Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit

Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is an integrated circuit custom-designed to perform a specific set of functions. An ASIC-based device typically has better performance and lower cost over a similar design with standard chips. ASICs are commonly used in high-speed switches and routers. A typical device designed using standard chips typically has many individual components, and runs many functions in software. A device/system based on ASIC can consolidate the function of all of those chips, and even the software, onto a single chip.

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ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit