Chapter 3 CPUs

Question 1

The ________________, also called the microprocessor, is a single silicon-based electronic chip that makes your computer…well, a computer.

Answer 1

central processing unit (CPU),

Question 2

Which of the following is the ‘grandaddy’ of all CPUs?
a. Intel 8088
b. Intel 8089
c. Intel 9088
d. Intel 9089

Answer 2

a. Intel 8088, invented in the late 1970s

Question 3

EDB stand for?

Answer 3

external data bus (EDB)

Question 4

What are the four most common registers?

Answer 4

the general-purpose registers. Intel named them AX, BX, CX, and DX.

Question 5

What do registers provide for the CPU?
A. Registers determine the clock speed.
B.The CPU uses registers for temporary storage of internal commands and data.
C. Registers enable the CPU to address RAM.
D.Registers enable the CPU to control the address bus.

Answer 5

B. The CPU uses registers for temporary storage of internal commands and data.

Question 6

What function does the external data bus have in the PC?
A.The external data bus determines the clock speed for the CPU.
B.The CPU uses the external data bus to address RAM.
C.The external data bus provides a channel for the flow of data and commands between the CPU and RAM. D.The CPU uses the external data bus to access registers.

Answer 6

C. The external data bus provides a channel for the flow of data and commands between the CPU and RAM.

Question 7

What is the function of the address bus in the PC?
A.The address bus enables the CPU to communicate with the memory controller chip.
B.The address bus enables the memory controller chip to communicate with the RAM.
C.The address bus provides a channel for the flow of data and commands between the CPU and RAM.
D.The address bus enables the CPU to access registers.

Answer 7

A. The address bus enables the CPU to communicate with the memory controller chip.

Question 8

Which of the following terms are measures of CPU speed?
A. Megahertz and gigahertz
B. Megabytes and gigabytes
C. Megahertz and gigabytes
D. Frontside bus, backside bus

Answer 8

A. The terms megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz) describe how many million or billion (respectively) cycles per second a CPU can run.

Question 9

Which CPU feature enables the microprocessor to support running multiple operating systems at the same time?
A. Clock multiplying
B. Caching
C. Pipelining
D. Virtualization support

Answer 9

D. Intel and AMD CPUs come with virtualization support, enabling more efficient implementation of virtual machines.

Question 10

Into which socket could you place an Intel Core i5?
A. Socket LGA 2011
B. Socket LGA 1151
C. Socket C
D. Socket AM3+

Answer 10

B. You’ll find Core i5 processors in several socket types, notably LGA 1150 and LGA 1151.

Question 11

Which feature enables a single-core CPU to function like two CPUs?
A. Hyper-Threading
B. SpeedStep
C. Virtualization
D. x64

Answer 11

A. Intel loves its Hyper-Threading, where a single-core CPU can function like a dual-core CPU as long as it has operating system support.

Question 12

What steps do you need to take to install a Core i3 CPU into an FM2+ motherboard?
A.Lift the ZIF socket arm; place the CPU according to the orientation markings; snap on the heat-sink and fan assembly.
B.Lift the ZIF socket arm; place the CPU according to the orientation markings; add a dash of thermal paste; snap on the heat-sink and fan assembly.
C.Lift the ZIF socket arm; place the CPU according to the orientation markings; snap on the heat-sink and fan assembly; plug in the fan.
D.Take all of the steps you want to take because it’s not going to work.

Answer 12

D. Intel and AMD processors are not compatible at all.

Question 13

A client calls to complain that his computer starts up, but crashes when Windows starts to load. After a brief set of questions, you find out that his nephew upgraded his RAM for him over the weekend and couldn’t get the computer to work right afterward. What could be the problem?
A. Thermal paste degradation
B. Disconnected CPU fan
C. Bad CPU cache
D.There’s nothing wrong. It usually takes a couple of days for RAM to acclimate to the new system.

Answer 13

B. Most likely, the nephew disconnected the CPU fan to get at the RAM slots and simply forgot to plug it back in.

Question 14

Darren has installed a new CPU in a client’s computer, but nothing happens when he pushes the power button on the case. The LED on the motherboard is lit up, so he knows the system has power. What could the problem be?
A. He forgot to disconnect the CPU fan.
B.He forgot to apply thermal paste between the CPU and the heat-sink and fan assembly.
C.He used an AMD CPU in an Intel motherboard.
D.He used an Intel CPU in an AMD motherboard.

Answer 14

B. The best answer here is that he forgot the thermal paste, though you can also make an argument for a disconnected fan.

Question 14

1 megahertz (1 MHz)= _____________?
a. 1 cycle per second
b. 2 cycle per second
c. 1 million cycles per second
d. 2 million cycles per second

Answer 14

c. 1 million cycles per second

1 megahertz (1 MHz) = 1 million cycles per second

Question 14

The bell on a real CPU is a special wire called the ___________?
a. Wire Clock
b. Clock Wire
c. Special Wire
d. Clock Special

Answer 14

b. Clock Wire (most diagrams label the clock wire CLK).

Question 14

The maximum number of clock cycles that a CPU can handle in a given period of time is referred to as its ____________?
a. Clock cycle
b. Clock Speed
c. Cycle Speed
d. CPU Clock

Answer 14

b. Clock Speed

The clock speed is the fastest speed at which a CPU can operate, determined by the CPU manufacturer.

Question 14

A single charge to the CLK wire is called a_________________?
a. Clock cycle
b. Clock Wire
c. Cycle Clock
d. CPU Clock

Answer 14

a. Clock cycle.

For the CPU to process a command placed on the EDB, a certain minimum voltage must be applied to the CLK wire. A single charge to the CLK wire is called a clock cycle. Actually, the CPU requires at least two clock cycles to act on a command, and usually more. In fact, a CPU may require hundreds of clock cycles to process some commands.

Question 14

High-end CPUs today run at speeds in excess of 5 GHz (5 billion cycles per second).

1 hertz (1 Hz)= _____________?

a. 1 cycle per second
b. 2 cycle per second
c. 1 million cycles per second
d. 2 million cycles per second

Answer 14

a. 1 cycle per second

1 hertz (1 Hz) = 1 cycle per second

Question 15

1 gigahertz (1 GHz) = __________________?
a. 1 million cycles per second
b. 2 million cycles per second
c. 1 billion cycles per second
d. 2 billion cycles per second

Answer 15

c. 1 billion cycles per second

1 gigahertz (1 GHz) = 1 billion cycles per second

Question 16

A CPU’s clock speed is its _____________ speed, not the speed at which it must ____________.
a. A CPU’s clock speed is its maximum run, not the speed at which it must speed.
b. A CPU’s clock speed is its maximum speed, not the speed at which it must run.
c. A CPU’s clock speed is its minimum speed, not the speed at which it must run.
d. A CPU’s clock speed is its maximum cycles, not the speed at which it must run.

Answer 16

b. A CPU’s clock speed is its maximum speed, not the speed at which it must run.

A CPU can run at any speed, as long as that speed does not exceed its clock speed.

Question 17

The ___________ determines the speed at which a CPU and the rest of the PC operate.
a. System Clock
b. System Speed
c. System Crystal
d. System Oscillator

Answer 17

c. System Crystal

The system crystal is usually a quartz oscillator, very similar to the one in a wristwatch, soldered to the motherboard.

Question 18

Which is a series of commands sent to a CPU in a specific order for the CPU to perform work?
a. Codebook
b. Orders
c. Program
d. EDB

Answer 18

c. Program

Question 19

Devices that in any way hold ones and zeros that the CPU accesses are known generically as _____________.
a. Register
b. EDB
c. Program
D. Memory

Answer 19

D. Memory

Computers need some other device that takes copies of programs from the hard drive and then sends them, one line at a time, to the CPU quickly enough to keep up with its demands. Because each line of code is nothing more than a pattern of eight ones and zeros, any device that can store ones and zeros eight-across will do.

Question 20

What RAM stand for?
a. Random Agro Matter
b. Random Accessible Memory
c. Random Access Memory
d. Random Access Mode

Answer 20

c. Random Access Memory

The CPU needs to be able to read and write to this storage medium. Additionally, this system must enable the CPU to jump to any line of stored code as easily as to any other line of code.

Question 21

Which one below is not true:

Any individual 1 or 0 = a bit
4 bits = a nibble
8 bits = a byte
16 bits = a doodle
32 bits = a double word
64 bits = a paragraph or quad word

Answer 21

16 bits = a doodle

*Any individual 1 or 0 = a bit
* 4 bits = a nibble
* 8 bits = a byte
* 16 bits = a word
* 32 bits = a double word
*64 bits = a paragraph or quad word

Question 22

Computers use _________________ for the main system memory.
a. Duo RAM
b. Duality RAM
c. Dynamic RAM
d. Drastic RAM

Answer 22

c. Dynamic RAM

DRAM needs both a constant electrical charge and a periodic refresh of the circuits; otherwise, it loses data—that’s what makes it dynamic rather than static in content.

Question 23

MCC stand for?
a. Memory command chip
b. Memory controller chip
c. Memory controlled chip
d. Memory circuitry chip

Answer 23

b. Memory controller chip

The MCC contains special circuitry so it can grab the contents of any line of RAM and place that data or command on the EDB. This in turn enables the CPU to act on that code

Question 24

Once the MCC is in place to grab any discrete byte of RAM, the CPU needs to be able to tell the MCC which line of code it needs. The CPU therefore gains a second set of wires, called the ____________?
a. Address RAM
b. Placement bus
c. Address Bus
d. Placement RAM

Answer 24

c. Address Bus

By turning the address bus wires on and off in different patterns, the CPU tells the MCC which line of RAM it wants at any given moment.

Question 25

ALU stand for?
a. arithmetic logic unit
b. arithmetic logical unit
c. arithmetic legal unit
d. arithmetic line unit

Answer 25

a. arithmetic logic unit

Question 26

AMD stand for?
a. Advanced Macro Devices
b. Advanced Micro Devices
c. Advanced Motorola Devices
d. Advanced ARM devices

Answer 26

b. Advanced Micro Devices

Question 27

TDP stand for?
a. Thermal design power
b. Thermo design power
c. Thermal dip power
d. Thermal dipped power

Answer 27

a. Thermal design power

The industry describes how much heat a busy CPU generates with a figure (measured in watts) called its thermal design power (TDP). The TDP can give you a rough idea of how much energy a CPU draws and what kind of cooling it will need. It can also help you select more efficient CPUs.

Question 28

Today’s CPUs report to the motherboard through a function called _____________, and the speed and multiplier are set automatically.
a. CPUID (CPU identifier)
b. CPU DIP
c. DIP CPU
d. DIPC

Answer 28

a. CPUID (CPU identifier)

Question 29

The primary benefit of 64-bit computing is to support more than _______ of memory, the limit with 32-bit processing.
a. 4 GB
b. 6 GB
c. 8 GB
d. 16 GB

Answer 29

EXAM TIP:The primary benefit of 64-bit computing is to support more than 4 GB of memory, the limit with 32-bit processing.

Question 30

Intel and AMD have built in support for running more than one operating system at a time, a process called ____________?
a. Standpoint
b. Virtuality technology
c. Virtualization
d. Parallel execution

Answer 30

c. Virtualization

Question 31

The CompTIA A+ 1001 objectives refer to virtualization support as the ________________ CPU feature.
a. virtual technology
b. Virtualization
c. Parallel execution
d. Standpoint

Answer 31

a. virtual technology

Question 32

Modern CPUs can process multiple commands and parts of commands in parallel, known as ___________________?
a. virtual technology
b. Virtualization
c. Parallel execution
d. Standpoint

Answer 32

c. Parallel execution

The CPUs accomplish this parallelism through multiple pipelines, dedicated cache, and the capability to work with multiple threads or programs at one time.

Question 33

Pipelining:To get a command from the data bus, do the calculation, and then send the answer back out onto the data bus, a CPU takes at least four steps (each of these steps is called a stage):
a. Write, Execute, Decode, Fetch
b. Fetch, Write, Decode, Execute
c. Decode, Fetch, Write, Execute
d. Fetch, Decode, Execute, Write

Answer 33

d. Fetch, Decode, Execute, Write

1. Fetch - Get the data from the EDB.
2. Decode - Figure out what type of command needs to be executed.
3. Execute - Perform the calculation.
4. Write - Send the data back onto the EDB.

Question 34

Pipelining CPUs work fantastically well as long as the pipelines stay filled with instructions. Because the CPU runs faster than the RAM can supply it with code, you’ll always get pipeline stalls—called ________________ because the RAM can’t keep up with the CPU.
a. Stall state
b. Wait states
c. Statis states
d. Cache states

Answer 34

b. Wait states

Question 35

To reduce wait states, CPUs come with built-in, very high-speed RAM called _________________?
a. Static RAM (SRAM)
b. Dual RAM (DRAM)
c. Copy RAM (CRAM)
d. Single RAM (SNRAM)

Meyers, Mike. CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Tenth Edition (Exams 220-1001 & 220-1002) (p. 107). McGraw Hill LLC. Kindle Edition.

Answer 35

a. Static RAM (SRAM)

This SRAM preloads as many instructions as possible and keeps copies of already run instructions and data in case the CPU needs to work on them again.

Question 36

Typically, the CompTIA A+ exams expect you to know that ___ cache will be the smallest and fastest cache; ____ will be bigger and slower than L1; and ____ will be the biggest and slowest cache.
a. L1, L2, L3
b. L3, L2, L1
c. L2, L1, L3
d. L1, L3, L2

Answer 36

a. L1, L2, L3

EXAM TIP:Typically, the CompTIA A+ exams expect you to know that L1 cache will be the smallest and fastest cache; L2 will be bigger and slower than L1; and L3 will be the biggest and slowest cache. (This is not completely true anymore, with L1 and L2 running the same speed in many CPUs, but it is how it will appear on the exams.)

Question 37

________________ enabled the Pentium 4 to run multiple threads at the same time, what’s generically called simultaneous multithreading, effectively turning the CPU into two CPUs on one chip—with a catch.
a. Multithreading
b. Hyper-Threading
c. Super Threading
d. Loop Threadin

Answer 37

b. Hyper-Threading

Question 38

_________ enhances a CPU’s efficiency but with a couple of limitations. First, the operating system and the application must be designed to take advantage of the feature. Second, although the CPU simulates the actions of a second processor, it doesn’t double the processing power because the main execution resources are not duplicated.
a. Multithreading
b. Hyper-Threading
c. Super Threading
d. Loop Threading

Answer 38

a. Multithreading

Question 39

CPU manufacturers engineered the cores in multicore CPUs to divide up work independently of the OS, known as ___________________
a. Multithreading
b. multicore processing
c. Modified processing
d. Turbo boost

Answer 39

b. multicore processing

This differs from Hyper-Threading, where the OS and applications must be written specifically to handle the multiple threads. Note that even with multicore processors, applications must be modified or optimized for this parallelism to have a huge impact on performance.

Question 40

What does IMC stand for?
a. integrated memory controller
b. integrated micro controller
c. integrated macro controller
d. integrated mini controller

Answer 40

a. integrated memory controller

All current microprocessors have an integrated memory controller (IMC), moved from the motherboard chip into the CPU to optimize the flow of information into and out from the CPU. IMC enables faster control over things like the large L3 cache shared among multiple cores.

Question 41

The generic term for the video processor is a ________________?
a. graphics processing unit (GPU)
b. Memory Card
c. RAM
d. DRAM

Answer 41

a. graphics processing unit (GPU)

CPU. Integrating a GPU into the CPU enhances the overall performance of the computer while at the same time reducing energy use, size, and cost.

Question 42

What does DEP stands for?
a. Deep Execution Prevention
b. Data Execution Property
c. Deep Execution Program
d. Data Execution Prevention

Answer 42

d. Data Execution Prevention

All modern processors employ the NX bit technology that enables the CPU to protect certain sections of memory. This feature, coupled with implementation by the operating system, stops malicious attacks from getting to essential operating system files. Microsoft calls the feature Data Execution Prevention (DEP), turned on by default in every OS

Question 43

Intel processor numbers follow a very clear pattern. An Intel Core i7 7500 U processor, for example, maps out like this:
* Intel Core = brand
* i7 = brand modifier
* 7 = generation
* 500 = SKU numbers
*U = ???

a. U = alpha suffix (U indicates that it’s a desktop processor using ultra-low power)
b. U = beta Suffix (U indicates that it’s a desktop processor using ultra-low power)
c. U = delta Suffix (U indicates that it’s a desktop processor using ultra-low power)
d. U = Sigma Suffix (U indicates that it’s a desktop processor using ultra-low power)

Answer 43

a. U = alpha suffix (U indicates that it’s a desktop processor using ultra-low power)

Question 44

AMD processor nomenclature is similar. Here’s the breakdown for an AMD Ryzen 7 2700X:
* AMD Ryzen = brand
* 7 = market segment
* 2 = ??????
* 7 = performance level
* 00 = model number
* X = power (X indicates high-performance)

a. generation
b. model generation
c. make
d. processor power

Answer 44

a. generation

Question 45

Intel CPUs use a ________________ (LGA) package for socketed CPUs, where the underside of the CPU has hundreds of contact points that line up with the socket pins.
a. Land grey array
b. Land grid array
c. Low grid array
d. Low grey array

Answer 45

b. Land grid array

Question 46

AMD CPUs have the pins; the sockets have holes. The pins on the AMD ____________ (PGA) CPUs align with the holes in the sockets.
a. pin grid array
b. pen grid array
c. power grid array
d. power grey array

Answer 46

a. pin grid array

Question 47

What does ZIF stands for in terms of sockets (PC installation)?
a. zero insertion force
b. zero inert force
c. zero identity force
d. zero indicator force

Answer 47

a. zero insertion force

Align the processor with the socket and gently drop the processor into place. If it doesn’t go in easily, check the orientation and try again. These sockets are generically called zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets, which means you never have to use any force at all.

Question 48

CPUs work very hard and thus require power to function. In electrical terms, CPUs consume_______________, a unit of electrical power.
a. Voltage
b. Wattage or watts
c. Voltz
d. Amps

Answer 48

b. Wattage or watts

Question 49

A heat sink by itself (no fan) on a chip provides _________ cooling.
a. active
b. non-active
c. passive
d. non-passive

Answer 49

c. passive

Question 50

A heat sink and fan combination provides _________cooling.
a. active
b. non-active
c. passive
d. non-passive

Answer 50

a. active

You’ll sometimes hear the latter described as an active heat sink.

Question 51

A ________ is a copper or other metal device designed to dissipate heat from whatever it touches.
a. heat sink
b. power supply
c. copper wires
d. thermal paste

Answer 51

a. heat sink

Question 52

OEM stands for?
a. original equipment manufacturer
b. original echo manufacturer
c. original equipment manual
d. original extreme manufacturer

Answer 52

a. original equipment manufacturer

OEM CPU coolersOriginal equipment manufacturer (OEM) heat-sink and fan assemblies are included with most Intel and AMD retail-boxed CPUs. OEM in this case means that Intel makes the heat-sink/fan assemblies.

Question 53

______________ works by running some liquid—usually water—through a metal block that sits on top of your CPU, absorbing heat.
a. water cooling
b. plasma cooling
c. ice cooling
d. liquid cooling

Answer 53

d. liquid cooling

The liquid gets heated by the block, runs out of the block and into something that cools the liquid, and is then pumped through the block again.

Question 54

In some instances, you can create a system that has no fan for the CPU, what’s called ____________. Aside from mobile devices (like an Apple iPad) that have no fans, the term can be very misleading.
a. fanless cooling
b. liquid cooling
c. static cooling
d. passive cooling

Answer 54

a. fanless cooling

EXAM TIP:In some instances, you can create a system that has no fan for the CPU, what’s called fanless cooling. Aside from mobile devices (like an Apple iPad) that have no fans, the term can be very misleading. The Xeon CPUs powering the servers in my office, for example, only have heat sinks with no fans. On the other hand, they have ducts directly to the case fans, which serve the same function as an active CPU fan.

Question 55

Before inserting the heat sink, you need to add a small amount of ____________
a. Glue and paste
b. Thermal paste
c. Liquid cooling
d. Aluminum

Answer 55

b. Thermal paste
(also called thermal compound, heat dope, or nasty silver goo).

Question 56

_________ might make your system unstable and prone to system lockups, reboots, and unexpected shutdowns.
a. Overclocking
b. Passive Heat
c. Overclacking
d. Extreme Tuning

Answer 56

a. Overclocking

Overclocking has been known to destroy CPUs. Overclocking might make your system unstable and prone to system lockups, reboots, and unexpected shutdowns.

Question 57

Most motherboards have a jumper setting or a button called _________________ that makes the CMOS go back to default settings.
a. DMOS clear or CLRTC
b. PMOS clear or PLRTC
c. CMOS clear or CLRTC
d. SMOS clear or SLRTC

Answer 57

c. CMOS clear or CLRTC

Before you try overclocking on a modern system, find the CMOS-clear jumper or button and make sure you know how to use it! Hint: Look in the motherboard manual.

To clear the CMOS, turn off the PC. Then locate one of those tiny little plastic pieces (officially called a shunt) and place it over the two jumper wires for a moment. Next, restart the PC and immediately go into CMOS and restore the settings you need.

Question 58

Which is the most common CPU issue?
a. Overclocking
b. Overheating
c. Catastrophic failures
d. Accidents

Answer 58

b. Overheating

Troubleshooting CPU issues falls into two categories: overheating and catastrophic failures, with overheating being far more common than the latter.

Question 59

T or F: Too much thermal paste can impede the flow of heat from the CPU to the heat sink and cause the CPU to heat up rapidly.

Answer 59

True

Question 60

T or F: All modern CPUs have built-in fail-safes that tell them to shut down before getting damaged by heat.

Answer 60

True

Question 61

T or F: Not enough thermal paste or thermal paste spread unevenly can cause the CPU to heat up and consequently shut itself down.

Answer 61

True

Question 62

T or F: Failure to connect the fan power to the motherboard can cause the CPU to heat up and shut itself down.

Answer 62

True

Question 63

T or F: If the intake vent is clogged or the exhaust fans stop working or are blocked somehow, the inside of the case can heat up and overwhelm the CPU cooling devices.

Answer 63

True