User`s guide

OpenGL®

Short for “Open Graphics Library,” this is an industry standard for cross-

platform 3D graphics development. It consists of a large number of

functions that can be called upon in various programs, such as games,

CAD, and virtual-reality systems, to produce complex 3D objects from

simpler, more “primitive” building blocks. Implementations currently exist

under Windows®, Mac OS® X, and various forms of Unix, including

Linux®.

PCI

Acronym for “Peripheral Component Interconnect”, which is the

specification for a type of computer bus used for attaching computer

peripherals to a computer’s motherboard. PCI encompasses both integrated

motherboard components (such as built-in graphical processors) and

peripherals that fit into an expansion card slot, such as a separate graphics

card. PCI replaced the older ISA and VESA bus standards, and was itself

superseded by the AGP standard for the main graphics card bus.

PCI Express™ (PCIe)

The successor standard to the PCI and AGP bus standards, with a

significantly faster serial communications system, further opening up

bandwidth for more communications between such peripherals as graphics

cards and the computer’s CPU. PCIe cards can come in several physical

configurations, the fastest currently being X16, which is typically used for

graphic cards, and X1, typically used for other peripherals, such as separate

multimedia cards.

Pipeline

In relation to computer graphic processors, refers to the number of separate

arithmetic units available for rendering the output on a display. In general,

more pipelines available on a graphical processor means there are more 3D

rendering capabilities available, increasing overall 3D performance.