Intel Processors (Glossary of Technical Terms)

Glossary Definitions Architecture The basic design of a microprocessor. It may include process technology and/or other architectural enhancements. Chipset The motherboard chipset consists of a "Northbridge", or Memory Controller Hub (MCH), which is responsible for controlling communication between system memory, the processor, AGP, and the south bridge, or I/O Controller Hub (ICH). The ICH controls communication between PCI devices, system management bus, ATA devices, AC'97, USB, IEEE1394 (firewire), and LPC controller. [These controllers are soldered onto the motherboard and annot be changed or upgraded.] Clock Speed (GHz/MHz) The speed of the processor's internal clock, which dictates how fast the processor can process data. Clock speed is usually measured in GHz (gigahertz, or billions of pulses per second). Front Side Bus The connecting path between the processor and other key components such as the memory controller hub. FSB speed is measured in GHz or MHz. L2 Cache The size of 2nd level cache. L2 Cache is ultra-fast memory that buffers information being transferred between the processor and the system RAM in order to streamline these transfers. Wireless The ability to connect digital devices, to local or wide area networks (LAN/WAN), or the Internet, without the use of wires. LAN (Local Area Network): A data transmission facility connecting a number of communicating devices (computers, terminals and printers) within a single room, building, campus or other limited geographical area.