Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 20: Computer Game Platforms and TechnologiesBrief 1_Task 2

Name: Researched Definition (include URL link) Explanation in your own words

Imagery Why is this important to hardware technologies for game platforms?

Human Computer Interface

The means of communication between a human user and a computer system, referring in particular to the use of input/output devices with supporting software.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-humancomputerinterface.html

Human Computer Interface is the means of communication between a human user and a computer device and involves the use of input and output devices.

A Human Computer Interface is important because it is needed to use the game platform and see what you are doing.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output operations specified by the instructions.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit

A CPU is what carries out instructions of a computer program in order for it to run.

A CPU is important for game consoles because bigger games need more CPU to work, so a low CPU will not allow you to play many games properly.

Graphic Processors

A Graphic processor is a specialized chip that is used to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images for output to a display. They are used in Mobile Phones, computers, embedded systems, game consoles etc.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_processing_unit

Graphic processors are used to load graphics onto the electronic device such as a mobile phone, console etc

Graphic Processors are really important because they are used to load the games up on your screen. Without them there would be no images or games to play.

Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 20: Computer Game Platforms and TechnologiesBrief 1_Task 2

Memory (RAM)

RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html

RAM is a computer memory that is randomly accessed freely.

While the processor and graphics card do all of the calculations, the RAM is the area that stores needed variables and content.

Display Show (data or an image) on a computer, television, or other screen:http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/display

Display is how images are shown on your television/monitors etc

A Display is important because you need it to see what’s on the screen and be able to use your devices.

Sound Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear.https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+sound

Sound is vibrations which can be heard when they reach a person’s ear.

Sound is used so you can hear characters speaking, in game sounds etc, without sound games wouldn’t be entertaining.

Game Storage Medium

A storage medium is the technology where data is placed, kept and retrieved. A storage medium is usually a secondary storage such as a hard disk or tape.http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/storage-medium

A Game storage medium is where data is stored and retrieved, usually in hard discs.

Game storage medium is important because it is used to store data so you will not need to start playing a game from the start every time you start it.

Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 20: Computer Game Platforms and TechnologiesBrief 1_Task 2

Interface Devices

An interface device (IDF) is a hardware component or system of components that allows a human being to interact with a computer, a telephone system, or other electronic information system.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/interface-device-IDF

An interface device is a component that’s allows a human user to interact with their electronic devices, computers etc.

An interface device is important because you can interact with the computer using them.

Connectivity

Connectivity is the quality or condition of being connected or connective, It is also the ability to make and maintain a connection between two or more points in the telecommunication system.http://www.thefreedictionary.com/connectivity

Connectivity is where you connect to a live connection or wifi so you can play online games or just use computers/mobiles etc to browse the web.

Connectivity is important because it allows you to play multiplayer games without lag and disconnections, depending on how good the connection is.

Power Supply

A power supply is an electronic device that supplies electric energy to an electrical load. The primary function of a power supply is to convert one form of electrical energy to another and, as a result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply

A power supply is what is used to turn the computer on and off by transferring one form of electrical energy to another.

This is very important because it allows you to turn your computer on and off.