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Glite Dictionary
frame buffer

frame buffer

5.4
An area of computer memory that stores the picture shown on the screen
  • noun
  • /freɪm ˈbʌfər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : memoria intermedia
  • When this is added to the frame buffer, rate buffer, and various other space required for a video decoder, the total memory requirement easily exceeds 2 MB.
  • GB frame buffer

Examples

  • If all of the frame buffers are full, the receiver (underbar) ready may be delayed indefinitely.

    Academic text (1996)

  • It's basically it's frame buffer to the shift register and and that's pretty self-explanatory.

  • We would like to, you know, obviously put our frame buffer in the RAM.

  • So it's cheaper, got a larger frame buffer and a wider bus.

  • Now generally speaking, bigger frame buffer cards end up under powered before the extra RAM is necessary, but there are some exceptions.

  • It informs the transmitter that it can free the corresponding frame buffer.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Intel says they are going straight from GPU frame buffer on this side to GPU frame buffer on the other side.

  • A receiver (underbar) ready indicates that the remote port has another frame buffer free to accept the next frame. It allows the transmitter to send another frame.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The SIC connects directly to the interface cable and includes the SSA protocol, the router, the frame buffers, and 24 DMA channels.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The graphics card features a 4GB frame buffer to store detailed pixel data for high-resolution displays.

Synonyms

buffer
vsframe buffer
  • Specialized
26 6.2

A place in a computer that holds data temporarily while it moves

stores pixel values continuously for display rather than transient transfer use
buffer store
vsframe buffer
  • Specialized
5.8

A part of a computer's memory that holds data for a short time while it moves between devices

keeps per position pixel data for screen images rather than moving data
buffer storage
vsframe buffer
  • Specialized
5.1

A part of computer memory that temporarily holds data during transfer between devices

reserves memory locations for each pixel to form the display image continuously

Surface Forms

frame buffer singular
frame buffers plural

Morphology

frame + buffer

The meaning is directly compositional: 'frame' (an individual image) combined with 'buffer' (a memory region) yields a memory area that stores image/pixel data. Although the term is technical, the noun+noun composition follows common transparent compound patterns (and similar constructions exist in other languages), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Frame buffer puts together frame (a single picture) and buffer (a holding place). Imagine a tray that holds a finished picture until someone shows it — the frame buffer is the place in memory that stores the whole image 'ready to display'.