Cables / Connectors
What is the main power interface that connects a computer's power supply unit?
ATX
What does PSU stand for?
Power Supply Unit
What is an expansion slot?
An expansion slot is a connector on a computer's motherboard that allows users to add hardware components called expansion cards to increase functionality.
What does a Motherboard consist of?
System of Buses and components (resistors, capacitors, expansion slots, etc) that allows devices to connect and communicate with each other.
What does BIOS stand for
Basic I/O systems
What cable provides power internal peripherals like hard drives and case fans, providing both 5V and 12V power?
Molex
What is a power supply?
A power supply is an electrical component that converts power from a source (like a wall outlet) into the correct voltage, current, and format (AC/DC) needed to operate an electronic device
What slot is standard for connecting expansion cards like graphics, sound, and network cards to a computer's motherboard?
PCI
What's a bus?
a collection of conductors (wires or traces), that work together for a specific purpose.
What does USB stand for?
Universal Serial Bus
What cable uses standardized interface slot on a computer's motherboard designed to connect high-speed peripheral components like graphics cards, network adapters, and SSDs to the CPU?
PCIe
What are some signs of a bad PSU?
random shutdowns/restarts, failure to power on, Blue Screens of Death (BSODs), burning smells, weird noises (clicking, grinding, buzzing), and system instability, especially under load, often accompanied by visible issues like bulging capacitors or excessive heat/fan noise
What is DIMM slots function?
A DIMM is a type of memory module used to add RAM
What is a form factor?
Form factor refers to the “footprint” of the mother board, size and shape. Some form factors also
include standardized features. I.e. the ATX motherboard and the ATX power connector.
What does POST stand for?
Power-on-self-test
What cable uses polarized power connector for internal computer components, notably floppy drives?
Berg
What are some protection methods for PSU's?
Power Supply Units (PSUs) have built-in protections like OVP (Overvoltage), UVP (Undervoltage), OCP (Overcurrent), OPP (Overpower), SCP (Short-Circuit), and OTP (Over-Temperature)
What's the difference between PATA and SATA
PATA (Parallel ATA) is the older, slower interface with bulky 40-pin connectors and wide ribbon cables, while SATA (Serial ATA) is the modern standard, offering much faster speeds, smaller/thinner cables (7-pin), lower power use, and features like hot-swapping (connecting/disconnecting drives without shutting down the PC)
What is the difference between a North Bridge and South Bridge?
North bridge is the closet to the CPU, used to connect high speed devices such as RAM, PCI slots
South bridge is farther away from the CPU, used to connect slower devices such as printers, keyboards, mice. etc
What does RAM stand for?
Random Memory Access
What cable uses standard interface on computer motherboards and storage devices, like hard drives and solid-state drives, that uses serial communication to transfer data and power?
SATA
Wattage rating, form factor, and number of connectors
What is a serial ports function?
Serial communication is used for diagnostics and configuration of devices like routers and servers, controlling industrial and scientific equipment, and for basic low-speed data transfer where high speed is not required.
What is CMOS?
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a type of technology used in computer processors, memory chips, and other electronic components.
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor)