Section 4 - Cooling and Power

Question 1

What types of cooling exist

Answer 1

Passive, Active and Liquid

Question 2

What is thermal load

Answer 2

The heat from different components inside the computer

Question 3

What is passive cooling

Answer 3

Type of cooling that doesn’t rely on moving parts or power e.g. heat sink

Question 4

Define heat sink

Answer 4

Finned metal device that radiates heat away from the processor

Question 5

Define thermal paste

Answer 5

Compound that ensures heat transfer by eliminating air gaps

Question 6

Passive cooling benefits

Answer 6

Requires no power to operate and is silent when operating

Question 7

Define active cooling

Answer 7

Uses a fan to cool down the heat from the device

Question 8

Type/location of fans

Answer 8

Processor fan, Case fan, Back of PSU, External GPU Fan

Question 9

What is a recommendation when it comes to dust on fans

Answer 9

Remove excess dust from the fan every 3-6 months

Question 10

When dealing with passive cooling, what is involved

Answer 10

Heat sinks, thermal paste

Question 11

When dealing with active cooling, what is involved

Answer 11

Case Fans, Processor fans

Question 12

Liquid cooling system types

Answer 12

Closed Loop System and Open Loop System

Question 13

Closed Loop vs Open Loop System

Answer 13

Closed Loop cools only a single component whereas an Open Loop system cools different components (Much more popular)

Question 14

Why does liquid cooling systems work so well

Answer 14

Water and liquids are more effective coolants than air convection

Question 15

What type of system is Liquid Cooling associated with?

Answer 15

High performance system (Video editing/Gaming)

Question 16

What happens with alternating current (AC)

Answer 16

Positive and negatives are cycled between repeatedly

Question 17

PSU main purpose

Answer 17

Delivery direct current (DC) to all components inside the PC when receiving an alternating current (AC) power supply

Question 18

Explain Modular PSU

Answer 18

Allows to unhook the connectors and detach from the unit

Question 19

What does a Modular Power Supply Do

Answer 19

Frees up space inside of the computer

Question 20

What may be a good idea when running a server in terms of PSUs and motherboard

Answer 20

Using a motherboard that supports redundant PSUs, so in the case of 1 ceasing to function, then the backup is there

Question 21

What does the Main Board / Motherboard adapter on a PSU do

Answer 21

Provides power to the motherboard

Question 22

Which connector provides power to the motherboard

Answer 22

Main Board / Motherboard Adapter

Question 23

ATX Motherboard Standard Cable

Answer 23

20-Pin Connector

Question 24

ATX 12V Motherboard Power Cable

Answer 24

24-Pin Connector

Question 25

CPU Power / Processor Power PSU Cable

Answer 25

Has a 4,6 or 8-pin connector. Modern uses 8

Question 26

PCIe sometimes use what cable for additional power?

Answer 26

8 pin power cable

Question 27

What does the SATA Power Connector do

Answer 27

Used to power the SATA drives

Question 28

What is the Molex Connector used for

Answer 28

Used for IDE and PATA hard drivers, CDs and DVD Drives

Question 29

What does the Y Connector do

Answer 29

One connector that can support multiple devices

Question 30

What is max V + Type + Name of a US-based PSU. Include a fact about the V

Answer 30

120V AC (Low Line Power) - Most of the time the Voltage will be lower than advertised e.g. 110-115 unless you have good clean power

Question 31

What is max V + Type + Name of a EU/Asia based PSU.

Answer 31

230V AC (High Line Power)

Question 32

In terms of voltage on PSUs, what is a common function when travelling

Answer 32

Supporting multi-voltage outputs

Question 33

What is Voltage Sensing / Dual Voltage Power Supplies

Answer 33

Detects the outlet and converts it into the voltage of DC

Question 34

VDC (Volt Direct Current) Types

Answer 34

3.3, 5, 12

Question 35

What is a Rail

Answer 35

Wire that provides current at a particular voltage

Question 36

What is a 12 VDC Rail

Answer 36

Cable or wire that provides 12 VDC

Question 37

Which is the most common rail

Answer 37

12 VDC Rail

Question 38

What is Wattage Rating

Answer 38

Power Supply's output capacity or capability

Question 39

Amperage to Wattage

Answer 39

A (amps) x V (voltage) = W I(Current=Amperage) x V = W

Question 40

What incremental increase do PSUs go up in

Answer 40

50 or 100 Watts

Question 41

What is a recommendation when buying a PSU

Answer 41

Buy a bigger one than what is calculated

Question 42

What happens to the other 30% of a 70% efficient PSU

Answer 42

Converted to heat