Motherboards

Question 1

Volatile Storage – Speed and Example

Answer 1

Volatile storage, such as RAM, operates at faster speeds, typically measured in GHz.

Question 2

Non-Volatile Storage – Speed and Example

Answer 2

Non-volatile storage, like HDDs and SSDs, operates at slower speeds, usually measured in MHz.

Question 3

ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) – Dimensions and Features

Answer 3

ATX has dimensions of 12 x 9.6 inches (305 x 244 mm), featuring up to 7 expansion slots and integrated ports, compatible with larger cases.

Question 4

ITX (Information Technology eXtended) – Purpose and Popularity

Answer 4

ITX was designed as an ATX replacement, with Mini-ITX becoming popular due to its compact design and one expansion slot.

Question 5

X86 (32-bit Architecture) – Background and Characteristics

Answer 5

Developed by Intel in the late 1970s, x86 supports only 32-bit instructions and is limited to 4 GB of RAM, backward-compatible with older x86 software.

Question 6

X86 – Memory Limitation and Backward Compatibility

Answer 6

X86 architecture is limited to 4 GB of RAM due to its 32-bit address limitation, but it is backward-compatible with older x86 software.

Question 7

X64 (64-bit Architecture) – Background and Characteristics

Answer 7

X64 expanded from x86 to support 64-bit instructions, allowing for more than 4 GB of RAM (up to 16 EB), and can run both 64-bit and 32-bit programs.

Question 8

X64 – RAM Support and Backward Compatibility

Answer 8

X64 supports over 4 GB of RAM and is backward-compatible with x86, making it common in modern PCs for applications requiring more memory.

Question 9

ARM (Advanced RISC Machines) – Background and Characteristics

Answer 9

ARM architecture is based on RISC, optimized for low power consumption and high efficiency, commonly used in mobile devices, and recently adopted in some desktops and laptops (e.g., Apple’s M1 and M2).

Question 10

ARM – Usage and Adoption in Modern Devices

Answer 10

ARM processors are common in smartphones, tablets, and low-power devices, and are increasingly used in desktops and laptops, with Windows now supporting ARM.

Question 11

Intel Sockets – Type and Description

Answer 11

Intel uses LGA (Land Grid Array) sockets, where pins are on the motherboard, and the CPU has flat contact points.

Examples include LGA 2011, LGA 1151, and LGA 2066.

Question 12

Intel Sockets – Example Models

Answer 12

Intel sockets include LGA 2011, LGA 1151, and LGA 2066, which differ in CPU compatibility and motherboard features.

Question 13

AMD Sockets – Type and Description

Answer 13

AMD uses PGA (Pin Grid Array) sockets, where the pins are located on the CPU, and the motherboard socket has holes to accommodate them.

Question 14

AMD Sockets – Example Models

Answer 14

Common AMD sockets include AM2, AM3, and AM4, with AM4 being the current standard.

Question 15

Intel Socket Naming Convention

Answer 15

Intel uses “LGA” followed by a number (e.g., LGA 1151), where the number indicates the number of pins on the socket.

Question 16

AMD Socket Naming Convention

Answer 16

AMD uses “AM” followed by a number (e.g., AM4), with AM4 being the current standard for many AMD processors.

Question 17

Multithreading (SMT and Hyper-Threading) – Definition

Answer 17

Multithreading allows a single CPU to handle multiple threads simultaneously, improving efficiency. Intel uses Hyper-Threading, and AMD uses SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading).

Question 18

Intel Hyper-Threading vs AMD SMT

Answer 18

Intel’s Hyper-Threading enables one physical core to act as two logical cores, while AMD’s SMT performs a similar function on AMD processors.

Question 19

Limitations of Multithreading

Answer 19

Multithreading requires compatible software designed to use multiple threads to fully take advantage of this capability.

Question 20

Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) – Definition

Answer 20

SMP uses multiple physical CPUs in a system to improve performance, typically in servers or high-performance workstations.

Question 21

Requirements for SMP

Answer 21

SMP requires multiple CPU sockets on the motherboard and an OS that supports SMP, typically server OS versions (e.g., Windows Server).

Question 22

Downsides of SMP

Answer 22

SMP isn’t practical for most consumer desktops due to hardware and OS limitations.

Question 23

Multi-Core Processors – Definition

Answer 23

Multi-core processors have multiple independent cores within a single CPU, allowing the system to handle more tasks in parallel.

Question 24

Core Configurations in Multi-Core Processors

Answer 24

Multi-core processors can have different configurations: Dual-Core (2 cores), Quad-Core (4 cores), Hexa-Core (6 cores), and Octa-Core (8 cores).

Question 25

Combining Multi-Core and Multithreading

Answer 25

An 8-core processor with hyper-threading can handle 16 threads, enhancing processing power for demanding tasks.

Question 26

Virtualization Support – Purpose

Answer 26

Virtualization enables a single physical machine to emulate multiple virtual machines, each with its own OS and resources.

Question 27

Intel VT and AMD-V

Answer 27

Intel’s VT and AMD’s AMD-V are hardware technologies for virtualization, enabling efficient operation of multiple VMs.

Question 28

Additional Virtualization Features

Answer 28

SLAT (Second Level Address Translation) improves VM memory performance, while Intel EPT and AMD RVI enable faster memory handling in VMs.

Question 29

Video Cards – Purpose

Answer 29

Video cards improve graphics quality for tasks like gaming, CAD, and video editing by handling 2D/3D rendering through the GPU.

Question 30

Video Cards – Features

Answer 30

Video cards contain a GPU, high-speed memory for graphics tasks, and output ports (e.g., Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, HDMI) for connecting displays. They typically use a PCIe x16 slot.

Question 31

Capture Cards – Purpose

Answer 31

Capture cards allow input of external video (from devices like consoles or cameras) into the computer for processing or streaming.

Question 32

Capture Cards – Use Cases

Answer 32

Capture cards are used for gaming (streaming), security (recording video from cameras), and TV capture (legacy use for receiving cable TV on PCs).

Question 33

Capture Cards – Functionality

Answer 33

Capture cards convert external video signals into a digital format that the system can process.

Question 34

Sound Cards – Purpose

Answer 34

Sound cards enhance audio output quality, offering better sound options than standard motherboard audio, with support for surround sound (5.1 or 7.1).

Question 35

Sound Cards – Features

Answer 35

Sound cards provide high-quality audio ports and enhanced surround sound capabilities, though they are less common due to advanced motherboard audio.

Question 36

Network Interface Cards (NICs) – Purpose

Answer 36

NICs extend networking capabilities by adding Ethernet or Wi-Fi support to a system.

Question 37

Types of NICs

Answer 37

Ethernet NICs offer wired connections (up to 10 Gbps), while Wi-Fi NICs enable wireless networking. Both typically use a PCIe x1 slot.