Motherboards
What is the primary function of the chipset on a motherboard?
It is a collection of integrated circuits that manages the data flow between the CPU, memory, storage, and peripheral devices. It determines how many high-speed components (like GPUs or NVMe SSDs) the board can support and whether the system is capable of overclocking.
What is the difference between a CPU's core count and its clock speed?
Core Count: Refers to the number of independent processing units. More cores allow the computer to handle multiple tasks simultaneously (multitasking) or break down a complex task into smaller pieces.
Why are Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) still used today despite being slower than Solid State Drives (SSDs)?
It mostly comes down to cost per gigabyte and longevity in cold storage. HDDs use spinning magnetic platters to store data, making them ideal for high-capacity archiving (like 10TB+ of movies or backups) where speed isn't the priority. However, because they are mechanical, they are much more prone to physical failure if dropped or bumped compared to SSDs.
What is the difference between asynchronous and synchronous I/O?
Synchronous I/O: The system starts a data transfer and waits for it to finish before moving on to the next task (this can cause "freezing").
What does the dir command do?
It lists all the files and subdirectories located within the current folder you are browsing in the terminal.
What are the three most common motherboard form factors?
ATX (Standard), Micro-ATX (Smaller), and Mini-ITX (Compact). The form factor determines the physical size and how many expansion slots you have.
What is Hyper-Threading (Intel) or SMT (AMD)?
A technology that allows a single physical core to act as two logical cores, improving efficiency by allowing the CPU to work on two tasks at once.
What does RPM signify in an HDD?
Revolutions Per Minute. It’s the speed at which the internal platters spin. Common speeds are 5400 RPM (quieter/slower) and 7200 RPM (faster).
What is the difference between Serial and Parallel transmission?
Serial sends data one bit at a time over a single wire (like USB), whereas Parallel sends multiple bits simultaneously over multiple wires.
How do you move from one directory to another?
Using the cd (Change Directory) command. For example, cd Documents moves you into the Documents folder.
What is the purpose of the CMOS battery?
It provides power to the BIOS/UEFI chip so the motherboard can retain system settings (like the date, time, and boot order) even when the PC is unplugged.
What is the L3 Cache?
A small pool of ultra-fast memory built directly into the CPU. It stores frequently used data so the CPU doesn't have to wait to fetch it from the much slower RAM.
What is a Head Crash?
A physical failure where the read/write head touches the spinning platter, usually caused by a physical shock, leading to permanent data loss.
What does Plug and Play (PnP) mean?
A system that allows the OS to automatically detect and configure a new peripheral (like a mouse) without the user having to manually install drivers or restart.
What is the purpose of the ping command?
It sends a small packet of data to an IP address or URL to see if it responds and to measure the "latency" (how long the round trip takes).
What does VRM stand for, and why does it matter?
Voltage Regulator Module. It converts the high voltage from the power supply into the specific, lower voltage the CPU needs to run stably.
What is the difference between Integrated Graphics and a Discrete GPU?
Integrated graphics are built directly into the CPU chip. A discrete GPU is a separate video card with its own dedicated memory and cooling.
Why do HDDs need to be defragmented, while SSDs do not?
HDDs store data in physical segments. Over time, parts of a single file get scattered. Defragging reorders them so the head doesn't have to move as much. Doing this to an SSD just wears out its memory cells.
What is an Interrupt Request (IRQ)?
A signal sent by a hardware device to the CPU to momentarily "interrupt" its current task so it can process a specific input (like a keystroke).
What does the sfc /scannow command do?
System File Checker. It scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted files with a cached copy located in a compressed folder.
What is the difference between a PCIe x16 slot and a PCIe x1 slot?
The "x" number refers to the number of data lanes. x16 has 16 lanes for high-bandwidth devices like GPUs, while x1 is for low-bandwidth cards like sound cards or Wi-Fi adapters.
What does it mean if a CPU is throttling?
When a CPU gets too hot, it automatically lowers its clock speed to reduce heat production and prevent permanent damage.
What is the SATA interface?
The standard cable and connector used to connect HDDs (and 2.5-inch SSDs) to the motherboard.
What is the function of a Device Driver?
It is a piece of software that acts as a translator between the operating system and the specific hardware device.
How do you run the Command Prompt with Administrative Privileges?
You must right-click the Command Prompt icon and select "Run as administrator." This is required for commands that modify system-level settings (like sfc).