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2D
Acronym for "two dimensional," a term applied to computer graphics that are
"flat." Typical desktop applications such as word processors, spreadsheet
programs, or other programs that manipulate print or simple graphics (such as
pictures or line art) are generally considered to be operating within a 2D
environment, even when they include simple three dimensional elements, such as
buttons.
3D
Acronym for "three dimensional," referring to computer graphics that appear to
have volume and depth. Various modeling processes take the representation of a
three dimensional object provided by the computer program and render it by using
various lighting components, applying textures, and setting layers of transparency
or opacity as required in order to produce a realistic representation of a three-
dimensional object on a two-dimensional display.
Aspect Ratio
The proportions of a display are expressed as a ratio of its width and height.
Common ratios include 4:3 for TVs and CRTs, 5:4 for LCDs, and 16:9 for widescreen
displays.
Bit Depth
Refers to the number of data bits required to store color information about a pixel.
Larger bit depth means a greater range of color information is capable of being
encoded into each pixel. For example, 1 binary bit of memory can only encode to
either "0" or "1." So a graphical bit depth of 1 means that the display can only show
two colors, the black and white of a monochrome display. Four-bit color depth is
capable of displaying 16 colors because there are only 16 different combinations of
4 bits (0000, 0001, 0010... to 1111). Sixteen-bit color is capable of reproducing 65,536
colors, 24-bit color can display up to 16,777,216 individual colors, and 30-bit color can
display up to one billion individual colors.
Buffer
A name referring to portions of on-board video memory. One large buffer is always
used to display images to the screen; this is the "display buffer." The rest of offscreen
memory is typically used by applications as back buffers, z-buffers, and texture
buffers.
Catalyst™ Control Center
Catalyst™ Control Center (CCC) is a graphical user application providing access to
the display features contained within the installed AMD hardware and software.
CCC can be used to fine-tune various graphics settings, enable or disable connected
display devices, change the orientation of a desktop, and much more.
© 2011 Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
Glossary - Workstation Products
Appendix A
AMD FirePro V3900
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