Configuration

A system configuration refers to the technical specifications (or "tech specs") of a device. For a computer, the primary specs include the CPU type and speed, system memory (or RAM), graphics card (GPU), storage device type and capacity, and operating system. A detailed configuration may include the motherboard, network adapters (including Ethernet and Wi-Fi capabilities), Bluetooth connectivity, and I/O ports.

Below is an example configuration of a Dell Alienware gaming PC.

  • CPU: Intel Core i9 14900KF (68 MB cache, 24 cores, up to 6.0 GHz)
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, 24 GB GDDR6X
  • RAM: 32 GB (2 x 16 GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/s)
  • Storage: 2 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe SSD
  • OS: Windows 11 Home
System configurations also apply to virtual environments, which include similar specifications. Unlike laptops and (desktop PCs||desktop_computer), cloud configurations can update dynamically, adding RAM, storage, and processing power based on resources available across multiple systems.

Understanding core specs like CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage is helpful when choosing a new computer or virtual system. For example, if you mainly use your PC for browsing the web and writing documents, you don't need a high-end CPU or lots of RAM, like someone who does video editing. If you play games on your PC, you might need a high-end video card, whereas an audio engineer only needs basic graphics capabilities. Generally, it's best to choose a system with slightly better specs than you need so that it will be sufficient for your current and future computing tasks.

Updated October 11, 2024 by Per C.

quizTest Your Knowledge

Which device is designed to communicate over traditional phone lines?

A
Ethernet router
0%
B
Network switch
0%
C
Dial-up modem
0%
D
Base station
0%
Correct! Incorrect!     View the Modem definition.
More Quizzes →

The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary

The definition of Configuration on this page is an original definition written by the TechTerms.com team. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation links above.

The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please contact us.

Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter

How often would you like to receive an email?

You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.

Questions? Please contact us.