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ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) is a power management
specification that allows the operating system to control the amount of power
distributed to the computer’s devices. Devices not in use can be turned off,
reducing unnecessary power expenditure.
AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) is a PCI-based interface which was designed
specifically for demands of 3D graphics applications. The 32-bit AGP channel
directly links the graphics controller to the main memory. While the channel
runs at only 66MHz, 2X supports data transmission during both the rising and
falling ends of the clock cycle, yielding an effective speed of 133MHz.
The AT was the original form factor of IBM’s PC.
ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface), also known as IDE or ATA, is a drive
implementation that includes the disk controller on the device itself. It allows
CD-ROMs and tape drives to be configured as master or slave devices, just
like hard drives.
The ATX form factor was designed to replace the AT form factor. It improves
on the AT design by rotating the board ninety degrees, so that the IDE
connectors are closer to the drive bays, and the CPU is closer to the power
supply and cooling fan. The keyboard, mouse, serial, USB, and parallel ports
Appendix
3
Glossary
