Processors
This component is often called the "brain" of the computer because it executes instructions and performs calculations?
What is the CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Unlike SRAM, this type of memory relies on capacitors that must be continuously refreshed (for example, every 64 ms) to retain stored data.
What is DRAM (Dynamic RAM)?
Responsible for preserving real-time clock settings and BIOS configuration data when a system is powered off, its failure causes time/date drift.
What is the CMOS battery?
The primary specification to check when adding a high-end dedicated graphics card to ensure the PSU can handle the total system load.
What is total wattage?
After installing a new processor and heat sink, a computer boots briefly and then immediately turns off—a symptom caused by omitting this critical thermal bridge.
What is thermal paste (or thermal compound)?
This measurement describes the number of cycles a processor can perform per second and is commonly expressed in GHz.
What is clock speed?
Designed specifically for servers, this RAM technology provides enhanced stability by detecting and correcting single-bit memory errors.
What is ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory?
A visual inspection revealing a distended or leaking cylindrical component on the motherboard requires replacing this specific primary board.
What is the motherboard itself?
If a power supply lacks native SATA power leads, this common legacy adapter cable can be used to convert an older 4-pin peripheral line.
What is a Molex-to-SATA adapter?
Upon system boot, hearing a continuous sequence of short beeps with no display signal indicates a failure at this crucial hardware diagnostic stage.
What is POST (Power-On Self-Test)?
This processor architecture feature, which AMD calls HyperTransport, allows a single physical core to handle multiple threads from the OS simultaneously.
What is multithreading?
When choosing between RAM modules with identical clock speeds, selecting the module with the lowest value of this timing rating yields the best performance.
What is CL (CAS Latency)?
This standard memory data path width is present on modern desktop and server DIMMs, even when installed in systems utilizing 72-bit ECC modules.
What is 64-bit?
These dedicated 6-pin and 8-pin power connectors are specifically required to deliver supplementary power to high-performance video cards.
What are PCIe power connectors?
When troubleshooting an unbootable computer containing critical files, this is the safest method to protect the client's data before testing invasive repairs.
What is connecting the drive to another computer and backing up the data?
A processor housing that contains more than one processor.
What is a multicore processor?
This compact 204-pin memory form factor is standard for DDR3 installation in modern laptop motherboards.
What is SO-DIMM?
To run a specialized workload handling exactly 16 concurrent threads without multithreading, a system board needs either two 8-core CPUs or this CPU/socket combination.
What are four quad-core processors (or two quad-core processors with hyperthreading)?
If a power supply rail drops from +12V down to +7V, these two system devices are most vulnerable to operational failure.
What are dedicated graphics cards and SATA drives?
When testing a laptop AC adapter output with a multimeter set to DC voltage, the probes should be placed in these two locations on the barrel connector.
What are the red probe inside the center pin and the black probe on the outer collar?
Residing directly on the processor die, it is the fastest, ultra-low latency memory used by a CPU to store critical instructions and data.
What is L1 cache?
These two characteristics are shared by both SRAM and DRAM: they lose data when power is removed, and SRAM is chosen for CPU cache because it requires no refresh cycles.
What are volatility and speed (or no refresh needed for SRAM)?
When a system powers up with lights and fans running, but no POST beep, no video output, and no keyboard Num Lock light, these two major components (or the motherboard itself) are the primary suspects.
What are the CPU and RAM?
For a build containing a 125W CPU, 80W motherboard, 400W GPU, 75W across three HDDs, and 12W in RAM (692W total), this minimum wattage rating is recommended from a standard PSU line-up.
What is 900W (or the nearest rated tier above total draw)?
When a tech becomes stuck or frustrated while testing a troubleshooting theory, this recommended action helps refresh focus and prevent making hasty errors.
What is taking a break (or stepping away and coming back later)?