Week 2 Re-Review - Components Flashcards
What are some examples of what you’d find in an instruction set?
adding
subtracting
copying data
What are the 2 major types of CPU sockets on a motherboard?
1) Pin Grid Array (pins stick out of CPU)
2) Land Grid Array (pins stick out of the motherboard)
To run a program, what hardware needs to make a copy of it for which hardware to process it?
the RAM needs to make a copy of the program in order for the CPU to process it
What does DRAM stand for?
DRAM = Dynamic Random Access Memory
What are DIMM sticks? How are they different?
DIMM = Dual Inline Memory Module
DIMM sticks have a different sizes of pins on them
What are DRAM chips?
DRAM chips are the micro capacitors that are used to store bits information
What was created after DRAM? Explain what it stands for and what it does
After DRAM, SDRAM was created.
SDRAM = synchronous dynamic random access memory
SDRAM syncs to the computer’s clock speed for faster data processing
What is DDR SDRAM?
DDR SDRAM = Double Data Rate SDRAM
What is DDR a shortened name for?
for DDR SDRAM
How many iterations of DDR are there?
4
DDR 1-4
How has DDR outperformed previous RAM creations?
DDR has a faster access speed, uses less power, and able to store more data (larger capacity)
What are 4 specific things that motherboards should be compatible with?
CPU
RAM
Graphics Card
PSU
What’s the difference between DIMM and DRAM?
DRAM chips are installed on a DIMM unit and connected to the computer
What are some examples of DRAM chips?
DDR 1-4
How does a motherboard expand a computer’s functionality?
through the use of expansion cards/slots
What does the chipset on the motherboard do?
controls how the computer’s components talk to each other
What are the 2 chipsets on a motherboard and the difference between them?
1) Northbridge
2) Southbridge
Northbridge handles communication between RAM and video cards
Southbridge handles communication between I/O devices like keyboards, mice, hard drives, USB devices
Which chip is sometimes integrated into the CPU?
Northbridge chip is sometimes integrated into the CPU
What does PCIe stand for? What is it?
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
It allows us to connect hardware components to the motherboard that extend the computer’s functionality
Simply, what are peripherals?
Peripherals are external devices that we can connect to our computer like keyboards, mice, monitors
What’s the difference between a PCIe bus and and PCIe base expansion card?
PCIe bus = a slot
PCIe base expansion card = looks like a smaller circuit board
What is form factor?
Form factor is the size of it and how much we can fit onto it
What’s the most common form factor for motherboards? What does it stand for?
Most common form factor for motherboards is ATX
Advanced Technology Extended
What is an ITX board?
An ITX board is Information Technology Extended
How does an ITX board differ from an ATX board?
An ITX board is smaller than an ATX board
What’s the smallest unit of data storage?
bit
What can a single byte hold?
a number, character, or symbol
What data size comes after byte?
KB Kilobyte
How do HDD’s read and write information?
Hard drives use a spinning platter and a mechanical arm to read and write data
(RPM = HDD speed)
What interface do hard drives commonly use to connect to a computer?
SATA
Serial ATA
Simply, describe the most popular ATA drive
It connects the hard drive to the computer using a single cable for data transfers
What does hot swappable mean?
It means you can connect a (SATA) hard drive without turning off your computer
What interface was created to handle the speed of SSDs that SATA couldn’t?
NVMe
How does a NVMe interface connect to a computer?
It connects the hard drive to the computer by installing it as an expansion slot
When referring to hardware, what is an interface?
- device
- port
- connection
that interacts with the computer or other hardware device
(SATA, USB, etc)
What’s another way to say bit?
binary digit
What’s the process a binary nomenclature for data sizes are made?
metric prefix + binary + byte
What is amps?
Amps is short for amperage
it’s the amount of electrical current being pulled out of an outlet
What is wattage?
wattage is the total amount of volts and amps your device needs
What’s the difference between voltage and amperage?
voltage is the pushing of electricity and gives you everything at once
amperage only pulls what it needs
What is an alternating current?
Changes directions constantly
What does VAC stand for?
Volts of alternating current
What’s the common VAC for wall sockets in NA?
110-127 VAC
What’s a good starting point when determining the minimum amount of wattage needed for a computer?
Looking at the motherboard, its form factor, the (power of) components and peripherals installed on it, and applications that will be run
What controls the amount of power that is delivered to a computer’s internal components? Where is it located?
Voltage regulators embedded in the motherboard
Describe the connection used to connect the PSU to the motherboard. What does it look like?
The connection used to connect the PSU to an ATX motherboard is a molex connector with 24 pins with color coded wires
3 things to consider when selecting a PSU for a computer?
- Total wattage needed
- Compatible with the motherboard
- Wall socket input voltage
What are 5 steps to take to diagnose a failing PSU?
- Check all cables are connected
- Check that the PSU external power switch on unit wasn’t messed with
- Make sure fan is working (overheating can cause PSU failure)
- Observe computer failures - System startup failures or lockups, memory errors, HDD file system corruption or USB power issues
- PSU making grinding noises
What are some signs that a PSU might be starting to fail?
- Computer boots up and shuts down slowly
- Hear rapid, short beeps when trying to boot
- Computer shuts off randomly, restarts randomly
What’s a common clue (sound-wise) that indicates a failing PSU?
a high-pitched, whining or grinding noise coming from the area where the PSU is housed
What happens if you don’t replace a failing PSU in time?
It can cause voltage problems and damage your other components (like motherboard, hard drive, etc)
