Module 3: Supporting Processors and Upgrading Memory

Question 1

After installing the processor and reassembling the computer, the system begins the boot process and suddenly turns off before completing the boot. What should you do?

Answer 1

Turn everything off, unplug the power cord, press the power button to drain the power, open the case, and verify that the cooler is securely seated and connected.

If the cooler is not installed correctly, the system will boot but shut down before the process is complete as the processor is overheating.

Question 2

Which type of memory can support quad, triple, and dual channels?

Answer 2

DDR3

DDR3 DIMMs can use quad, triple, or dual channels.

Question 3

A processor housing that contains more than one processor is referred to as what term?

Answer 3

Multicore processor

Multicore processors contain more than one processor in the processor housing.

Question 4

Modern desktop motherboards and laptop motherboards all utilize what two types of DRAM respectively?

Answer 4

DIMM
SO-DIMM

DIMM is the type of DRAM used in modern motherboards.

DIMM is the type of DRAM used in modern motherboards.

Question 5

What type of processor memory is located on the processor chip (processor die)?

Answer 5

Level 1 cache

Level 1 cache, or L1 cache, is the memory on the processor chip (called a die).

Question 6

What two different DIMM technologies below can be used in a quad channel configuration?

Answer 6

DDR3
DDR4

DDR3 has both triple and quad-channel configuration capabilities.

DDR4 has both dual and quad-channel configuration capabilities.

Question 7

What is the most likely result of a correctly installed processor, but an incorrectly installed cooler?

Answer 7

Boot process begins, but the system suddenly turns off after a short period

If the system comes up and begins the boot process but suddenly turns off, most likely the processor is overheating because the cooler is not installed correctly.

Question 8

You are reviewing new RAM to purchase for a gaming computer and find three different RAM modules that are the same except for their CAS Latency. Option A lists the CL as 18 ns, Option B lists the CL as 20 ns, and Option C lists the CL as 15 ns.

Which option will work best for a gaming computer?

Answer 8

Option C

The lower the CL, the faster the data can be retrieved from the RAM. CL is important on a gaming computer. Any type of lag (time you wait for a response) could cause you to lose a game.

Question 9

What Intel processor technology interconnects the processor, chipset, and wireless network adapter as a unit, improving laptop performance?

Answer 9

Centrino

Intel’s Centrino technology interconnects the processor, chipset, and wireless network adapter as a unit, improving laptop performance.

Question 10

Today’s DIMMs use what size data path?

Answer 10

64-bit

All DIMMS have a 64-bit data path

Question 11

Who are the two major manufacturers of processors?

Answer 11

AMD
Intel

AMD is one of the major manufacturers of processors.

Intel is one of the major manufacturers of processors.

Question 12

What type of RAM is typically installed onto a motherboard and loses data rapidly, requiring it to be refreshed often?

Answer 12

DRAM

DRAM, or dynamic RAM, is the most common type of RAM and loses its data rapidly, so the memory controller must refresh it several thousand times a second.

Question 13

DIMMs used in servers can provide additional reliability by checking for and correcting errors if they use what specific technology?

Answer 13

ECC

ECC, or error-correcting code, is an error checking technology used in DIMMs for servers to ensure extreme reliability by detecting and correcting errors.

Question 14

Jenny is working on a laptop computer and notices that the computer is not running very fast. She looks and realizes that the laptop supports 8GB of RAM and that the computer is running only 4GB of RAM. Jenny would like to add four more gigabits of RAM. She opens the computer and finds that there is an open slot for RAM. She checks the other module and determines that the module has 204 pins.

What module should Jenny order?

Answer 14

SO-DIMM DDR3

SO-DIMM DDR3 has 204 pins. The amount of data transferred using DDR 3 per second can range from 8.5GB to 14.9GB, depending on the speed of the FSB (front-side bus).

Question 15

What can a DIMM use to hold data and amplify a signal just before the data is written to the module?

Answer 15

Registers

Registers and buffers hold data and amplify a signal just before the data is written to the module.

Question 16

You are researching RAM for a computer you are building for a friend who will be using the system as a home office server for her small business. She wants the added protection so the computer will not crash due to a memory error.

What type of RAM should you consider purchasing?

Answer 16

ECC

ECC compares bits written to the module to what is later read from the module and detects and corrects errors in a single bit but only detects errors within 2 bits.

Question 17

Hybrid processors that can process 32 bits or 64 bits are known by what term?

Answer 17

x86-64

x86-64 processors are hybrid processors capable of processing 32 bits and 64 bits.

Question 18

Match the processor feature to the correct definition.

Answer 18

Multicore Processing
Multiple processors installed in the same processor housing

Multithreading
Handle and switch between multiple instruction sets

Multiprocessing
Two processing units installed within a single processor

Dual Processors
Two processor sockets on the motherboard

Question 19

When selecting a processor to match system needs, what features should you NOT consider?

Answer 19

Finding the latest and most powerful processor available no matter the cost

Sometimes you will need to balance power with cost. The latest and most powerful processors will generally cost more

Question 20

Gina is upgrading your computer with a new processor. She installs the processor into your motherboard and adds the cooling system. She powers up the computer, and it begins to boot but then shuts down.

What could be the cause of this problem?

Answer 20

Thermal paste was not used.

Correct. Gina forgot to add thermal paste, and your computer is overheating. Thermal paste is installed to create a connection between the processor and the heat sink. If thermal paste is not applied, the CPU will overheat, and the computer will shut down.