Here’s a glossary of PC (Personal Computer) terms and abbreviations, covering hardware, software, peripherals, networking, and gaming. This is designed as a master reference for IT professionals, gamers, PC builders, and tech retailers.
🖥 PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC) GLOSSARY
A
AC / Alternating Current – Standard electrical power supplied to PCs.
AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) – Mode for SATA drives improving speed and compatibility.
API (Application Programming Interface) – Set of protocols for software communication.
ATX / Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX – Standard motherboard and case form factors.
ARGB / RGB Lighting – Addressable or standard color lighting in components.
B
BIOS / UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) – Low-level system firmware controlling hardware before OS loads.
Bootloader / Boot Sequence – Program that initializes OS startup.
Bloatware – Pre-installed software that may not be needed.
Buffer / Cache – Temporary memory storage to improve performance.
Bus / Data Bus – Path for transferring data between components.
C
CPU (Central Processing Unit) – Main processor executing instructions.
Cache Memory – High-speed memory in CPU for frequently accessed data.
Chipset – Motherboard circuitry managing communication between CPU, GPU, RAM, and peripherals.
Case / Chassis – Physical enclosure for PC components.
Cooling / Heatsink / Fan / Liquid Cooling – Systems to manage component temperatures.
D
DDR / DDR2 / DDR3 / DDR4 / DDR5 – Types of RAM memory modules.
Dedicated GPU / Discrete GPU – Graphics card separate from CPU.
Driver / Software Driver – Software allowing OS to communicate with hardware.
Drive / Storage Device – HDD, SSD, NVMe for data storage.
DisplayPort / HDMI / DVI / VGA – Video output interfaces.
E
Ethernet / NIC (Network Interface Card) – Wired network connectivity.
eMMC / SSD / NVMe – Flash-based storage technologies.
External Drive / USB Drive – Portable storage solutions.
Encryption / BitLocker – Securing data by encoding it.
Expansion Slot / PCIe – Connector on motherboard for additional hardware.
F
FPS / Frame Rate – Frames per second in gaming or graphics.
Firmware – Embedded software controlling hardware devices.
Form Factor – Physical size and layout of motherboard or components.
Front Panel Connectors – USB, audio, power switches connected to motherboard.
Fan Curve – Adjustable fan speed profile for cooling.
G
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) – Processor dedicated to rendering graphics.
Gigabyte (GB) / Terabyte (TB) – Units of storage or memory size.
GHz / Clock Speed – CPU operating frequency.
Gaming PC – System optimized for high-performance gaming.
GPU Acceleration – Using GPU for non-graphics tasks like rendering or AI.
H
Heatpipe / Vapor Chamber – Advanced cooling techniques for CPUs and GPUs.
High-Performance Mode / Overclocking – Boosting CPU/GPU beyond rated speed.
Hybrid Drive / SSHD – Combination of HDD and SSD storage.
Hot-Swap – Replacing components (like drives) without shutting down.
Hyper-Threading / SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) – CPU technology allowing multiple threads per core.
I
I/O (Input/Output) – Ports and interfaces for peripherals.
Integrated GPU – Graphics processing built into CPU.
Intel / AMD – Major CPU manufacturers.
IP / MAC Address – Network identification for devices.
Interrupt / IRQ (Interrupt Request) – Signal from hardware to CPU to prioritize tasks.
J
Joystick / Game Controller – Input devices for gaming or simulation.
Jump List / Quick Access – Windows feature for fast file or app access.
K
Kernel / Operating System Core – Software managing hardware and software interactions.
KB / Keybinding – Keyboard input or assigned shortcuts.
Kill Switch / Emergency Power Off – Safety mechanism to shut down PC instantly.
L
LAN / Local Area Network – Network connecting multiple devices in a small area.
Latency / Ping – Delay in data transmission; important in gaming.
Liquid Cooling / AIO (All-In-One) – Closed-loop water cooling for CPUs or GPUs.
Logical Drive / Partition – Subdivision of storage for OS and data.
Loadout / Profile – Pre-configured hardware or software settings for specific tasks.
M
Motherboard / Mainboard – PCB connecting CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and peripherals.
Modular PSU / Power Supply Unit – PSU allowing detachable cables for neat builds.
Memory / RAM (Random Access Memory) – Temporary data storage for active processes.
M.2 / NVMe / SATA – Storage connection types.
Monitor / Display / Refresh Rate – Output device specs and performance.
N
Networking / Wi-Fi Adapter – Connectivity devices for wired or wireless networks.
Noise Level / Acoustic Profile – Sound output of fans, pumps, or case vibrations.
Notebook / Laptop / Ultrabook – Portable personal computers.
NAND / Flash Storage – Type of storage memory used in SSDs.
Native Resolution – Maximum resolution a display can render accurately.
O
Overclock / OC – Running components at higher speed than rated.
Optical Drive / DVD / Blu-Ray – Media reading/writing device.
Operating System (OS) – Software managing hardware and running applications.
Output Device / Audio / Display – Hardware receiving signals from PC.
Overvoltage / Undervoltage Protection – PSU or motherboard safety features.
P
PCIe / PCI Express Slot – High-speed interface for expansion cards.
PSU / Power Supply Unit – Converts AC to DC to power PC components.
Peripheral / Input Device – Keyboard, mouse, webcam, or external storage.
Patch / Update / Hotfix – Software updates for security or functionality.
Ping / Latency – Time for data to travel across network, affecting online gaming.
Q
Quick Sync / Intel Quick Sync Video – Hardware video encoding/decoding.
Queue / Task Queue – Ordered list of processes awaiting execution.
R
RAM / Memory Modules – Short-term memory for running programs.
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) – Storage configuration for redundancy or speed.
RGB Lighting / ARGB – LED lighting features on PC components.
Resolution / 1080p / 4K / 8K – Display clarity measurement.
Refresh Rate / Hz – Number of display updates per second.
S
SSD / Solid State Drive – High-speed storage device with no moving parts.
Socket / CPU Socket – Motherboard connector for CPU.
Swap File / Page File – Disk storage used as virtual memory.
Streaming / Capture Card – Tools to broadcast or record gameplay/video.
Sound Card / DAC – Audio processing hardware.
T
Thermal Paste / TIM (Thermal Interface Material) – Conductive material improving heat transfer.
Thunderbolt / USB-C – High-speed interface for data, video, and power.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module) – Security chip for encryption and authentication.
Tower Case / Mini Tower / Full Tower – PC form factor types.
Throughput / Bandwidth – Data transfer capacity of bus, storage, or network.
U
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) – Battery backup for power outages.
USB / USB Hub – Universal connectivity port.
Update / Patch Management – Maintaining current software/firmware.
Uptime / System Stability – Duration PC has been running without restart.
UEFI Secure Boot – Security standard to prevent unauthorized OS boot.
V
VR / Virtual Reality Ready – PC specifications sufficient for VR applications.
Video Card / GPU – Hardware processing graphics.
Virtual Memory / Paging – Disk space used as RAM extension.
Voltage Regulation / VRM – Hardware controlling stable CPU/GPU power.
V-Sync / G-Sync / FreeSync – Display technologies to prevent screen tearing.
W
Wi-Fi / Wireless Adapter – Network connectivity without cables.
Workstation PC – High-performance system for professional applications.
Watt / Power Consumption – Energy usage of components.
Windows / Linux / macOS – Common operating systems.
Wake-on-LAN / Remote Boot – Feature to power on PC remotely.
X
XMP / Extreme Memory Profile – Preconfigured memory settings for optimal performance.
X86 / X64 Architecture – Processor instruction set types.
eXtended / Expansion Cards – Add-on cards for extra functionality.
Y
Y-Cable / Splitter Cable – Cable splitting signal or power between components.
Yield / Failure Rate – Percentage of defective components during manufacturing.
Z
Zero-Day / Vulnerability – Security flaw exploited before a patch is released.
Z-Height / Clearance – Space inside case for GPU, CPU cooler, or other components.
Zip Drive / Legacy Storage – Older removable storage format.
Published 17th Feb 2026