1. Hardware Flashcards
What is the primary function of the CPU?
Executes instructions from programs by performing basic arithmetic, logic, control, and I/O operations.
What is the difference between DDR3 and DDR4 RAM?
DDR4 has faster transfer rates, lower voltage requirements (1.2V compared to 1.5V for DDR3), and higher memory capacities.
What is the function of the BIOS/UEFI?
Initializes hardware during the boot process and provides runtime services for operating systems.
What are the common form factors for motherboards?
ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
What is RAID 5?
A RAID configuration that uses striping with parity, requiring at least three drives. It provides fault tolerance.
What is the difference between SATA and NVMe drives?
SATA drives use the SATA interface and are slower, while NVMe drives use the PCIe interface and provide much faster data transfer rates.
What is the purpose of a heat sink?
Dissipates heat from components such as the CPU or GPU to prevent overheating.
What is the difference between a power supply’s 80 PLUS certifications?
Indicates the efficiency of the power supply, with tiers such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium.
What is the function of the CMOS battery on a motherboard?
Powers the CMOS chip to retain BIOS/UEFI settings when the computer is powered off.
What are the three main types of optical drives?
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and Blu-ray.
What is the primary use of ECC RAM?
Error-Correcting Code RAM is used in servers and workstations to detect and correct memory errors.
What does a GPU do?
Processes graphics rendering for displays, used in gaming, video editing, and 3D modeling.
What is the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer?
Inkjet printers use liquid ink for higher-quality images, while laser printers use toner for faster and more cost-effective printing.
What is the function of thermal paste?
Improves heat transfer between a CPU/GPU and its heat sink.
What are the common USB standards and their speeds?
USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), USB 3.2 (20 Gbps).
What is the difference between a hot-swappable and non-hot-swappable device?
Hot-swappable devices can be replaced or connected without shutting down the system, like USB drives or some RAID disks.
What does the term “form factor” mean for power supplies?
Refers to the physical dimensions and compatibility of the power supply, such as ATX or SFX.
What is the purpose of a POST card?
Diagnoses and displays error codes during the Power-On Self-Test process.
What are the differences between LCD, LED, and OLED displays?
LCD uses a liquid crystal layer, LED is an LCD with LED backlighting, and OLED uses organic compounds that emit light directly.
What is the maximum length of a standard Ethernet cable for reliable operation?
100 meters (328 feet) for Cat5e and Cat6 cables.
What is the difference between passive and active cooling?
Passive cooling uses heat sinks without moving parts, while active cooling includes fans or liquid cooling systems.
What is a crossover cable used for?
Directly connects two network devices without a switch or hub.
What is the purpose of a jumper on a motherboard?
Configures hardware settings, such as clearing the CMOS or setting the drive as master/slave.
What is an example of a hardware diagnostic tool?
MemTest86 for memory testing or CrystalDiskInfo for checking hard drive health.