What does a PSU do?
Converts AC power to DC power for PC components.
What two solid components are typically attached to the CPU to keep it cool?
A heat sink and CPU fan.
What’s the key difference between HDDs and SSDs?
(Helps you find all ambushes, all heal spaces, or all NPCs!)
SSDs have no moving parts and offer faster performance.
What does RAM do in a computer?
Temporarily stores data for fast access by the CPU.
What does the CPU do with instructions? (Four steps)
Fetches, decodes, executes, and writes back results.
What is the main benefit of a modular power supply?
(Ambush!)
It reduces cable clutter, improving airflow and cooling.
What does thermal paste do?
(Ambush!)
It fills air gaps to improve heat transfer from the CPU to the heat sink.
What is RAID 1 also known as? (What raid technique does it employ)
(Ambush!)
Mirroring, where data is duplicated across two drives.
What is dual-channel memory?
(Loot roll!)
A configuration using two memory modules to double data bandwidth.
What is the difference between RISC and CISC architectures?
(Ambush!)
RISC uses simpler instructions; CISC uses more complex ones.
What does the 80 PLUS certification indicate?
(Heal or loot roll!)
A PSU's energy efficiency under various loads.
What’s the purpose of a case fan?
(Heal or loot roll!)
To improve airflow and expel heat from inside the case.
What type of storage is used in SSDs, in place of the magnetic write that HDDs would use?
(Merchant will improve the item shop or trade two items for any one item!)
Flash memory.
How do you match memory modules to a motherboard?
(Heal or loot roll!)
By matching the DDR type and checking slot compatibility.
What is Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT, generic) or hyperthreading (intel)?
(Heal or loot roll!)
A CPU feature that allows one core to handle multiple threads.
Why is PSU wattage rating important?
It must match the system’s power needs to avoid instability or damage.
What is one advantage of liquid cooling over air cooling?
It offers more efficient and quieter cooling.
What is the advantage of using RAID 5 over RAID 1?
It provides both fault tolerance and better storage efficiency.
What is ECC RAM used for?
Detecting and correcting memory errors in critical systems.
What’s the key difference between LGA and PGA sockets?
(Loot roll!)
LGA has pins on the socket; PGA has pins on the CPU.
What is the function of a redundant power supply?
It provides backup power to prevent system downtime in case of PSU failure.
What maintenance does an open-loop liquid cooling system require?
Periodic draining, cleaning, and refilling.
Portomancer! Provides a 100 point shield! How does RAID 10 combine the benefits of RAID 0 and RAID 1?
By striping data across mirrored pairs for speed and redundancy.
What happens if you mix memory speeds?
The system runs at the speed of the slowest module.
Why are server CPUs like Intel Xeon or AMD EPYC used in data centers?
For features like ECC support, high core counts, and reliability.