CHS Part 1 (Hardware)

Question 1

What is RAM?

Answer 1

RAM
stands for Random Access Memory.
It’s a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; it’s used to store data that is being actively used by the CPU.

Question 2

Explain the difference between RAM and ROM.

Answer 2

RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory that loses its data when power is turned off. ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile memory that retains its data even when power is turned off and is typically used to store firmware.

Question 3

What is a CPU

Answer 3

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer. It executes instructions and processes data in a computer.

Question 4

Describe the function of a motherboard.

Answer 4

The motherboard is the main circuit board of the computer. It houses the CPU, RAM, and other essential components and provides connections for them to communicate with each other.

Question 5

What is a graphics card?

Answer 5

A Graphics card, also known as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), is a specialized electronic circuit designed to accelerate the creation and rendering of images, videos, and animations.

Question 6

Explain the purpose of a power supply unit (PSU)

Answer 6

The power supply unit (PSU) converts electrical power from an outlet into usable power for the computer’s components. It provides the necessary voltage and current to keep the computer running.

Question 7

What is a hard disk drive? (HDD)

Answer 7

A hard disk drive (HDD) is a data storage device that uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information. It typically uses spinning disks or platters to store data.

Question 8

Define SSD

Answer 8

SSD stands for Solid State Drive. It is a data storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data persistently. Unlike HDDs, SSDs have no moving mechanical parts.

Question 9

What is the purpose of a CPU Cooler?

Answer 9

The CPU Cooler is used to dissipate heat generated by the CPU during operation. It helps to maintain the CPU at an optimal temperature to prevent overheating.

Question 10

Explain the difference between SATA and NVMe SSDs

Answer 10

SATA SSDs use the Serial ATA Interface for data transfer, while NVMes SSDs use the NVMe (Non- Volatile Memory Express) protocol over PCIe, providing faster data transfer speeds.

Question 11

Describe the function of a CMOS battery

Answer 11

The CMOS batter powers the CMOS ( Complementary Metal Oxide-Semiconductor) memory. which stores BIOS settings and system clock information when the computer is powered off.

Question 12

What is a motherboard chipset?

Answer 12

A motherboard chipset is a set of integrated circuits that controls communication between the CPU, memory, storage devices, and peripherals connected to the motherboard.

Question 13

Explain the purpose of network interface card (NIC)

Answer 13

A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component that enables a computer to connect to a network. It provides the necessary interface for communication over a network, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi

Question 14

What is the difference between a traditional hard drive and a solid state drive?

Answer 14

A traditional hard drive (HDD) uses spinning magnetic disks to store data, while a solid-state drive (SSD) uses flash memory chips. SSDs are generally faster and more durable than HDDS.

Question 15

Describe the function of a heat sink

Answer 15

A heat sink is a passive cooling device that absorbs and dissipates heat away from a component, such as a CPU or GPU, to prevent overheating and maintain optimal operating temperatures.

Question 16

What is the purpose of BIOS?

Answer 16

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process and provides runtime services for operating systems and software.

Question 17

Explain the concept of virtual memory

Answer 17

Virtual memory is a memory management technique that extends a computer’s physical memory by using disk space as an extension of RAM. It allows the system to run programs larger than available physical memory.

Question 18

What is an expansion slot?

Answer 18

An expansion slot is a socket on a motherboard that allows for the installation of expansion cards, such as graphics cards, sound cards, or network cards, to enhance the functionality of the computer.

Question 19

Define cache memory

Answer 19

Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory located inside or close to the CPU. It stores frequently accessed data and instructions to reduce the average time to access data from the main memory.

Question 20

Explain the purpose of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

Answer 20

A UPS is a device that provides emergency power to a computer when the main power source fails. It helps prevent data loss and equipment damage during power outages.

Question 21

What is an optical drive?

Answer 21

An Optical drive is a data storage device that uses laser light to read from and write to optical discs, such as CDs. DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.

Question 22

Describe the function of a sound card

Answer 22

A sound card is a hardware component that processes audio signals and provides audio output to speakers or headphones, as well as input from microphones or other audio sources.

Question 23

What is a RAID array?

Answer 23

A RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) array is a storage technology that combines multiple disk drives into single logical unit to improve performance, reliability, or both.

Question 24

Explain the purpose of a system bus.

Answer 24

A system bus is a communication pathway that connects the CPU to other components, such as memory, storage devices, and peripherals, allowing data and instructions to be transferred between them.

Question 25

What is a BIOS update?

Answer 25

A BIOS update is a process of updating the firmware of the motherboard’s BIOS to add new features, improve compatibility, or fix bugs and security vulnerabilities.

Question 26

Describe the function of a network switch.

Answer 26

A network switch is a networking device that connects to multiple devices within a local area network (LAN) and forwards data packets between them based on their MAC addresses.

Question 27

What is a CPU socket?

Answer 27

A CPU socket is a mechanical component on a motherboard that holds and provides electrical connections for the CPU. Different CPUs may require different socket types.

Question 28

Explain the concept of overclocking.

Answer 28

Overclocking is the process of increasing a computer components clock rate( Usually the SPU or GPU) to operate at a higher speed than its official rating, often to improve performance

Question 29

What is a power connector?

Answer 29

A power connector is a cable or socket used to connect a power supply unit (PSU) to computer components, such as the motherboard, graphics card, and drives, providing them with electrical power.

Question 30

Describe the function of a cooling fan.

Answer 30

A cooling fan is a mechanical device that moves air to dissipate heat from computer components such as the CPU, GPU, or power supply, helping to maintain optimal operating temperatures.