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Understanding Core Hardware Components Flashcards

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1
Q

You can see your desktop but your mouse won’t move — which core function isn’t working?

A

Input
Definition: Sending data into a computer using devices like keyboards, mice, or scanners.
Boot Story: Input devices become active after the OS loads so you can control the system.

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2
Q

You type but nothing appears on the monitor — which core function is failing?

A

Output — Definition: Getting information out of a computer via monitors, printers, or speakers. Boot Story: Output devices display or play results after the CPU processes data.

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3
Q

Your system powers on but freezes when loading apps — which core function is impacted?

A

Processing — Definition: The computer “thinking” — CPU/GPU handle and execute instructions. Boot Story: After POST, the CPU begins processing OS instructions.

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4
Q

Your computer says “No boot device found” — which core function is missing?

A

Storage — Definition: Saving data permanently to HDDs, SSDs, or cloud storage. Boot Story: The OS is loaded from storage into RAM during startup.

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5
Q

You spill water on your keyboard and it stops working — which category is damaged?

A

Hardware — Definition: The physical components of a computer (motherboard, PSU, RAM). Boot Story: Hardware must be powered and connected before the system can start.

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6
Q

You can’t open Microsoft Word because it’s not installed — which category is missing?

A

Software — Definition: Programs and instructions that tell hardware what to do (apps, OS). Boot Story: Software is loaded from storage into RAM after boot.

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7
Q

You’re upgrading to a larger graphics card but it won’t fit — what part may need replacing?

A

Computer Case — Definition: The enclosure that houses and protects all computer components. Boot Story: Holds the motherboard, PSU, drives, and cooling; allows airflow and cable management.

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8
Q

Your motherboard’s mounting holes don’t line up with your case — what’s the likely mismatch?

A

Form Factor — Definition: The standardized size, shape, and layout of computer components. Boot Story: Ensures all parts (case, motherboard, PSU) physically and electrically fit together.

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9
Q

You want to add more RAM, but there are no available slots — which component limits you?

A

Motherboard — Definition: The main circuit board connecting all hardware components. Boot Story: Receives power from PSU, allows CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage to communicate.

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10
Q

You want multiple PCIe cards — which motherboard form factor is best?

A

ATX — Definition: Standard full-size desktop motherboard (12” x 9.6”). Boot Story: Common in mid/full-tower cases, lots of expansion slots.

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11
Q

You want dual CPUs — which motherboard form factor supports it?

A

EATX — Definition: Extended ATX, larger than ATX for extra slots and features. Boot Story: Fits in full-tower cases; often used in high-end systems.

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12
Q

You have limited desk space and fewer expansion needs — which motherboard form factor is best?

A

Micro ATX — Definition: Smaller than ATX (9.6” x 9.6”), fewer expansion slots. Boot Story: Fits smaller cases; still compatible with many ATX cases.

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13
Q

You need an in-between size motherboard but don’t want ITX — which form factor is this?

A

Mini ATX — Definition: Rare, smaller than Micro ATX. Boot Story: Designed for compact systems.

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14
Q

You’re building a home theater PC — which motherboard form factor is best?

A

ITX — Definition: Compact form factor for small systems with minimal expansion. Boot Story: Fits small cases with limited slots.

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15
Q

You need a gaming PC that fits in a backpack — which motherboard form factor is best?

A

Mini ITX — Definition: 6.7” x 6.7”, popular for small builds. Boot Story: Fits in very compact cases, usually one PCIe slot.

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16
Q

You’re building a small kiosk terminal — which motherboard form factor should you use?

A

Nano ITX — Definition: 4.7” x 4.7”, low-power devices. Boot Story: Used in embedded systems.

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17
Q

You’re designing a tiny industrial control unit — which motherboard form factor should you use?

A

Pico ITX — Definition: 3.9” x 2.8”, extremely small. Boot Story: Used in specialized electronics.

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18
Q

You need a motherboard for a handheld medical device — which form factor should you use?

A

Mobile ITX — Definition: 3” x 1.8”, the smallest x86 motherboard form factor. Boot Story: Used in portable and mobile computing.

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19
Q

Your PC won’t turn on at all. Which component may have failed?

A

PSU — Definition: Power Supply Unit; converts AC from the wall into DC for the computer’s components. Boot Story: First component to wake up when you press power; sends electricity to motherboard, CPU, storage, and peripherals.

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20
Q

What type of electrical current comes from your home outlets?

A

AC — Definition: Alternating Current; electrical current from wall outlets where direction of flow alternates. Boot Story: Delivered from outlet to PSU before being converted.

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21
Q

Your PSU converts AC from the wall to what type of current for your PC parts?

A

DC — Definition: Direct Current; electrical current that flows in one direction, used inside computers. Boot Story: PSU converts AC to DC before sending it to components.

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22
Q

You buy a PSU that doesn’t fit in your case — what specification did you forget to check?

A

Power Supply Form Factor — Definition: The physical size and mounting standard of the PSU. Boot Story: Ensures PSU fits and connects properly inside the case.

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23
Q

Your PC requires 420W minimum — which PSU wattage should you buy?

A

Wattage — Definition: Measurement of the total power a PSU can deliver to the system. Boot Story: Determines if PSU can handle all components without overloading.

Always choose above the requirement (e.g., 500W, 525W).

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24
Q

Your computer powers on but can’t run any programs — which component may be failing?

A

CPU — Definition: Central Processing Unit; the “brain” of the computer that executes instructions and processes data. Boot Story: Wakes up right after PSU powers the system; runs POST and starts loading the OS.

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25
If your processor is damaged, can your PC still function normally?
Processor — Definition: Another word for CPU; essential for all processing tasks. Boot Story: Same role as CPU; without it, the PC can’t operate.
26
You buy an Intel CPU — what must match on the motherboard?
Intel — Definition: Major CPU manufacturer; produces x86 and x64 processors. Boot Story: Determines architecture, performance, and motherboard compatibility.
27
You buy an AMD CPU — can it fit into an Intel motherboard socket?
AMD — Definition: Major competitor to Intel; produces x86 and x64 processors. Boot Story: Same role as Intel CPUs, but uses different sockets/chipsets.
28
Your CPU doesn’t fit in the socket — what specification didn’t you check?
CPU Form Factor — Definition: The physical size/shape of the CPU and how it connects to the socket. Boot Story: Determines compatibility with the motherboard.
29
Can you run a 64-bit OS on a 32-bit CPU?
32-bit / 64-bit — Definition: Refers to CPU’s register width — how much data it can handle at once. Boot Story: Determines what OS and applications you can run.
30
If your CPU is x64, can it run x86 programs?
x86 / x64 — Definition: Processor instruction set architectures — x86 = 32-bit, x64 = 64-bit. Boot Story: Determines software compatibility.
31
You want extra gaming performance — what technique might you use?
Overclocking — Definition: Running CPU faster than its rated speed. Boot Story: Happens after boot; improves performance but increases heat.
32
Your CPU slows down during a game — what’s happening?
Throttling — Definition: CPU slowing itself down to prevent overheating. Boot Story: Can occur anytime under heavy load.
33
You install a fan — is this active or passive cooling?
Active Cooling Methods — Definition: Cooling that uses powered components (fans, liquid cooling). Boot Story: Runs continuously to prevent overheating.
34
Which cooling method is a heat sink?
Passive Cooling Methods — Definition: Cooling without moving parts (heat sinks, thermal pads). Boot Story: Works silently, often paired with active cooling.
35
What do you call the fan on a graphics card?
Component Cooling — Definition: Keeping individual parts (CPU, GPU, RAM) within safe temperatures. Boot Story: Extends hardware lifespan and prevents throttling.
36
Which socket type has two rows of pins?
DIP (Dual Inline Package) — Definition: Older chip packaging with two parallel rows of pins. Boot Story: Rare in modern PCs; still seen in microcontrollers.
37
Which socket type is most Intel CPUs?
LGA (Land Grid Array) — Definition: CPU socket type with pins on the motherboard, flat contacts on CPU. Boot Story: Common for Intel desktop CPUs.
38
Which socket type do most AMD CPUs use?
PGA (Pin Grid Array) — Definition: CPU socket type with pins on the CPU, holes on the motherboard socket. Boot Story: Common for AMD CPUs.
39
Which architecture does most mobile hardware use?
ARM — Definition: CPU architecture used in mobile devices and low-power systems. Boot Story: Powers smartphones, tablets, and some small PCs.
40
Your PC overheats in a hot room — adding which component could help?
Case Fan — Definition: Moves air through the case to maintain safe temperatures. Boot Story: Runs continuously after power-on.
41
What do you attach to a CPU to help absorb heat?
Heat Sink — Definition: Metal block that draws heat away from a chip. Boot Story: Passive cooling for CPUs, GPUs, and chipsets.
42
Your CPU overheats after installing a new cooler — what might be missing?
Thermal Paste — Definition: Conductive material applied between CPU and heat sink to improve heat transfer. Boot Story: Applied during CPU installation.
43
You want better gaming visuals — which component should you upgrade?
GPU — Definition: Graphics Processing Unit; specialized processor for rendering images, video, and graphics. Boot Story: Activates after OS loads drivers; handles display output.
44
You open many programs at once and your PC slows — which upgrade would help?
RAM — Definition: Random Access Memory; volatile memory that temporarily stores data the CPU is actively using. Boot Story: OS and apps are loaded from storage into RAM after boot.
45
Which type of memory is wiped on shutdown — volatile or non-volatile?
Volatile Memory — Definition: Memory that loses its contents when power is turned off (e.g., RAM). Boot Story: RAM is cleared every time the PC shuts down.
46
Is an SSD volatile or non-volatile?
Non-Volatile Memory — Definition: Memory that keeps its contents without power (e.g., ROM, SSD). Boot Story: Stores firmware and permanent data.
47
Which memory type needs constant refreshing — DRAM or SRAM?
DRAM — Definition: Dynamic RAM; stores bits in capacitors and must be refreshed often. Boot Story: Used as system RAM in most computers.
48
Which RAM is faster but more expensive — DRAM or SRAM?
SRAM — Definition: Static RAM; faster, more expensive, and doesn’t need constant refreshing. Boot Story: Located in CPU cache for quick access.
49
Which came first — SDRAM or DDR SDRAM?
SDRAM — Definition: Synchronous DRAM; synchronizes with CPU clock speed. Boot Story: Predecessor to DDR RAM.
50
Which RAM type is faster — SDRAM or DDR SDRAM?
DDR SDRAM — Definition: Double Data Rate SDRAM; transfers data twice per clock cycle. Boot Story: Replaced SDRAM, improved speed.
51
Will DDR2 fit in a DDR3 slot?
DDR2 SDRAM — Definition: Second generation DDR; faster than DDR, lower voltage. Boot Story: Used in older systems; not physically compatible with DDR3.
52
Which uses 240-pin DIMM — DDR3 or DDR4?
DDR3 SDRAM — Definition: Third generation DDR; uses 240-pin DIMM (desktop). Boot Story: Common in systems built ~2007–2015.
53
Which has 288 pins — DDR3 or DDR4 DIMM?
DDR4 SDRAM — Definition: Fourth generation DDR; uses 288-pin DIMM (desktop). Boot Story: Standard in most modern systems.
54
Which type of RAM module do desktops use — DIMM or SO-DIMM?
DIMM — Definition: Dual Inline Memory Module; full-size RAM stick for desktops. Boot Story: Fits into desktop motherboard RAM slots.
55
Which RAM module would you buy for a laptop — DIMM or SO-DIMM?
SO-DIMM — Definition: Small Outline DIMM; smaller RAM module for laptops and small form factor PCs. Boot Story: Fits into laptop motherboard RAM slots.
56
You want to add Wi-Fi to a desktop without built-in wireless. What would you install?
Adapters / Expansion Cards — Definition: Removable circuit boards that add features (e.g., graphics card, network card, sound card). Boot Story: Installed in motherboard expansion slots (e.g., PCIe) to enhance capabilities.
57
Which card lets you plug an Ethernet cable into your PC?
NIC — Definition: Network Interface Card; hardware that connects a computer to a wired network (Ethernet). Boot Story: Active after OS loads network drivers.
58
Your PC has no Ethernet port but connects to Wi-Fi — what is it using?
WNIC — Definition: Wireless Network Interface Card; network card that connects to Wi-Fi networks. Boot Story: Detects and connects to wireless networks after OS boots.
59
You can connect to your home network without plugging in a cable. Which NIC type is this?
Wireless WNIC — Definition: Same as WNIC; specifies wireless capability. Boot Story: Uses radio signals instead of cables for networking.
60
Which slot does a modern graphics card use?
PCIe — Definition: Peripheral Component Interconnect Express; high-speed slot on the motherboard for GPUs, SSDs, NICs, and other cards. Boot Story: Used for high-performance add-ons after POST.
61
Your school network is an example of what type of network?
LAN — Definition: Local Area Network; network covering a small area (home, office, campus). Boot Story: Allows file sharing, printing, and internet access locally.
62
Your office has a central box for all shared files — what is it?
NAS — Definition: Network Attached Storage; storage device connected to a network for shared access. Boot Story: Acts as a file server without needing a full PC.
63
Which type of server lets multiple users access the same documents?
File Server — Definition: A computer that stores and manages files for network users. Boot Story: Often uses LAN/NAS setup to serve files to other systems.
64
Google Drive is an example of what?
Cloud Storage — Definition: Files stored online and accessed over the internet. Boot Story: Requires internet connection and authentication.
65
Your PC says “No boot device found.” Which component may be missing or disconnected?
Storage Drives — Definition: Devices that store data permanently (HDDs, SSDs).
66
Which type of server lets multiple users access the same documents?
File Server — Definition: A computer that stores and manages files for network users. ## Footnote Often uses LAN/NAS setup to serve files to other systems.
67
Google Drive is an example of what?
Cloud Storage — Definition: Files stored online and accessed over the internet. ## Footnote Requires internet connection and authentication.
68
Your PC says “No boot device found.” Which component may be missing or disconnected?
Storage Drives — Definition: Devices that store data permanently (HDD, SSD, optical drives). ## Footnote The OS is stored here and loaded into RAM during startup.
69
You need 4TB of cheap storage — HDD or SSD?
HDD — Definition: Hard Disk Drive; magnetic storage with spinning platters, slower but cheaper per GB. ## Footnote OS can be installed here but boots slower than SSD.
70
Which drive type will make your system start up fastest?
SSD — Definition: Solid State Drive; flash memory storage that’s faster and more durable than HDD. ## Footnote Allows faster boot and app load times.
71
Which HDD will be faster — 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM?
RPM — Definition: Revolutions Per Minute; speed at which HDD platters spin. ## Footnote Higher RPM = faster data read/write.
72
Which type of drive plays a DVD?
Optical Drives — Definition: Read/write CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. ## Footnote Can boot OS from installation discs if set in Boot Order.
73
Which is bigger — 1 TB or 500 GB?
Data Units — Definition: 8 bits = 1 byte → KB → MB → GB → TB → PB → EB. ## Footnote Used to measure RAM, storage capacity, and file sizes.
74
Your PC beeps on startup and stops — what stage is it in?
POST — Definition: Power-On Self-Test; system check run by BIOS/UEFI before booting OS. ## Footnote Happens immediately after power-on.
75
Which firmware type is being phased out in favor of UEFI?
BIOS — Definition: Basic Input/Output System; older firmware that initializes hardware and starts boot process. ## Footnote Works with CMOS to store settings.
76
Which firmware supports drives over 2 TB — BIOS or UEFI?
UEFI — Definition: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface; modern firmware replacing BIOS with faster boot and larger drive support. ## Footnote Runs POST, loads OS.
77
Your clock resets every time you reboot — which component might need replacing?
CMOS — Definition: Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor; memory chip that stores BIOS/UEFI settings like date, time, boot order. ## Footnote Retains settings with battery power.
78
You want to boot from USB instead of your HDD. What do you change?
Boot Order — Definition: The sequence of devices the system checks for an OS. ## Footnote Controlled in BIOS/UEFI settings.
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