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ComptiA+ > 1. Hardware > Flashcards

1. Hardware Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary function of the CPU?

A

Executes instructions from programs by performing basic arithmetic, logic, control, and I/O operations.

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2
Q

What is the difference between DDR3 and DDR4 RAM?

A

DDR4 has faster transfer rates, lower voltage requirements (1.2V compared to 1.5V for DDR3), and higher memory capacities.

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3
Q

What is the function of the BIOS/UEFI?

A

Initializes hardware during the boot process and provides runtime services for operating systems.

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4
Q

What are the common form factors for motherboards?

A

ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.

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5
Q

What is RAID 5?

A

A RAID configuration that uses striping with parity, requiring at least three drives. It provides fault tolerance.

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6
Q

What is the difference between SATA and NVMe drives?

A

SATA drives use the SATA interface and are slower, while NVMe drives use the PCIe interface and provide much faster data transfer rates.

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7
Q

What is the purpose of a heat sink?

A

Dissipates heat from components such as the CPU or GPU to prevent overheating.

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8
Q

What is the difference between a power supply’s 80 PLUS certifications?

A

Indicates the efficiency of the power supply, with tiers such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium.

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9
Q

What is the function of the CMOS battery on a motherboard?

A

Powers the CMOS chip to retain BIOS/UEFI settings when the computer is powered off.

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10
Q

What are the three main types of optical drives?

A

CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and Blu-ray.

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11
Q

What is the primary use of ECC RAM?

A

Error-Correcting Code RAM is used in servers and workstations to detect and correct memory errors.

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12
Q

What does a GPU do?

A

Processes graphics rendering for displays, used in gaming, video editing, and 3D modeling.

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13
Q

What is the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer?

A

Inkjet printers use liquid ink for higher-quality images, while laser printers use toner for faster and more cost-effective printing.

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14
Q

What is the function of thermal paste?

A

Improves heat transfer between a CPU/GPU and its heat sink.

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15
Q

What are the common USB standards and their speeds?

A

USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), USB 3.2 (20 Gbps).

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16
Q

What is the difference between a hot-swappable and non-hot-swappable device?

A

Hot-swappable devices can be replaced or connected without shutting down the system, like USB drives or some RAID disks.

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17
Q

What does the term “form factor” mean for power supplies?

A

Refers to the physical dimensions and compatibility of the power supply, such as ATX or SFX.

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18
Q

What is the purpose of a POST card?

A

Diagnoses and displays error codes during the Power-On Self-Test process.

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19
Q

What are the differences between LCD, LED, and OLED displays?

A

LCD uses a liquid crystal layer, LED is an LCD with LED backlighting, and OLED uses organic compounds that emit light directly.

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20
Q

What is the maximum length of a standard Ethernet cable for reliable operation?

A

100 meters (328 feet) for Cat5e and Cat6 cables.

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21
Q

What is the difference between passive and active cooling?

A

Passive cooling uses heat sinks without moving parts, while active cooling includes fans or liquid cooling systems.

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22
Q

What is a crossover cable used for?

A

Directly connects two network devices without a switch or hub.

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23
Q

What is the purpose of a jumper on a motherboard?

A

Configures hardware settings, such as clearing the CMOS or setting the drive as master/slave.

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24
Q

What is an example of a hardware diagnostic tool?

A

MemTest86 for memory testing or CrystalDiskInfo for checking hard drive health.

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25
Q

What is the function of a KVM switch?

A

A device that allows multiple computers to share a single keyboard, video monitor, and mouse, enabling easy switching between systems.

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26
Q

What is the difference between a hard drive (HDD) and a solid-state drive (SSD)?

A

HDDs use spinning disks to read and write data, while SSDs use flash memory, offering faster data access speeds and no moving parts.

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27
Q

What is the purpose of a motherboard chipset?

A

Manages data flow between the processor, memory, and other peripherals.

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28
Q

What is the difference between a DVI and HDMI port?

A

DVI transmits video signals, while HDMI transmits both video and audio.

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29
Q

What is the purpose of RAID 0?

A

Stripes data across multiple drives for increased performance, but does not provide fault tolerance.

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30
Q

What does a PSU (Power Supply Unit) do?

A

Converts electrical power from a wall outlet into the proper voltage and current to power the internal components of a computer.

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31
Q

What is the difference between an SSD and an M.2 drive?

A

SSD refers to a storage device using flash memory, while M.2 refers to the form factor of the drive (smaller and faster than traditional SATA SSDs).

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32
Q

What is the function of a network card (NIC)?

A

Allows a computer to connect to a network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

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33
Q

What are the benefits of using a liquid cooling system over traditional air cooling?

A

Provides better cooling for high-performance systems, reduces noise, and allows for more efficient heat dissipation.

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34
Q

What does the term “overclocking” mean?

A

Increasing the clock speed of a processor or GPU to improve performance beyond factory settings.

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35
Q

What is the purpose of a surge protector?

A

Protects electronic devices from power surges caused by lightning or electrical faults.

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36
Q

What are the common causes of overheating in a computer?

A

Insufficient cooling, dust buildup, poor airflow, or high ambient temperature.

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37
Q

What is the role of the chipset in a laptop?

A

Manages communication between the CPU, memory, and other peripherals in a laptop system.

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38
Q

What is the function of the power supply fan?

A

Helps cool the power supply unit (PSU) and prevent overheating.

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39
Q

What is the primary function of an optical drive?

A

Reads and writes data to optical discs like CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays.

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40
Q

What is a GPU’s role in gaming?

A

Renders images and video frames for real-time display during gameplay.

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41
Q

What is a sound card used for?

A

Handles audio processing for output to speakers or input from microphones.

42
Q

What is the role of a computer’s voltage regulator?

A

Ensures that components like the CPU receive stable voltage to operate correctly.

43
Q

What is the difference between a USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port?

A

USB 3.0 provides faster data transfer speeds (up to 5 Gbps) compared to USB 2.0 (480 Mbps).

44
Q

What is the purpose of a RAID 10 configuration?

A

Combines the benefits of RAID 1 and RAID 0 by mirroring and striping data, providing both redundancy and performance.

45
Q

What is the difference between an HDD and an SDD in terms of durability?

A

SSDs have no moving parts, making them more durable and resistant to physical shock compared to HDDs.

46
Q

What is the purpose of a bus in a computer?

A

Transfers data between different components such as the CPU, memory, and storage.

47
Q

What is the difference between a modem and a router?

A

A modem connects to the internet, while a router manages the local network and directs data to multiple devices.

48
Q

What does a heat sink do for a GPU?

A

Dissipates heat from the GPU to prevent overheating and maintain performance.

49
Q

What is the difference between an HDMI port and a DisplayPort?

A

HDMI is commonly used for audio and video, while DisplayPort is used primarily for video and offers higher resolutions and refresh rates.

50
Q

What is a solid-state drive (SSD) made of?

A

Flash memory chips and a controller that manages data access and storage.

51
Q

What is a Wi-Fi card used for in a computer?

A

Provides wireless connectivity to a local network or the internet.

52
Q

What is the difference between a hybrid hard drive (HHD) and an SSD?

A

An HHD combines the large storage capacity of an HDD with the speed of an SSD’s flash memory.

53
Q

What is the difference between a PCIe and PCI expansion slot?

A

PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is faster and supports higher data transfer rates compared to the older PCI slots.

54
Q

What is the purpose of a 24-pin power connector on a motherboard?

A

Provides the primary power to the motherboard, including the CPU, memory, and other peripherals.

55
Q

What is a USB hub used for?

A

Expands the number of USB ports available on a computer or device.

56
Q

What is the role of the Northbridge chip on a motherboard?

A

Connects the CPU to high-speed components like RAM and graphics cards, typically responsible for faster data transfer.

57
Q

What is the role of the Southbridge chip on a motherboard?

A

Manages slower peripheral connections like USB, SATA, and PCI slots.

58
Q

What is the purpose of a display adapter?

A

Converts the digital signal from the computer into a video signal to be displayed on the monitor.

59
Q

What is an M.2 slot used for?

A

Used to install high-speed storage devices (like SSDs) or expansion cards.

60
Q

What is the primary function of a power supply unit (PSU)?

A

Converts electrical power from an outlet into usable power for the internal components of a computer.

61
Q

What is the difference between a solid-state drive (SSD) and a traditional hard disk drive (HDD)?

A

SSDs use flash memory for storage and are faster, while HDDs use spinning disks and are slower.

62
Q

What is a fan controller used for?

A

Allows users to adjust the speed of case fans to control airflow and system cooling.

63
Q

What is a ribbon cable?

A

A flat, flexible cable that connects internal components like hard drives to motherboards in older systems.

64
Q

What is the purpose of an I/O shield in a computer case?

A

Protects the motherboard from dust and prevents electrical shorts, while also allowing proper placement of input/output ports.

65
Q

What is the function of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)?

A

Provides backup power in case of power outages, protecting against data loss and hardware damage.

66
Q

What is a TPM (Trusted Platform Module)?

A

A hardware-based security feature that stores cryptographic keys for secure encryption and authentication.

67
Q

What is the difference between a 3.5mm jack and an optical audio out?

A

A 3.5mm jack carries analog audio signals, while optical audio out carries digital audio signals.

68
Q

What is the purpose of a virtual machine (VM)?

A

Allows running multiple operating systems on a single physical machine, useful for testing and development.

69
Q

What is a heatsink thermal compound?

A

A substance applied between a CPU/GPU and its heatsink to improve heat transfer.

70
Q

What is the difference between an integrated graphics card and a discrete graphics card?

A

Integrated graphics are built into the motherboard or CPU, while discrete cards are separate components that provide superior performance.

71
Q

What is a form factor in the context of a computer case?

A

Refers to the size, shape, and layout of the case, ensuring compatibility with the motherboard and other components.

72
Q

What is the function of a cache memory?

A

A small, high-speed memory that stores frequently accessed data to improve overall system performance.

73
Q

What is the purpose of a sound card?

A

Processes audio signals and allows output to speakers or headphones, often improving sound quality over onboard audio.

74
Q

What is a NAS (Network Attached Storage)?

A

A dedicated storage device connected to a network that allows data sharing and backup across multiple devices.

75
Q

What is a GPU and how does it improve gaming performance?

A

A Graphics Processing Unit handles complex graphical calculations and rendering, improving performance in video games and multimedia applications.

76
Q

What is the purpose of a RAID controller?

A

Manages the configuration of hard drives in RAID setups to optimize performance and data redundancy.

77
Q

What is the difference between VGA and HDMI ports?

A

VGA is an analog video output, while HDMI is a digital connection that supports both audio and video.

78
Q

What does an M.2 NVMe drive offer over a SATA SSD?

A

M.2 NVMe drives provide faster data transfer speeds due to utilizing the PCIe interface compared to the SATA interface used by SSDs.

79
Q

What does the term “latency” refer to in storage devices?

A

The time it takes for the device to respond to a read or write request. Lower latency means faster access times.

80
Q

What is the function of a wireless card in a laptop?

A

Provides Wi-Fi connectivity to a laptop for internet access and networking.

81
Q

What is the difference between a desktop and mobile processor?

A

Mobile processors are designed for laptops, consuming less power and generating less heat, while desktop processors typically have higher performance.

82
Q

What is a display panel’s refresh rate?

A

The number of times per second the display refreshes its image, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate provides smoother motion in video.

83
Q

What does the term “DDR” stand for in memory types?

A

Double Data Rate, a technology that allows data to be transferred on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal, improving performance.

84
Q

What is a network switch used for?

A

A device that connects devices on a network and forwards data between them based on MAC addresses.

85
Q

What is the purpose of an SSD’s TRIM command?

A

Helps maintain the performance of an SSD by allowing the operating system to inform the drive of deleted data, which is then marked for reuse.

86
Q

What is the purpose of a computer case fan?

A

Improves airflow within the case to keep internal components cool and prevent overheating.

87
Q

What is the difference between a laptop and desktop power supply?

A

A desktop PSU is larger and delivers more power, while a laptop PSU is smaller and designed for portability.

88
Q

What is the primary function of a chipset in a motherboard?

A

It controls communication between the CPU, memory, and peripherals, such as storage and USB devices.

89
Q

What is the function of a PCIe slot on a motherboard?

A

A high-speed slot used for installing expansion cards like graphics cards, network cards, and storage controllers.

90
Q

What is a CPU cooler used for?

A

To dissipate heat generated by the CPU and prevent overheating, ensuring stable operation.

91
Q

What is the difference between an S-ATA and P-ATA drive?

A

S-ATA (Serial ATA) is a newer interface with faster data transfer speeds, while P-ATA (Parallel ATA) is an older interface with slower speeds.

92
Q

What is the function of an Ethernet cable?

A

Provides wired network connectivity between computers, routers, and other network devices.

93
Q

What is the role of a computer’s input/output ports?

A

Allow connection of external devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, and monitors to the computer.

94
Q

What is the purpose of a RAID 1 configuration?

A

Mirrors data across two drives for redundancy, ensuring data protection in case of drive failure.

95
Q

What is a solid-state drive’s (SSD) TRIM command?

A

A command that helps optimize the performance of an SSD by notifying it of deleted data, allowing space to be reclaimed and written to more efficiently.

96
Q

What is the function of a network interface card (NIC)?

A

Provides a computer with the capability to connect to a network using either Ethernet or wireless protocols.

97
Q

What is the difference between 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard drives?

A

2.5-inch drives are smaller and typically used in laptops, while 3.5-inch drives are larger and commonly used in desktops.

98
Q

What is a PCI slot used for?

A

A slot on the motherboard that allows expansion cards, such as graphics, sound, or network cards, to be installed.

99
Q

What is the difference between a touchpad and a mouse?

A

A touchpad is a pointing device on laptops that uses touch gestures, while a mouse is a separate external device with buttons and a scroll wheel.

100
Q

What does the term “voltage” refer to in computer power supplies?

A

The electrical potential difference provided by the PSU to power internal components, typically 12V, 5V, and 3.3V.

ComptiA+ (7 decks)

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