CompTIA A+: Working with Motherboards, CPUs, & Add-On Cards

Question 1

differentiate between the ATX, MATX, ITX and MITX motherboard form factors

Answer 1

ATX: advanced tech extended: 1995 by Intel Corp.
12” x 9.6” motherboard size
Full-Length expansion cards

MATX: Micro atx
works in standard ATX cases
9.6" x 9.6" in size
smaller design requires some trade offs in output.
lower memory / expansion slots

ITX : info technology extended:  developed by VIA corp.
Mini - ITX 6.7" sq
Nano - ITX 4.7" sq
Pico 3.9x2.8"
Mobile 2.4" sq

These smaller ones are function specific

Question 2

differentiate between PCI, PCIe, riser card, socket, SATA, IDE, front panel, and internal USB connectors

Answer 2

PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect: install peripherals 32-Bit slots.

PCI-e: replace both AGP and PCI.
4 versions: 1.x / 2.x / 3.0 / 4.0.

Riser: allow different configuration to install cards.

Socket: square arrangement of columns/rows of holes and pins: Zero-insertion force socket:

IDE / SATA: rare to see IDE. Sata is

Question 3

list BIOS/UEFI settings such as boot options, firmware, and interface configurations

Answer 3

Basic Input / Output System.
Refers to physical chip
Allows the operating system to interact with hardware.

configuration interfaces: upon boot up _ gives options / configs etc.

UEFI:
unified extensible firemare interface: new BIOS system:
has access to hardware so it can update.

Question 4

What is the P.O.S.T

Answer 4

Power-on Self-Test:

a diagnostic testing sequence that is run by the BIOS to ensure that your hardware is working correctly

Question 5

How do you update the BIOS chip?

Answer 5

Firmware Updates:

you have to flash the chip in order to update it.

Question 6

Why are UEFI updates safer?

Answer 6

because they access the network card and update the system over the internet.

Vs. BIOS update which is computer specific and requires booting from a flash drive.

Question 7

describe the importance of BIOS security, including passwords and drive encryption

Answer 7

Password protect the BIOS to prevent unauthorized users from making changes.

Set supervisor password / User Password

Question 8

What is TPM in laptops?

Answer 8

Trusted Platform Module
adds crypotgraphic functions that can be used to enter and decrypt data.

Windows PC: utilised bitlocker

Question 9

What is LoJack?

Answer 9

anti0theft security package that is embedded into BIOS

allows electronic tracking

Question 10

What is SecureBoot

Answer 10

ensures PC’s boot using a trusted firmware.

enabled or disabled through the BIOS

Question 11

CMOS Batteries:

Complementary Metal-Oxide semiconductor

Answer 11

built directly into the motherboard.
allows settings to be saved

-non rechargable lithium-
`

Question 12

How do you replace the CMOS Battery?

Answer 12

1. Remove old battery
2. replace with new
3. Enter CMOS values -

Question 13

differentiate between single core and multicore CPUs

Answer 13

Single Core: microprocessor with a single chip
only run a single thread at any one time
Refers to multitasking

Dual-Core Processors:
Two processing cores that can operate on multiple tasks at the same time.

Multi-Core: run multiple processors depending on the size of the core..eg QUAD core

Question 14

What is Hyper-Threading

Answer 14

Also called SMT: Simultaneous multithreading

Physical CPU cores are split into virtual cores

virtual cores appear to the operating system as separate logical processing cores

each physical core is processing two threads. 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads.

Question 15

Multi Processor vs Hyper Threading

Answer 15

Multi: one core can process at the exact same time as another

Hyper: logical coupling of two threads being processed @ same time…
NOT AS GOOD AS MULTI

Combination of both is optimal

Question 16

Advantages of Hyper Threading

Answer 16

Improved system performance

Throughput

Reaction time / response time

Increased thread level parallelism

Question 17

what is Overclockign

Answer 17

CPU configured to run at higher speeds then advertised

Question 18

What is Integrated GPU

Answer 18

embedded on the same die as the processor

ideal for high end gaming or graphic design systems

Question 19

list different cooling mechanisms

Answer 19

Heat Sync: incorporates either a fan to reduce heat
modern PC’s use them

Water-Based Microprocessor Coolers
water is circulated through the system

Thermal Paste: high heat conducted paste that produces better heat conduction between components

Question 20

Active and Passive Heat Syncs

Answer 20

Active : utilizes the computers power suppply and a fan
Reffered to as HS + Fan

Passive; no mechanical components : 100% reliable
dissipates heat through convection (airflow)
requires steady airflow

Question 21

Components of a Water-Based Microprocessor COoler

Answer 21

water reservoir tank
water pump
condesner coil radiator
CPU Cooling BLOCK

Question 22

Components of a Refrigerated Cooling System

Answer 22

evaporator
condenser
compressor
flow control / expansion device
insulated tubing

Question 23

Expansion Cards - Video Cards

Answer 23

No good for gaming
connects to the MB using expansion slots such as

PCIexpress: most common
AGP: accelerated Graphics Port
PCI Card: approx 3” long

Question 24

what does a Sound Card do?

Answer 24

Used to produce sound on a comp

connects using PCIe or PCI cards

Question 25

what is a Network Interface Card (NIC)

Answer 25

responsible for connecting a PC to the network

each NIC has a unique hardware address burned into the card - hardware address is also referred to as the mac address
(MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL)

Question 26

what is a UBS expansion Card

Answer 26

Adds USB interfaces to the system

Question 27

eSATA card is for what?

Answer 27

enables interface for plugging in eSATA drives

connect SATA internal or external devices to a host computer

e.g SSD Drive

External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) is an extension to the Serial ATA standard that enables SATA drives to be attached externally. … While eSATA can provide faster transfer rates than USB or FireWire, it requires its own power connector.