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CompTIA A+ > Computer Power Supplies > Flashcards

Computer Power Supplies Flashcards

1
Q

24-Pin ATX

A

The largest connector on the PSU, which supplies power to the motherboard. Older ATX PSUs had 20-pin connectors which supplied a combination of 3.3V, 5V, and 12V Power.

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2
Q

4-Pin Molex

A

Originally used to connect pre-SATA floppy and hard disk drives., it is now used to provide 12V power to many different types of peripheral devices such as add-on fans, video cards and case lighting.

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3
Q

6-Pin PCIe

A

Used to provide additional power the PCIe video card. By default, a PCIe expansion slot draws 75 watts of power from the motherboard, but this isn’t enough for more powerful video cards. A 6-Pin PCIe connector provides an additional 75 watts of power and the similar 8-Pin PCIe connector provides an additional 150 watts.

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4
Q

ATX 4-Pin 12V

A

Supplies additional power to the CPU beyond what the 24-Pin connector can deliver. Some server motherboards require an EPS 12V connector. This is an 8-Pin12V connector, which supplies more power to the CPU than the ATX 12V 4-Pin connector.

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5
Q

15-Pin SATA

A

Supplies power to SATA-based hard and optical drives with different power voltages.

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6
Q

Multi-rail PSU

A

A PSU configuration that provides separate 12V circuits in order to provide extra protection against power spikes on high current circuits.

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7
Q

Power supply unit (PSU)

A

It converts AC power from the wall into the right kind of power for the individual parts of your computer.

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8
Q

PSU Wattage Calculator

A

A calculator that allows you to enter the system’s components and calculate suggested power supply output.

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9
Q

Single-rail PSU

A

A PSU configuration in which all computer components share the PSU’s single 12V circuit, drawing what they need, when they need it from a single source.

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10
Q

What power supply connector is used to provide 12V of power to add-on fans, video cards and case lighting?

A

4-Pin Molex

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11
Q

You need to replace a PSU with a higher capacity model. What tools will you need?

A

Screwdriver and electrostatic gloves.

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12
Q

What tools are required when replacing a DC power jack?

A
  • Soldering iron
  • Rosin core solder
  • Desoldering pump
  • Toothbrush
  • Isopropyl alcohol
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13
Q

What is used to convert the power provided from the outlet into usable power for the many parts inside the computer case?

A

PSU

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14
Q

Which power supply connector supplies power to SATA-based hard and optical drives?

A

15-Pin SATA

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15
Q

By default, how much power is drawn from a motherboard through a PCIe expansion slot?

A

75 Watts

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16
Q

What tool will you use to test a power supply unit (PSU)?

A

Multimeter

17
Q

What should not be considered while selecting a power supply (PSU) for a computer?

A

Considering a PSU with a low efficiency rating

18
Q

Name a tool that is safer and less prone to human error than using a multimeter to test a PSU:

A

Power supply tester

19
Q

You are testing a PSU with a power supply tester. You have plugged both the ATX 24-Pin and ATX 4-Pin power connectors into the power supply. What step will you take next?

A

Plug the PSU back into the live wall outlet.

20
Q

Which connector type is the largest connector on a power supply unit (PSU) that supplies power to the motherboard?

A

24-Pin ATX

21
Q

What will be the first step while testing a PSU with a power supply tester?

A

Power down the computer and disconnect all external cables from the chassis before opening it.

22
Q

Reasons PSU can fail:

A
  • The PSU is under powered.
  • The PSU is old or of poor quality design.
  • Electrical interference has affected the PSU. For example: a lightning strike, power surge, etc.
  • The PSU has been subjected to power brown outs.
  • The PSU is overheating. Due to insufficient ventilation, a failed fan, or accumulated dust and debris.
23
Q

Symptoms of a failing power supply.

A
  • The system fails to start up.
  • The computer powers on and then powers back off almost immediately.
  • The computer reboots unexpectedly, with or without the ‘Blue Screen of Death’ (BSoD) error screen.
  • There are intermittent lockups as you are working (small brownouts).
  • USB devices aren’t receiving power or fail altogether.
  • The system reports HDD file system corruption or other hard disk errors.
  • Both the hard disk drive and the CPU fan fail to spin simultaneously.
  • The system reports memory errors.
  • The system is overheating due to fan failure.
  • You notice it takes longer for your computer to boot and shutdown.
  • When you turn on the computer, it trips the circuit breaker for the wall power outlet.
  • You get an electric shock when you touch the computer chassis.
  • You see or smell smoke coming from the chassis.
  • You hear buzzing or other noises coming from the PSU.
  • When you boot the computer, you hear BIOS beep codes. You will need to check your computer manufacturer’s website to see which of their specific beep codes can indicate a power supply problem.
24
Q

Symptoms of failing power supply in mobile devices.

A
  • The battery is old or damaged. Rechargeable batteries are designed to take a certain number of charge and discharge cycles.
  • The plug or port where the charging unit connects the device is broken. This is most likely when the device is handled roughly when plugged in, or when connecting and disconnecting the cord.
  • The internal circuitry between the charging unit plug and the battery failed.
25
Q

Items needed to replace DC power jack.

A
  • A soldering iron
  • Rosin core solder
  • Desoldering pump
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Toothbrush
26
Q

You can use a ATX 20-Pin motherboard power connector on a 24-Pinmotherboard power socket by just leaving the end 4-Pins empty.

A

False

27
Q

A good rule of thumb for determining the wattage you need is to calculate the combined wattage required by all the components in your system, then double that number.

A

True

28
Q

The ATX form factor is a standard for most desktop computers.

A

True

29
Q

To test a PSU with a power supply tester, the first step is to power down the computer and disconnect all external cables from the chassis before opening it.

A

True

30
Q

To complete a PSU power test manually, all you need is a screwdriver and a multimeter.

A

True

CompTIA A+ (24 decks)

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