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: Researched Definition
(include URL link)
Explanation in your own
words
Imagery Why is this
important
to
hardware
technologie
s 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
http://hcibib.org/
The human computerinterface is
whatyou look whenyouturn
your PCon, sodependingon
whatOS you have dependson
the style of interface youlookat.
Thisis
important
because you
wouldn’tbe
able to
Central
Processing
Unit (CPU)
The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
is the part of a computer system that is
commonly referred to as the "brains"
of a computer. The CPU is also known
as the processor or microprocessor.
The CPU is responsible for executing
a sequence of stored instructions
called a program.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesiz
e/ict/hardware/0inputandoutputdevicesr
ev3.shtml
The CPU isthe brain of the
computeritdoesa lot of the
workin the computer,itgetsa
program andexecutes the
program andcompletesitfor
you.
The CPU is
important
because
withoutityour
computer
wouldn’tcarry
out some
processesand
there foryour
pc wouldn’t
work
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
Graphic
Processors
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is
a computer chip that performs rapid
mathematical calculations, primarily for
the purpose of rendering images
http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.co
m/definition/GPU-graphics-processing-
unit
The GPU isfor renderinggraphics
but the hotterisget the more
powerituses,the GPU is
probablythe mostexpensiveitem
ina pc build.
The gpu is for
renderingthe
mediasuchas
gamesand
rendering
videos,without
thisyou
couldn’teven
connectyour
monitorto the
pc to use.
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/RA
M.html
RAMis a differenttype of
memoryIna PCit getsusedat
randomtimes,itwill que
programsfor the CPU to execute.
The amount of
RAMyour
computerhas
can affectthe
speedand
performance of
the computer.
Display an electronic device for the visual
presentation of data or images.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cpu
&oq=cpu&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.535j0j4
&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-
8#q=what+is+a+display+
The displayiswhatyou playon,
be it a TV or a monitor.For
example Iuse 3 1920x1080 PC
monitors.
The displayis
importantso
youcan
navigate the pc
I a visual
matter.
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
Sound a device which can be slotted into a
computer to allow the use of audio
components for multimedia
applications.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cpu
&oq=cpu&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.535j0j4
&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-
8#q=what+is+soundcard
The soundcard allows the use of
outside mediaapps.
Soundcards are
not really
important
they’re
optional.
Game
Storage
Medium
In computers, a storage medium is any
technology (includingdevices and materials)
used to place,keep, and retrieve data.
A medium is an element used in
communicatinga message; on a storage
medium, the "messages" - in the form of data
- are suspended for use when needed. The
plural formof this term is storage media.
Although the termstorage includes both
primary storage(memory), a storagemedium
usually means a placeto hold secondary
storage such as that on a hard disk or tape.
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/defi
nition/storage-medium
The storage mediumisbasicallya
hard drive justsomewhere,
where youcan save all your data
too.
The hard drive
isto store all
your data soif
youdon’thave
one youcan
eveninstall
your operating
system.
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
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.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?source
id=chrome-
instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-
8#q=Interface+Devices
The interface devicesare things
such as a mouse andkeyboardor
a touchscreen.
These are
importantso
youcan use
your pc suchas
type and
navigate with
the mouse.
Connectivit
y
Computers. the ability to link to
and communicate with other co
mputersystems, electronic devic
es, software, or the Internet
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/c
onnectivity
The connectivityisbeingable to
connectto the internetandplay
gamesonline orjustuse the
internetingeneral.
Connectivityis
importantso
youcan play
online and
downloadyour
gamesto play.
(if onpc)
Power
Supply
A power supply unit (PSU) converts
mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC
power for the internal components of a
computer. Modern personal computers
universally use a switched-
mode power supply. Some power
supplies have a manual selector for
input voltage, while others
automatically adapt to the supply
voltage.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=psu
&oq=psu&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.415j0j4
&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-
8#q=what+is+a+psu
The powersupplyiswhatgives
the computerpower,without
one of these youcan noteven
turn yourcomputeron.
The psu powers
your whole pc
so withoutit
your computer
turn on at all
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
