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PC Architecture. A book by Michael B. Karbo

PC Architecture. A book by Michael B. Karbo

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Figure 246. Your motherboard manual is worth studying.<br />

30. Glossary<br />

Fairly early on in the guide I started to explain a number of terms. I will now conclude with even more<br />

of the same. Most of these expressions have been used in the guide; here is a brief explanation of them.<br />

AMR. Audio Modem Riser. A standard for small expansion cards which are mounted on the motherboard<br />

and which provide connectors for the motherboard’s built-in sound and modem functions. Only used in<br />

very cheap <strong>PC</strong> configurations.<br />

BIOS. Basic Input Output System. Program code which provides simple control over a hardware device.<br />

Bus Master. A controller property, which allows a <strong>PC</strong>I device to take control over the <strong>PC</strong>I bus, so that<br />

data can be exchanged directly with RAM. CMOS. Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. Really a<br />

name for the process technology used, among other things, for CPU’s. There is a CMOS storage chip on<br />

the motherboard which contains a database of information about the motherboard and the other<br />

hardware devices. CSA. Communication Streaming <strong>Architecture</strong>. An Intel design, where the Gigabit LAN<br />

controller plugs directly into the north bridge.

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