1. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Name:Jake
Thompson
Researched Definition (include
URL link)
Explanation in
your own
words
Imagery Why is this
important
to
hardware
technologi
es for
game
platforms?
Human
Computer
Interface
Definition: Human-Computer Interaction
(HCI) is a discipline concerned with the
design, evaluation and implementation of
interactive computing systems
for human use and with the study of major
phenomena surrounding them.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-
instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-
8#q=Human+Computer+Interface
Thisis whatthe
humanwill see as
the computerloads
to the main.
Thisis
important
because you
needtobe
able to see
whatyou’re
playing.
Central
Processing
Unit (CPU)
CPU (pronounced as separate letters) is the
abbreviation for central processing unit.
Sometimes referred to simply as the central
processor, but more commonly
called processor, the CPU is the brains of
the computer where most calculations take
place. In terms of computing power, the CPU
is the most important element of a computer
system.
Thisis the processor
for the computer
whichhelpswiththe
power.
Thisis
important
more to
gamers
because the
betterthisis
the smootherit
runs.
2. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/CPU.html
Graphic
Processors
GPU-accelerated computing is the use of a
graphics processing unit (GPU) together with
a CPU to accelerate scientific, analytics,
engineering, consumer, and enterprise
applications. Pioneered in 2007 by NVIDIA,
GPU accelerators now power energy-
efficient datacenters in government labs,
universities, enterprises, and small-and-
medium businesses around the world. GPUs
are accelerating applications in platforms
ranging from cars, to mobile phones and
tablets, to drones and robots.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/what-is-gpu-
computing.html
Thishelpshowgood
the graphicsare on
the computer.
So youcan see
stuff onyour
screena lot
clearer.
Memory
(RAM)
RAM (pronounced ramm) is
an acronym for random access memory, 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 isa type of
computermemory
that can be randomly
accessed.Shortfor
randomaccess
memory.
Thisis the area
that stores
more
important
content.
3. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Display A display is a computer output surface and
projecting mechanism that shows text and
often graphic images to the computer user,
using a cathode ray tube ( CRT ), liquid
crystal display ( LCD ), light-emitting diode,
gas plasma, or other image projection
technology. The display is usually
considered to include the screen or
projection surface and the device that
produces the information on the screen.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/display
You needa display
because if youdon’t
youwon’tbe able to
see anythingandyou
can get different
qualities.
If you don’t
have this
nothingwill
come on your
screen.
Sound An expansion board that enables a computer
to manipulate and output sounds. Sound
cards are necessary for nearly all CD-ROMs
and have become commonplace on modern
personal computers. Sound cards enable the
computer to output sound through speakers
connected to the board, to record sound
input from a microphone connected to the
computer, and manipulate sound stored on a
disk.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/sound_card.html
Soundisusedso you
can hear whatis
goingon.
Soundis
importantso
youcan hear
stuff.
4. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Game
Storage
Medium
In computers, a storage medium is any
technology (including devices and materials)
used to place, keep, and retrieve data.
A medium is an element used in
communicating a message; on a storage
medium, the "messages" - in the form of data
- are suspended for use when needed. The
plural form of this term is storage media.
Although the term storage includes both
primary storage (memory), a storage
medium usually means a place to
hold secondary storage such as that on a
hard disk or tape.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/interface-device-
IDF
Thisis usedfor
secondarystorage,
usuallyona hard
diskor tape.
Thisis
important
because if you
overuse your
storage this
can be used.
5. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 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
Thisis whatyou
woulduse tocontrol
whathappensonthe
screenlike the
mouse and
keyboard.
Thishelpsyou
connectwith
the computer
by controlling
it howyou
wantto.
Connectivi
ty
A computer buzzword that refers to
a program or device's ability to link with
other programs and devices. For example, a
program that can import data from a wide
variety of other programs and can
export data in many different formats is
said to have good connectivity. On the other
hand, computers that have difficulty linking
into a network (many laptop computers, for
example) have poor connectivity.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/connectivity.html
Connectivityisused
so that different
networkscancome
together.
A good
connectionis
important
because online
gamesneedit
for smooth
gameplay.
6. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Power
Supply
A power supply is a
hardware component that supplies power to
an electrical device. It receives power from
an electrical outlet and converts the current
from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct
current), which is what the computer
requires. It also regulates the voltage to an
adequate amount, which allows the
computer to run smoothly without
overheating. The power supplies an integral
part of any computer and must function
correctly for the rest of the components to
work. http://techterms.com/definition/powersupply
The powersupply
givesthe computer
powersoit isable to
turn on.
Withoutthis
youwill notbe
able to turn
the computer
on.
