Chapter 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory (CompTIA A+ 220-1101)

A comprehensive set of practice Q&A flashcards covering key topics from Chapter 1: motherboards, processors, memory, and related features for the CompTIA A+ exam.

What RAM types and related concepts are mentioned in Chapter 1 (RAM types, configurations, and features)?

DDR3, DDR4, DDR5; ECC RAM; SODIMM; Virtual RAM.

What does SODIMM stand for?

Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module.

What memory channel configurations are listed in the notes?

Single, Dual, Triple, and Quad-channel.

What is ECC RAM and what does it do?

Error-Correcting Code RAM that detects and corrects memory errors.

Which motherboard form factors are introduced or discussed (with variations)?

ATX and ITX (including Mini-ITX, Nano-ITX, Pico-ITX, Mobile-ITX).

Name common motherboard connectors and storage interfaces mentioned.

PCI and PCIe expansion slots; SATA and eSATA; M.2; SAN; headers.

What do BIOS and UEFI stand for, and what is their purpose?

BIOS: Basic Input/Output System; UEFI: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface; they initialize hardware and manage boot options.

What does POST stand for and what is its role during boot?

Power-On Self Test; it checks hardware for errors during boot.

What are TPM and HSM?

TPM: Trusted Platform Module; HSM: Hardware Security Module; both provide hardware-based security features.

Which CPU architectures are described in the notes?

X64/x86 and ARM.

What CPU sockets are given as examples?

AM4 (AMD) and LGA 1200 (Intel).

What is the purpose of motherboard headers?

They connect front-panel buttons/LEDs, drive activity lights, audio jacks, and USB ports.

What is the ATX power connector used for?

The main motherboard power connector that supplies power to the motherboard.

What are non-volatile storage connectors listed in the notes?

IDE/PATA, SATA, and M.2.

What is CMOS and why is the CMOS battery important?

CMOS stores BIOS/UEFI settings; the battery preserves these settings when power is off.

What are expansion slots used for on the motherboard?

PCI, PCIe slots and riser cards for adding expansion cards.

What are Northbridge and Southbridge in motherboard architecture?

Chipset components handling CPU/memory/I/O; Northbridge handles high-speed operations, Southbridge handles I/O; modern systems often merge these functions.

What does memory slots and cache refer to on a motherboard?

Slots for RAM modules and CPU caches (L1, L2, L3) to speed memory access.

What do L1, L2, and L3 caches represent?

Levels of CPU caches: L1 is smallest and fastest, L2 is larger, L3 is largest and slower.

What do DIMM and SODIMM stand for, and where are they used?

DIMM: Dual Inline Memory Module ( desktops ); SODIMM: Small Outline DIMM (laptops).

What cooling options are listed for computing systems?

Air cooling and Liquid cooling; components include fans, heat sinks, and thermal paste/pads; applies to memory, CPU, chipset, etc.

What is M.2 used for on motherboards?

A storage interface for onboard non-volatile storage (SSD and other devices).

What is a typical use for a PCIe x16 slot?

High-bandwidth expansion, most commonly graphics cards.

What is a common boot device order example described under BIOS/UEFI boot options?

Boot device order includes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th boot devices such as USB, HDD, CD-ROM, or network devices.