Webopedia - a great on-line resource for computer terms.

Glossaries List - on Microsoft.com

Important hardware terminology:

CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The 'brains' of a computer and the place where most calculations are done. The CPU speed is important, but so is the system bus speed of the chipset on the motherboard and speed of the RAM. Correctly matching all these speeds (and using high-quality components) is the key to stability.

Hard drive or disc - large, slower memory storage that is kept on internal discs and is not erased when the computer is shut off. Usually comes in sizes such as 30 gigabytes (notebooks) or 80 gigabytes (desktops). Think of the hard drive as a memory 'closet'. When the CPU needs to use a file or program stored on the hard drive, it takes the data out of the hard drive (slower and cheaper) and puts it in to RAM (faster and expensive). Hard drives can also be connected externally through various devices such as USB or RAID controllers.

Modem - An internal or external device that allows you to make dial-up network connections.

Motherboard or mainboard - This is literally where it all comes together. It contains the chipset (a.k.a. North Bridge controller) that controls most functions of the system. If you hear someone discussing terms like, "Intel 845PE" or "Intel 850E", they are discussing chipsets. The chipset has a system bus speed which is not to be confused with CPU speed. Think of the chipset (and it's speed) as the traffic cop and the data (driven by the CPU) as cars.

Networking card (NIC) - An internal card that allows you to hook up to a network.

RAM (Random Access Memory) - fast, expensive memory that is erased when the computer is shut off. For example, the minimum recommended RAM for a system running Windows XP is 256 megabytes. RAM has a speed as well, which ideally should match the system bus speed.

Sound card - The sound card is what the speakers are plugged into. Some motherboards have built in sound chips, making a sound card redundant - unless you have surround sound speakers and want true surround sound from a DVD-ROM.

Video card - The video card is what the monitor plugs into. Some motherboards have built in video chips, thus not requiring a seperate video card (primarily intended for basic office computers). Games are one of the most demanding applications on a home computer, and the video card is one of the decisive factors in determining the speed and resolution of play.

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