3D Acceleration
3-D images are essentially created by taking numerous numbers of polygons (shapes) and using them to create a larger image. Then textures (images) are placed over the complex polygonal creation in order to a sense of realism to the 3D object. What 3D acceleration does is allow the video card to compute some of the complex equations required for 3D rendering and image manipulation. Since many games use 3D graphics a video card with fast 3D acceleration is a must for the gamer.

AGP (Advanced Graphics Port)
AGP is a system bus specification that enables 3-D graphics to display quickly on ordinary personal computers. AGP is a special interface designed by Intel to process 3-D images (for example, 3D images, Internet images) much more quickly and smoothly than was previously possible. AGP is capable at operating at speeds up to 8X that of the older PCI bus. Unlike PCI and ISA the AGP bus is designed solely for the use of Video Cards.

CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory)
CD-ROM is an optical storage device, which can read data off Compact Disks, the same format you use to listen to all of your music. Computer data can be stored on CDs because they are an all-digital format just like computer data.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)
CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the microprocessor or the 'brains' behind the computer. This silicon-based chip performs most of the processing required to run and maintain a PC. Generally, this processor runs at very high speeds, typically in the hundreds of megahertz (Mhz).

Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory (DVDROM) drive
Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory (DVDROM) drive is a peripheral device that reads DVD discs. The DVD technology incorporates video, data, and audio into a versatile disc that is far superior than the compact disc.

Dual In-Line Memory Module (DIMM)
Dual In-Line Memory Module is a packaging type for memory chips. This packaging design uses a 168-pin, which indicates the number of lead (or ‘pin’) connections, configuration to interface with the motherboard.

Hard Drive
Hard Drives (also known as a disk drive) are storage devices, containing hard disks, that stores and provides quick access to large amounts of data on an electromagnetically charged surface. The hard disk is a set of stacked disks that has data stored electromagnetically in concentric circles or ‘tracks’ on the disk.

MegaHertz (Mhz)
MegaHertz is an engineering term used for measuring clock cycles per second. One Hertz is equivalent to one clock cycle; so one mega-hertz equals one million cycles per second. Typically, Hertz is used as a measurement for microprocessor, graphics card, and monitor refresh rate speeds.

PCI (Peripheral Connection Interface)
PCI is a standard system bus that is associated with Pentium class computers and higher. It allows 32 bits at a time to flow between the motherboard, expansion slots and the CPU. PCI was designed by Intel to overcome the speed problems associated with older bus Architectures.

RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM (Random Access Memory) is a temporary storage location where the operating system (i.e. Windows 98), application programs, and data in current use is stored so that they can be quickly accessed by the computer's processor. RAM is called "random access" because any storage location can be accessed directly. RAM is much faster to read from and write to than the other kinds of storage such as the hard drive or floppy drive. However, the data in RAM remains there only as long as your computer is running. When you turn the computer off, RAM loses its data. RAM is measured by access times in nanoseconds (ns). The lower the access times, the faster the RAM is. 

SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) is a standard for communication between a wide variety of internal and external devices, including scanners, hard disks, CDROMs, CD-Recorders, and many other high performance peripherals. This interface’s most advantageous feature is its speed. The SCSI interface allows a wide bandwidth for faster transfer and reliability during the transfer of data. There are several versions of this standard: SCSI, SCSI 2, and Ultra-Wide SCSI (each version faster than the previous).

Sound Card
A sound card is an expansion device that takes the digital audio signals created by the computer and converts them into an analog signal capable of being outputted to the computers speaker system. Some sound cards are capable of outputting audio to more than two speakers and creating a “surround” sound effect. All current generation sound cards are capable of producing CD-Quality digital audio.

Video Card
The Video card is an expansion device that provides digital-to-analog conversion, video memory, and a video controller so that data can be sent to and constantly refreshed for a computer's display.

Video RAM
(Video Random Access Memory) Video RAM is at it’s most basic a buffer between the Video Card and the computer system. When the Video Card requires a specific graphic image it is quicker for it to already have that image in it’s buffer of Video Memory. Video memory can be almost any type of RAM that is available on the retail market. 

xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
xDSL is a technology for bringing high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. xDSL refers to different variations of
DSL, such as ADSL, HDSL, and RADSL. Assuming your home or small business is close enough to a telephone company central office that offers DSL service, you may soon be able to receive data at rates up to 6.1 megabits (millions of bits) per second (of a theoretical 8.448 megabits per second), enabling continuous transmission of motion video, audio, and even 3-D effects. More typically, individual connections will provide from 1.544 Mbps to 512 Kbps downstream and about 128 Kbps upstream. A DSL line can carry both data and voice signals and the data part of the line is continuously connected.