Core 1

Question 1

Your goal is to build the fastest computer possible. Which of the following hard drive technologies should you choose for the fastest read performance?

A. M.2 SATA
B. M.2 PCIe
C. NVMe SATA
D. NVMe PCIe

Answer 1

: NVMe PCIe

M.2 and NVMe are both relatively new SSD options, and both are incredibly fast. NVMe is slightly faster, though. SATA is limited to 600 MBps transfer speeds, whereas PCIe is not. An NVMe PCIe card can sustain data read rates of about 3,500 MBps.

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Question 2

Due to government regulations, a client wants to preserve data for a long period of time. What kind of media is most commonly used when large amounts of data need to be archived on a regular basis?

A. External hard drive
B. Optical disc
C. Tape
D. Network share

Answer 2

: Tape

Although inefficient as an interactive medium, sequential tape-based storage continues to be developed in increasing capacities. Tape continues to be a good choice for frequently backing up large amounts of data for redundancy and archival purposes. Optical discs don’t have the same capacity, and neither do external hard drives. The cloud could be an option, but that is different from a network share.

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Question 3

You are installing a new hard drive and want to know if the operating system will be able to support it. What is the largest NTFS volume size supported, assuming a 64 KB cluster size as maximum?

A. 1 TB
B. 256 TB
C. 128 TB
D. 2 TB

Answer 3

: 256 TB

A fixed number of clusters is supported by each operating system, leading to a corresponding maximum volume size. If the maximum NTFS cluster size of 64 KB is used, NTFS can support a single-volume size of 64 KB less than 256 TB. When a cluster size of one sector, or 512 bytes (1/2 KB), is used, the maximum volume size reduces to 2 TB. Because of this math, 1 TB and 128 TB are incorrect answers.

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Question 4

You have been asked to configure a RAID 5 system for a client. Which of the following statements about RAID 5 is true?

A. It provides fault tolerance but no performance improvement.

B. It requires at least three drives to implement.

C. If multiple drives in the array fail, the data can be saved provided that one drive is still operational.

D. It provides performance improvement but no fault tolerance.

Answer 4

: It requires at least three drives to implement.

RAID 5 arrays require a minimum of three hard drives to implement. If one drive fails, the data is fine and the system can still function, albeit slowly. If more than one drive fails, the system will be inoperable. RAID 5 provides both fault tolerance and a performance improvement.

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Question 5

You are choosing a flash standard for a client. They want the smallest flash cards possible. Which standard should you recommend?

A.  miniSD
B.  microSD
C.  CompactFlash
D.  SD
E.  xD

Answer 5

: microSD

The smallest of the options is microSD, at 15 mm x 11 mm. Perhaps “micro” gives it away, but that also makes it easy to remember. SD cards are 32 mm x 24 mm. CompactFlash cards are the largest, at 36 mm x 43 mm. MiniSD cards measure at 21.5 mm x 20 mm, and xD cards are 20 mm x 25 mm.

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Question 6

Of the following voltage pairings, which one accurately represents the input and output, respectively, of power supplies and AC adapters?

A. DC in, AC out
B. AC in, AC out
C. DC in, DC out
D. AC in, DC out

Answer 6

: AC in, DC out

Power supplies and AC adapters use standard wall outlets for an input of AC voltage, which they convert to the DC voltages required by the components to which they supply power.

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Question 7

You are installing a new graphics adapter in a Windows 10 system. Which of the following expansion slots is designed for high-speed, 3D graphics adapters?

A. PCIe
B. PCI
C. FireWire
D. USB

Answer 7

: PCIe

Although technically PCI could be used for graphics adapters, PCIe supports high-speed, 3D graphic video cards. PCIe offers better performance than older graphics adapters. USB and FireWire can stream video, but they are not used for attachment of internal graphics adapters.

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Question 8

You are choosing an optical drive format for a client. Which optical disc format supports a data capacity of 25 GB?

A. Double-sided, double-layer DVD+R
B. Single-sided, single-layer Blu-ray Disc
C. Double-sided, single-layer DVD-R
D. Double-sided, single-layer DVD+R

Answer 8

: Single-sided, single-layer Blu-ray Disc

Blu-ray Discs have a single-sided, single-layer capacity of 25 GB.
A double-sided, single layer DVD can store about 9.4 GB, and a double-sided, double-layer DVD can store about 171 GB.

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Question 9

You have been asked to install a new hard drive for a client. Which of the following is not a consideration when installing an internal storage device?

A. You should secure the drive with at least two screws on one side and preferably two on each side.

B. Due to the high revolutions at which modern hard drives spin, you must secure an external power source because the internal power supplies do not have the capacity.

C. You need to be sure that the routing of the drive’s data cable, if applicable, does not obstruct the engineered flow of air across internal components.

D. You should match the form factor of the drive or adapt it to an available drive bay or slot.

Answer 9

: Due to the high revolutions at which modern hard drives spin, you must secure an external power source because the internal power supplies do not have the capacity.

Today’s hard drives, regardless of their rpm, have standard internal power connections. The other options are valid concerns when installing an internal drive.

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Question 10

A client is looking for a desktop drive technology that saves money over SSDs but offers performance increases over HDDs and can be used to house the operating system. Which of the following is the best to recommend?

A. NVMe
B. Magnetic-only drive
C. Dual-drive technology
D. SSHD

Answer 10

: SSHD

A solid-state hybrid drive incorporates the features of both conventional magnetic-only hard drives and solid-state drives. As a result, the performance of an SSHD exceeds that of a hard drive but costs less than the equivalent-sized SSD. A dual-drive option still requires the purchase of a full-sized SSD. Adding the cost of the SSD and the HDD, the dual-drive solution does not satisfy the requirement of an affordable technology. NVMe is a form of solid-state drive and does not save money.

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Question 11

You need to install a new hard drive into a desktop computer, Which of the following is not one of the three major components of a hard disk drive system?

A. Hard disk
B. Disk controller
C. Drive interface
D. Host adapter

Answer 11

: Drive interface

A conventional hard disk drive system consists of the hard disk and its often-integrated controller as well as a host adapter to gain access to the rest of the computer system.
The drive interface is a common component of the controller and host adapter.

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Question 12

What are the output voltages that have been commonly produced by PC power supplies over the years?
Each correct answer represents a complete solution. Choose all that apply.

A.  -12VDC
B.  +12VDC
C.  -5VDC
D.  +5VDC
E.  3.3VDC
F.  +3.3VDC
G.  110VDC
H.  +110VDC

Answer 12

-12VDC
\+12VDC
-5VDC
\+5VDC
\+3.3VDC

PC’s power supply produces +3.3VDC, +5VDC, -5VDC, +12VDC, and -12VDC from a 110VAC input.

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Question 13

You have a motherboard with integrated video, and the video fails. You install a video add-on card. Which of the following statements are the most accurate?
Each correct answer represents a complete solution. Choose two.

A. The add-on card will function if it is bridged to the integrated video chipset.

B. The add-on card will be detected automatically and function properly if it’s PCIe.

C. For the card to work properly, you might need to disable the integrated video in the BIOS.

D. The add-on card will work properly by using the integrated card’s video driver.

E. The add-on card will not function properly because of the integrated video.

Answer 13

: The add-on card will be detected automatically and function properly if it’s PCIe.
: For the card to work properly, you might need to disable the integrated video in the BIOS.

Most likely, the new card will be detected and function properly once the computer is booted up. However, the driver will need to be installed. Odds are the new card will be a different model from the integrated card, which will require a new driver. On some systems, you will need to go into the BIOS and disable the integrated adapter. Bridging happens between two PCIe video adapters, not between integrated video chipsets.

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Question 14

You are purchasing a new video card for a desktop computer. For the best performance, which type of video card should you purchase?

A.  AGP
B.  PCI x128
C.  PCI x16
D.  PCIe x16
E.  PCIe x128

Answer 14

: PCIe x16

For a video card, the best standard currently available is PCIe, and the widest channel width is x16.
There are no PCI x16 or PCI x128 slots, nor there is a PCIe x128 slot.
AGP is an older video expansion standard that is now obsolete.

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Question 15

You install a new NIC for a user, and he asks what it does. Which of the following best characterizes the functions of this device?

A. Communications
B. Input/Output
C. Storage
D. Multimedia

Answer 15

: Communications

A network interface card (NIC) is used as a communications device. It enables the computer to talk to other computers on a network. It does not provide multimedia, input/output (such as a USB port does), or storage capabilities.

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Question 16

When replacing a power supply, which of the following tends to vary among power supplies and must be chosen properly to support all connected devices?

A. Voltage
B. Wattage
C. Resistance
D. Amperage

Answer 16

: Wattage

Power supplies are rated in watts. When you purchase a power supply, you should make sure the devices inside the computer do not require more wattage than the chosen power supply can offer. The voltage is fairly standard among power supplies, and it has nothing to do with the devices connected to the power supply. Amperage and resistance are not selling points for power supplies. Another thing that could vary is the number of power connectors—make sure the new power supply has enough to support all installed peripherals.

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Question 17

You are installing a new power supply in a desktop computer. Which of the following statements about power supplies is true?

A. Power supplies supply power to ATX-based motherboards with connectors known commonly as P8 and P9.

B. SATA hard drives most often use the same type of power connector that PATA hard drives use.

C. You must make sure that the voltage selector switch on the back of the power supply is switched to the lower setting if the computer is going to be used in Europe.

D. Power supplies convert AC input to DC output.

Answer 17

: Power supplies convert AC input to DC output.

PC power supplies accept alternating current (AC) as input and produce direct current (DC) for the internal components. Europe requires the voltage selector switch be set at the higher setting. SATA drives most often use a specific power connector that is not compatible with the Molex connector used by PATA drives. Legacy AT-based motherboards called for P8 and P9 connectors; ATX motherboards have a newer 20- or 24-pin single power connector.

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Question 18

When installing multiple add-on cards of the same type, which type of cards might you need to bridge together to function as a single unit?

A. eSATA
B. USB
C. Sound
D. Video

Answer 18

: Video

PCIe video cards may be bridged together, enabling two cards to function as one system. Sound cards and I/O expansion cards such as USB and eSATA cards do not have bridging capabilities.

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Question 19

Which of the following is not a consideration when upgrading power supplies?

A. You might find that your case has a nonremovable power supply.

B. You might find that your power rating is not adequate on the new power supply.

C. You might find that you do not have enough of the appropriate connectors coming from the power supply for the devices that you have installed.

D. You might find that you do not have a matching motherboard connector on your new power supply.

Answer 19

: You might find that your case has a nonremovable power supply.

Personal computers do not have permanently installed power supplies. Like other electrical and electronic components, power supplies can and do fail on a regular basis. Permanently mounting a power supply to a chassis would be a disservice to the consumer. You should consider the cumulative power needs of your installed components, and you might have to obtain adapters and splitters if you do not have enough or you have the wrong types of connectors coming from the power supply.

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Question 20

Which of the following best describes the concept of hot-swappable devices?

A. Care must be taken when swapping the device because it can be hot to the touch.

B. The device can be swapped while still hot, immediately after powering down the system.

C. Power does not need to be turned off before the device is inserted or removed.

D. The device can be removed with power applied after it is properly stopped in the operating system.

Answer 20

: Power does not need to be turned off before the device is inserted or removed.

Hot-swappable devices can be removed while the power to the system is still on. Warm-swappable devices need to be stopped in the operating system before being removed. The term has nothing to do with the heat level of the device.

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