Cable Types Flashcards
1
Q
Importance of Cables in Computing
A
Cables connect components internally (inside the system) and externally (to peripherals).
2
Q
Binary digit (1 or 0)
A
Bit (b)
3
Q
Nibble
A
4 bits
4
Q
Byte (B)
A
8 bits
5
Q
1 Kb (kilobit)
A
1,000 bits
6
Q
1 KB (kilobyte)
A
1,000 bytes
7
Q
1 Mb (megabit)
A
1,000,000 bits
8
Q
1 MB (megabyte)
A
1,000,000 bytes
9
Q
1 Gb (gigabit)
A
1,000,000,000 bits
10
Q
1 GB (gigabyte)
A
1,000,000,000 bytes
11
Q
1 Tb (terabit)
A
1,000,000,000,000 bits
12
Q
1 TB (terabyte)
A
1,000,000,000,000 bytes
13
Q
How many MBps is in 1 Gbps
A
125 MBps (1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps (because 1 Gbps = 1,000 megabits)
Then, convert megabits to megabytes:
1,000 Mbps ÷ 8 = 125 MBps)
14
Q
How many Gbps in 250 GBps
A
2,000 Gbps (250x8)
15
Q
USB 1.0 speeds
A
1.5 Mbps & 12 Mbps
16
Q
USB 2.0 speeds
A
480 Mbps
17
Q
USB 3.0 Gen 1 speeds
A
5 Gbps
18
Q
USB 3.0 Gen 2 speeds
A
10 Gbps
19
Q
USB 3.0 Gen 2x2 speeds
A
20 Gbps
20
Q
USB 4.0 speeds
A
40 Gbps
21
Q
USB-C speeds
A
10 Gbps +
22
Q
Standard rectangular plug
A
Type A
23
Q
Square plug (printers, scanners)
A
Type B
24
Q
Older small form factor USB
A
Mini USB
25
USB used for older smartphones and accessories
Micro USB
26
High-Definition video/audio
HDMI
27
High-performance alternative to HDMI
DisplayPort
28
Digital and analog support (older standard)
DVI
29
Analog video (outdated, still found in some systems)
VGA
30
High-speed data & video transfer
Thunderbolt
31
Common for internal HDDs/SSDs
SATA
32
External version of SATA
eSATA
33
Legacy drive connection
IDE/PATA
34
Older high-speed interface for servers
SCSI
35
Apple proprietary connector
Lightning
36
Used for legacy networking and peripherals
Serial Cables
37
Power connector for older drives/fans
Molex
38
The ability to read and write information to the system using an optical
device
CD Drive
39
A physical button, that when pushed, sends an electrical signal from a
cable directly to the motherboard that tells the computer to turn on
Power Button
40
Used to connect headphones and microphones to the computer using a
1/8th inch Mini-Jack
Audio Jack
41
Used to connect other peripherals, like a mouse, a keyboard, a webcam,
a printer, or other devices to a computer
SuperSpeed USB Connectors
42
Blows hot air out of the CPU, the motherboard, and the case which
expels the extra heat out of the system to keep the component insides
cool
Cooling Fan
43
Used to connect a monitor, TV, or another device for a video output
display
HDMI Connector
44
Provides net access to local area networks over a wired connection
RJ 45 Connector
45
An optical connector that allows high quality audio to a surround sound
system
-USB 2.0 speeds are good for a microphone, a mouse, or a keyboard
SPDIF Connector
46
Allows the ability to place a metal cable from the desk to the computer
tower to ensure the computer tower is not stolen
Kensington Lock
47
replaced older serial cables (DB9, DB25).
-Serial cables were slow (max 115 kbps) and only allowed one device per port.
USB
48
USB supports up to 127 devices per controller via _______ with hubs
Daisy Chaining
49
USB 1.0 & 3.x+ cable length limits
3m (9ft) max
50
USB 1.1 & 2.0 cable length limits
5m (15ft) max
51
Longer cables can cause
signal loss and reduce speeds.
52
A D-shaped sub miniature pin that goes into the back of a computer and
has two thumb screws on the side
DB 25 Connector
53
A slow speed connection for much older mice keyboards and other
external modems
DB 9 Connector
54
* Most widely used video interface (TVs, gaming consoles, Blu-ray, computers).
* Supports multiple resolutions:
o 1080p (1920x1080) HD
o 4K & 8K with refresh rates of 60Hz, 120Hz, and 144Hz
HDMI
55
ensures secure device connection (e.g., Roku to TV).
HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)
56
Most common HDMI
Type A (Full Size)
57
HDMI Used in cameras, smaller devices
Type C (Mini HDMI)
58
Smallest HDMI, used in compact devices
Type D (Micro HDMI)
59
HDMI Category - Supports up to 1080p @ 60Hz
Category 1 (Standard HDMI)
60
HDMI Category - Supports 4K, 8K, and higher refresh rates
Category 2 (High-Speed HDMI)
61
Developed by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) as an alternative to HDMI.
-Supports video, audio, digital content protection, 4K+ resolutions.
DisplayPort
62
DisplayPort with Locking mechanism for secure connection
Full-Size DisplayPort
63
Type of DisplayPort Used in smaller devices
Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP or mDP)
64
DP Older versions speeds
2.7 Gbps
65
DP new version speeds
Up to 20 Gbps
66
Older video standard supporting both analog & digital signals.
* Used before HDMI became common; still found in older computers.
* Connector has pins instead of a flat plug like HDMI/DisplayPort.
DVI (Digital Visual Interface
67
DVI-A
Analog Only
68
DVI-D
Digital Only
69
DVI-I
Supports both analog and Digital
70
* Analog-only 15-pin connector, used in older systems.
* Each pin controls a part of the signal (e.g., color, sync).
* Found in legacy systems (e.g., old government/military equipment).
VGA (Video Graphics Array)
71
* High-speed data & video interface originally developed by Apple, now used across devices.
o Often used for high-speed data storage and video output
Thunderbolt
72
Uses Mini DisplayPort (mDP) connector
Thunderbolt 1 and 2
73
Uses USB-C connector, supports USB-C devices
Thunderbolt 3
74
Thunderbolt 3 speeds and max cable length
40 Gbps (max cable length 0.5m / 1.6ft for full speed)
75
o Standard method for connecting storage devices to motherboards.
o Used for internal hard drives, optical drives.
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)
76
7-pin Data Cable for SATA
Transfers Data
77
15-pin Power Cable for SATA
Provides power
78
SATA 1 speeds
1.5 Gbps
79
SATA 2 speeds
3 Gbps
80
SATA 3 speeds
6 Gbps
81
o Allows SATA connection externally.
o Faster than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) when introduced.
o Became less common with USB 3 & USB 4 offering 10-40 Gbps.
eSATA
82
o Predecessor to SATA.
o Uses a 40-pin flat ribbon cable.
o Parallel connection allowed two devices per cable.
o Required a MOLEX 4-pin power connector.
o Rarely found on modern motherboards.
IDE/PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment)
83
o Legacy parallel bus connector.
o Supported daisy-chaining multiple devices.
o Mostly obsolete, except in older servers and legacy systems.
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)
84
Narrow SCSI amount of supported devices
7
85
Wide SCSI amount of supported devices
15
86
SCSI cable Required MOLEX for power
68-pin High-Density Cable
87
SCSI cable Combined data & power.
80-pin SCA (Single Connector Attachment)
