is used to fielding a lot of questions and usually has good explanations to offer you, so don't feel at all intimidated to ask if you are unsure of a particular definition. After all, it's better to admit you don't know and walk away smarter than it is to pretend you know and walk away embarrassed.

For information on technical terms online, go to www.whatis.com or just visit our forums (click the Forum link to your left) here at The Jem Report and ask away.

Discuss this article or get technical support on our forum.

Copyright 2003 Jem Matzan. Verbatim copying and redistribution of this entire article are permitted without royalty in any medium provided this notice is preserved.