Chipsets
Chipsets
Glossary of terms

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802.11 A set of standards for communication with computers that are part of a wireless LAN. You may see IEEE in front of 802.11. This stands for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Standard are 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a.


A

AA# – Altered Assembly number is the part number for a motherboard and all its attached components
AC'97 – Audio Codec '97 is a specification for a high quality, 16- or 20-bit audio architecture used in many desktop systems
Access point– Stand-alone Wi-Fi hub that allows any computer that has a Wi-Fi network adapter to communicate with another computer and to connect to the Internet.  This device is typically used in an enterprise or corporate environment with a large number of users.
AC/DC power adapter – A device that converts AC power (electrical outlet power) to DC power (battery power)
ACPI – Advanced Configuration and Power Interface is a specification for power management
Adapter– A device used to connect two different components by matching the physical or electrical characteristics of each component
Ad hoc – A communication configuration in which every computer has the same capabilities, and any computer can initiate a communication session.  Also known as a peer-to-peer or computer-to-computer network.
AGP – Accelerated Graphics Port is a port used to connect a computer's graphics card to the motherboard
AHCI – Advanced Host Controller Interface is a specification that defines communication between a storage controller and Serial ATA hard drives
Ambient – When referring to temperature, ambient refers to the temperature of the surrounding air
AMTIntel® Active Management Technology is a feature of specific Intel processors that allows IT to locate, protect, and heal the computer systems on their network
AP – Access Point
API – Application Programming Interface is an interface that allows two independent computer programs to communicate with each other
APM – Advanced Power Management is an API that enables an operating system to work with the BIOS to achieve power management
ASF – Alert Standards Format is a specification for technologies that are used to allow a computer system to be remotely managed and controlled even if an operating system is not present
ASIC – Application-Specific Integrated Circuit is an integrated circuit that has been customized for a particular use
ATA – Advanced Technology Attachment is an interface between storage devices such as hard drives ;and a computer
ATAPI – Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface is a way for CD-ROM devices and tape devices to connect to a computer
ATX – Advanced Technology Extended is a motherboard form factor where the motherboard is typically 9.6x12 inches


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B

BIOS – Basic Input/Output System is the firmware for a computer whose main function is to identify and initialize various motherboard components as well as to load and transfer control to a small program that then loads the operating system
Bit – Binary digit with a value of 0 or 1
Bluetooth – A wireless specification that provides a method for devices such as mobile phones, laptops, computers, and printers to connect and share information with one another over a short-range radio frequency
BOC – Boxed Order Code is the product code for a boxed Intel® processor
Broadband Wi-Fi Router–  Stand-alone Wi-Fi hub that allows any computer that has a Wi-Fi network adapter to communicate with another computer and to connect to the Internet.  This device is typically used in a home or small-office environment with a relatively small number of users.
BT – Bluetooth
BTX – Balanced Technology Extended is a motherboard form factor where the motherboard is typically 12.8x10.5 inches


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C

Cache – A temporary storage area for frequently accessed data
CBB – Common Building Block is a component that has passed a certain level of interchangeability testing with the Verified by Intel® barebone notebook models
Channel – A marketing term for the distribution chain for selling and delivering a product or service to the customers
Chassis – The framework on a computer that supports its components including the motherboard, hard drives, and memory
Chipset – The group of microchips on a motherboard that allow all the components to communicate with the processor
CIR – Consumer Infrared is an infrared protocol that allows the use of remote control with computers*
Client – A computer or application that remotely accesses a service on another computer (known as a server) using a network
CMOS – Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor is a type of integrated circuit
Connector – A device used to carry electrical power
CPU – Central Processing Unit is another name for processor
CPU ID – An earlier revision of utilities such as the Intel® Frequency ID Utility and the Intel® Processor ID Utility
CRT – Cathode Ray Tube is an analog monitor
CUI – Custom User Interface is a term for the user interface used to manage Intel® Graphics Driver


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D

DDR – Double Data Rate is a technique for data transfers used by some types of computer memory
DFP – Digital Flat Panel is a type of video connector for flat panel displays
DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a protocol that allows a computer to automatically get a network address
DIMM – Dual In-Line Memory Module is a type of computer memory
DirectX* – A set of Microsoft* APIs for handling tasks related to items such as games and video
Discrete graphics – The graphics controller is not built into the chipset but is a separate component
DIY – Do It Yourself is someone who does a task themselves rather than relying on a professional
DMA – Direct Memory Access is a feature of computers that allows a device to access system memory without relying on the CPU to transfer the data
DNS – Domain Name System is a system that maps domain names such as www.intel.com to IP addresses
Driver – Software written for a specific operating system and used by that operating system to communicate with a specific hardware device
Dual-core – A processor that combine two independent cores in a single package
DVI – Digital Video Interface is a type of video connector for display devices such as flat panel displays
DVMTDynamic Video Memory Technology is a system memory that is dynamically allocated as video memory


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E

EAP – Extensible Authentication Protocol is an authentication framework that is often used in wireless networks and defines message formats
ECC – Error-Correcting Code is a code that allows data to be checked for errors and corrected when necessary
EDID – Extended Display Identification Data is data given from a display device to a graphics driver that defines its capabilities
EEPROM – Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers
EFI BIOS – Extensible Firmware Interface BIOS is a newer BIOS specification
EHCI – Enhanced Host Controller Interface is a high speed controller standard
Intel® EM64T – Intel® Extended Memory 64 Technology
EMI – Electro Magnetic Interference is electrical interference that can interfere with communications
Energy Star* – Energy Star* is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that promotes energy efficient products
e-SATAExternal Serial ATA* is an external interface for SATA devices
ESD – Electrostatic Discharge is the transfer of a static charge between two objects
Express Chipset – Part of the product name for Intel chipsets such as the Intel® G33 Express Chipset
Express Chipset family – Part of the product name for a group of Intel chipsets that are all in the same family of chipsets (for example, the Intel® 3 Series Chipset family includes chipsets such as the Intel® G33 Express Chipset, the Intel® G35 Express Chipset, and the Intel® P31 Express Chipset)


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F

FB-DIMM – Fully Buffered Dual In-Line Memory Module is a type of computer memory
Firmware – A computer program that is inside a hardware device
Flash – Flash memory is a type of non-volatile computer memory that can be erased and reprogrammed
Form factor – Form factor* is a standard size and shape for a computer motherboard
FSB – Front Side Bus is the physical component that carries information between the computer's processor and other components such as system memory


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G

Gateway – A wireless gateway is a special type of access point which allows wireless network clients to share an Internet connection (DSL or cable modem). Wireless gateways typically include features such as NAT and VPN support which may not be found in simple access points.
GB – Gigabyte is a unit of computer storage that is around 1.07 billion bytes
GM – Part of the product name for specific mobile Intel chipsets with integrated graphics
GMA – Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (Intel® GMA) is part of the product name for specific Intel graphics controllers such as the Intel GMA 900
GMCH – Graphics and Memory Controller Hub is the chipset component that handles communication between the CPU and all other devices
Graphics controller – A term used to describe the graphics hardware in a computer
Ground – A return path for electrical current
GUI – Graphical User Interface is a user interface based on graphical icons


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H

Hard Drive Cache – A temporary storage area on a hard drive
HD Audio – Intel® High Definition Audio is the audio architecture standard that replaces AC'97
HDCP – High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection is a copy protection scheme to prevent data from being copied or shared illegally
HDD – Hard Disk Drive is another name for hard drive
HDMI – High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a digital media interface for Consumer Electronics devices that allows a single cable to be used for both audio and video
HDTV – High Definition TV is a TV that typically has a higher quality aspect ratio and therefore higher quality video output than standard TVs
Heatsink – An object used to absorb heat from a processor
Header – Data that includes information about the message being transmitted but is not the message itself (e.g. in email, the header might include the sender and recipient's email addresses)
Hotspot – An area with wireless Internet access
Hyper-Threading Technology – Hyper-Threading Technology is technology proprietary to Intel that allows different parts of the CPU to work on different tasks simultaneously


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I

IA32 – Intel® architecture 32-bit is the 32-bit implementation of the x86 architecture
IA64 – IA-64 often refers to Itanium® architecture. Intel® 64 architecture is the 64-bit implementation of the x86 architecture.
IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics is another name for ATA
ICH – I/O controller hub
IEEEInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers* is an international organization concerned with advancing the theory and practice of technology related to electricity
INF – A text file that contains all the information needed in order to install a piece of software or a driver that controls a hardware device
Infrastructure Network – Wi-Fi network centered around an access point (AP) or broadband Wi-Fi router.  In this environment, the AP not only provides communication with the wired network, but also mediates Wi-Fi network traffic in the immediate neighborhood.
Integrated circuit – A semiconductor device that includes many transistors and electrical circuits
Integrated graphics – The graphics controller is built into the chipset
Interference – Anything that alters or disrupts a message as it travels between the sender and the receiver
Interrupt – A signal from hardware or software that indicates that an event needs attention or processing
Internet Service Provider (ISP) – Subscribers obtain access to the Internet from their homes, small businesses or corporate networks by paying these providers for service.
I/O controller hub – The chipset component that handles communication with components such as the hard drives and communicates with the CPU via the MCH


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J

Jack retasking – The technology that allows audio jack functionality to be reassigned depending on the type of device that is connected
Jack sensing – The technology that allows an audio controller to detect that a device has been connected to an audio jack
Jumper – A piece of conductor that is used to enclose jumper pins and complete the circuit


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K

KB – Kilobyte is a unit of computer storage that is equal to 1024 bytes


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L

L1 cache – The smallest and fastest level of CPU cache, this is the first level of cache used by the CPU
L2 cache – Slightly larger and slower than L1 cache, this is the second level of cache used by the CPU
L3 cache – Slightly larger and slower than L2 cache, this is the third level of cache used by the CPU
LAN – Local Area Network is a computer network that covers a small geographic area such as an office or school
Latency – Another term for delay
LCD – Liquid Crystal Display is a type of flat panel display
Lead-free – Part of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive* (also known as RoHS) in the European Union that restricts the use of certain hazardous substances when manufacturing specific electronic or electrical equipment
LED – Light Emitting Diode is a small light source
LFP – Local Flat Panel refers to a flat panel display on a notebook computer


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M

MAC Address – The media access control (MAC) address of the wireless ethernet adapter is a unique serial number assigned to the device by the manufacturer. Every wired or wireless network device has a unique MAC address.
MB – Megabyte is a unit of computer storage that is equal to 1,048,576 bytes
MCH – Memory Controller Hub is the chipset component that handles communication between the CPU, memory, AGP or PCI Express, and the ICH
Microprocessor – A processor on a single integrated circuit
Modem – DSL, cable or other hardware types connected to both the AP/router and external line leading to an Internet Service Provider.
Motherboard – A board to which the primary components of a computer are connected
MTBF – Mean Time Between Failures is the average time between system failures


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N

NIC – Network Interface Card is a piece of hardware that allows computers to communicate over a network
Network Name – Also called a SSID, it identifies your network. It is a unique name and controls access to a given network. The network name can be up to 32 characters and is case sensitive.
Non-volatile – Non-volatile memory is a type of computer memory that can retain its contents even when it's not powered on
Northbridge – Another name for MCH


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O

ODD – Optical disk drive
ODM – Original Device Manufacturer is the company that manufactured a device that is being sold by another company
OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer is the company that manufactured a product that is being sold by another company
OHCI – Open Host Controller Interface is an interface that allows a USB or FireWire controller to communicate with the operating system
OpenGL – Open Graphics Library is a specification that defines an API for writing applications that produce 2D or 3D computer graphics
Optical disk drive – A type of disk drive that uses laser in order to read and write data
Option ROM – Firmware that is called by the system BIOS in order to communicate with a hardware device
OROM – Option ROM
OS – Operating System is the software that manages both the hardware and software on a computer


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P

Parallel ATA – Another name for ATA
PATA – Parallel ATA
PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect is a computer bus that is used to attach devices to a motherboard
PCIePCI Express* is a specification for computer expansion cards
Peripherals – A piece of computer hardware, typically optional and connected externally, that is added to a computer
Plasma – Plasma display is a type of flat panel display
PM – Part of the product name for specific mobile Intel chipsets without integrated graphics
PnP – Plug and Play is a feature of computers that allows a device to be added without reconfiguration or the installation of device drivers
POST – Power-On Self-Test is the term for a computer's pre-boot sequence
Power management – A way for a computer to save power by turning off certain components of the computer when not in use
Power supply – A device that provides electrical power
Preamble – A term that is used in telecommunications to describe the introduction to a message or header
Processor – The computer component that interprets all instructions
Proc ID – Intel® Processor Identification Utility is a utility developed by Intel Corporation to identify the processor inside a computer system
Product brief – A document that provides product information such as an overview, benefits, features, and system requirements
Profile– Data and configuration information that is associated with a wireless network
Protocol– A set of rules that govern how data is sent over a communications channel


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Q

Quad-core – A processor that combines four independent cores in a single package


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R

RAID – Redundant Array of Independent Disks is a technology that uses multiple hard drives to improve performance and/or protection
RAM – Random Access Memory is system memory
RFID – Radio-Frequency Identification is an identification method that stores identification data on objects and uses radio waves to retrieve the data
RMA – Return Material Authorization is a term used to refer to the process where the recipient of a product arranges to return a defective product to the supplier for repair or replacement or credit
Roaming– A term used in wireless to refer to the concept of extending service to a geographical location that is outside the geographical coverage area provided by the home network
Router– A device that routes data between different networks


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S

SATA – Serial ATA
SCSI – Small Computer System Interface is a set of standards for physically connecting computers and devices such as hard drives, and for transferring data between them
SDRAM – Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory is a type of computer memory
Serial ATA – A successor to ATA where the interface between storage devices such as hard drives and a computer is a high-speed serial cable
Server – A computer that performs a service to one or more computers or applications (known as clients)
SFX – A form factor for power supplies
SMART – Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology is a technology for hard drives that monitors various reliability indicators in order to try to anticipate failures
SMBIOS – System BIOS
Southbridge – Another name for ICH
S/PDIF – Sony/Phillips Digital Interface is a standard file format for carrying digital audio signals
SSID – The service set identification, also known as the network name, identifies your
network. It is a unique name and controls access to a given network. The SSID can be up to 32 characters and is case sensitive.
sSpec – The specification number for an Intel processor
System BIOS – Another term for BIOS
System bus – Another name for front side bus (FSB)


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T

TAC – Thermally Advantaged Chassis
TCP – Transmission Control Protocol is an internet protocol that delivers a stream of data from sender to receiver
TDP – Thermal Design Power or Thermal Design Point is the maximum amount of power that a computer's cooling system must dissipate
TFX – A form factor for a power supply used in a computer case
Thermally advantaged chassis – An enclosure for computers that can maintain a specific ambient internal temperature with specific Intel® processors
Thermal module – The combination of the heatsink and fan used to cool a processor
TIM – Thermal Interface Material is a paste or a pad that is applied between the CPU and heatsink
TPS – Technical Product Specification is a document that specifies the board layout, components, connectors, power, environmental requirements, and BIOS for an Intel® Desktop Board
Transistor – A device used in semiconductors to amplify or switch electronic signals


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U

UHCI – Universal Host Controller Interface is an interface that allows USB 1.0 controller to communicate with the operating system
UI – User Interface is the graphical, textual, and auditory information presented to a user by a computer program and the methods, whether keystrokes, mouse movements, or touchscreen selections that are used by the user to control that program
UNDI – Universal Network Device Interface is an API for network cards
USB – Universal Serial Bus* is a connectivity specification that allows peripheral devices such as scanners, printers, and memory sticks to be plugged into the computer and configured automatically


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V

VBIOS – Video BIOS
Verified by Intel® – A program between Intel, ODMs, and notebook component suppliers to enhance opportunities for customizable build-to-order notebook solutions
VGA – Video Graphics Array is the 640x480 video resolution
Video BIOS – The BIOS for the graphics hardware
VRAM – Video RAM is a type of computer memory that was used to store the frame buffer for some graphics cards (also referred to as video memory or graphics memory)


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W

WAN – Wide Area Network is a computer network that covers a large geographic area such as a country
WDDM – Windows* Display Driver Model is a display driver architecture* supported in Microsoft Windows Vista*
WEPWired Equivalent Privacy is an optional IEEE 802.11 feature used to provide data security that is equivalent to that of a typical wired LAN. When WEP is enabled, all stations (clients and access points) are required to have the same WEP key. Network access is denied to anyone who does not have the correct key.
Wi-FiWireless-Fidelity is a wireless technology brand that is owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance*
WHQL – Windows* Hardware Quality Labs is a testing process* that involves running a set of tests on hardware or software and then submitting the results to Microsoft* for review
Wireless client– The software that controls a wireless adapter.
Wireless gateway - see gateway
WLANWireless Local Area Network is two or more computers that are linked together without wires.
WPA Wi-Fi Protected Access is an optional IEEE 802.11 feature used to provide data security that is equivalent to that of a typical wired LAN. It provides stronger security than WEP through enhanced encryption and user authentication.


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X

X86 – An instruction set for one of the most common CPU architectures
XD bit – Execute Disable Bit
XD technology – The Execute Disable Bit capability of Intel processors that is designed to increase overall system security
XPDM – Windows XP* Display Driver Model is a display driver architecture supported in Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows* XP (also referred to as XDDM)


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Y


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Z


This applies to:
Intel® 3 Series Chipsets
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 and Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 products
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000
Intel® G35 Express Chipset
Intel® HD Graphics
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology
Intel® WiFi Link 1000
Intel® WiFi Link 5300 and Intel® WiFi Link 5100 products
Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350 and Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 products
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

Solution ID: CS-028822
Date Created: 06-Feb-2008
Last Modified: 09-Feb-2010
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