Motherboards, CPUs add on cards( Comptia Objective 3.5) Flashcards
What voltages are supplied to an ATX motherboard?
- Voltages provided include +3.3V, +5V, +12V, and -12V outputs and +5V standby output.
Description of ATX motherboard?
- 12” wide x 9.6 “ deep
- RAM slots and expansion slots are perpendicular to each other
Description of a Micro ATX motherboard?
- Square shaped 9.6” wide by 9.6” deep
- Smaller than an ATX but backwards compatible with it.
Description of an Mini-ITX motherboard?
- Square shaped. 6.7” wide x 6.7” deep
- Designed for smaller sized computer systems such as an HTPC or streaming box.
What is the difference between a PCIe x 1 slot and a PCIe x 16slot
- Visually the x 16 is much larger and typically used for PCIe video cards. They have 16 lane bus width. and are full duplex. the x16 slot communicates directly with the Northbridge
- x1 expansion slot is much smaller and is typically used for other expansion cards outside of video cards and only has 1 lane bus width( often connected to the south bridge)
What are the 8 steps involved in Installing a video card?
- Check if the card is compatible
- Ready the computer( Make sure computer is off)
- Ready the Video Card( remove from package/antistatic bag)implement anti ESD measures
- Document( take pics of card location, screws etc)
- Prepare the Slot( use phillips screwdriver to remove covers etc)
- Install the card into the slot: Insert using both thumbs.
- Connect Cables( e.g power cables/ 6-8 pin PCIE conenctor etc)
- Test
How are Sound Cards installed?
- Sound cards are typically installed in a PCIE expansion slot or integrated into the motherboard itself.
What are the colours of the PC99 sound TRS and what do they signify?
- Light Blue - Line input.
- Pink - Microphone input
- Lime Green: Main output for stereo speakers or headphones
- Black: Output for surround sound speakers( rear speakers)
- Silver/Brown: Output for additional two speakers in a 7.1 system( middle surround speakers)
- Orange : Output for center speaker and subwoofer.
How can you test that a NIC is working properly?
- You can use the loopback ping function by going into cmd and typing “ ping 127.0.0.1” or ping “localhost”
How do you install an external eSATA adapter card?
- Similar to installing a video card
- Unscrew the slot cover
- Insert the expansion card straight down into slot
- Then screw card in.
- Go into device manager and ensure device is shown if not download correct driver from manufacturer and install.
What is secure boot?
- This is an option within the bios on UEFI systems if enabled that blocks rootkits and other malware from launching boot loaders that have been tampered with.
What are the two most commonly used terms for CPUS?
- Bus speed( the base clock of the motherboard)
- Clock speed( The frequency of the CPU)
When it comes to CPU’s what are the differences between Hyper-Threading and multicore technologies?
- Hyper-Threading enables a single core CPU to calculate two instruction sets simultaneously
- Multi Core CPU’s calculate two or more instruction sets simultaneously( one instruction per core) .
- HT technology essentially simulates multicore CPUS.
What are the differences between an PGA and a LGA CPU socket?
- PGA( Pin Grid Array) sockets accept CPUs that have pins on the underside , the pins are then pressed gently into place by the sockets retaining arm
- LGA( Land Grid Array) sockets use lands that protrude out and touch the CPUs contact points. These type of CPUS don’t have pins that stick out on the underside. They offer better power distribution than PGA
Typically AMD CPUs use which kind of socket?
PGA
