Copmtia A+ core 1 flash cards

pci express bus

PSU

Power Supply Unit

Form Factor

Design

What is a peripheral device?

A peripheral device is an input/output (I/O) device that connects to a computer.

What connects peripheral devices to a PC?

Peripheral cables connect devices to the PC via an I/O port.

What is a specific type of port used for connecting a monitor?

A graphics port.

Where are external ports typically located on a PC?

External ports are located at the rear or front of the PC through case cutouts.

Where can external ports be found in a computer?

External ports can be on the motherboard or an expansion card.

USB Type A (Form Factor)

Flat rectangular connector for host and some peripheral devices, inserted with the USB symbol facing up.

USB Type B (Form Factor)

Square connector with a beveled top for large devices like printers.

USB Type B Mini (Form Factor)

Smaller connector for smaller peripheral devices like early digital cameras, but now rarely used

USB Type B Micro (Form Factor)

Flatter connector for smaller devices like smartphones and tablets.

USB 1.0 (USB Standards)

speeds of 1.5 Mbps (Low Speed) and 12 Mbps (Full Speed), using Type-A and Type-B connectors.

USB 1.1 (USB Standards)

Enhanced USB 1.0 with the same speeds but improved compatibility and reliability.

USB 2.0 (USB Standards)

Increased speed to 480 Mbps (High Speed) and introduced Mini-A/B and Micro-A/B connectors.

USB 3.0 (USB Standards)

Introduced SuperSpeed at 5 Gbps and new connectors like Micro-B

USB 3.1 (USB Standards)

Brought SuperSpeed+ at 10 Gbps and the versatile Type-C connector

USB 3.2 (USB Standards)

Offered Gen 1 (5 Gbps), Gen 2 (10 Gbps), and Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) speeds, using Type-A, Type-B, and Type-C connectors.

USB4 (USB Standards)

Achieved speeds up to 40 Gbps, unified with Thunderbolt 3, exclusively using the Type-C connector, and supported advanced features like multiple data and display protocols.

In Plane Switching (IPS) LCD

A type of liquid crystal display technology where the liquid crystals are aligned parallel to the screen, allowing for consistent light transmission and color reproduction.

Twisted Nematic (TN) LCD

A type of liquid crystal display technology where the liquid crystals twist 90 degrees between the electrodes to control light passage and create images on the screen.

Vertical Alignment (VA) LCD

A type of liquid crystal display technology where the liquid crystals are aligned vertically to the glass substrates and tilt when voltage is applied to control light passage and create images.

Organic light emitting diode (OLED)

a type of display technology where each pixel emits its own light through organic compounds when an electric current is applied

Mini-LED display

type of display technology that uses thousands of tiny LEDs for backlighting, allowing for more precise control of brightness and contrast in the image.

Inverter (Display Component)

Converts DC power to AC for the Backlight, Cruical in Older LCDs. Modern Displays with LED backlighting Typicaly do not Require an inverter

Touch Screens and Digitizers (Display Component)

Integral for interactive displays, allowing direct interaction through touch or stylus. This is common in smartphones, tablets, and some laptops.

pixel density

Higher density results in sharper images.

Refresh Rates

Higher rates (measured in Hz) provide smoother motion, which is important for gaming and video playback.

Screen Resolution

Defines clarity and detail of the display

What does 'Color Gamut' refer to?

The range of colors a display can produce based on the RGB color model.

What is the benefit of a wider color gamut?

It allows for more vibrant and accurate color reproduction.

What does HDMI stand for?

High-Definition Multimedia Interface

What does HDMI transmit?

Both high-definition video and audio signals through a single cable.

What are common uses for HDMI?

Connecting consumer electronics such as televisions, monitors, and gaming consoles.

What are the benefits of using HDMI?

It simplifies connections with a single-cable solution and has broad compatibility with a wide range of devices.

What are the latest features of HDMI versions?

Higher resolutions, increased refresh rates, and advanced features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) for enhanced color and contrast.

What is DisplayPort?

A digital display interface for connecting a video source to a display device, such as a computer monitor.

What are the preferred uses of DisplayPort?

Professional environments and gaming setups.

What is a key feature of DisplayPort compared to HDMI?

Supports higher resolutions and refresh rates.

What does Multi-Stream Transport (MST) in DisplayPort allow?

It allows multiple displays to connect through a single port, ideal for multi-monitor setups.

What additional capability does DisplayPort have besides video transmission?

It transmits audio.

Which adaptive sync technologies does DisplayPort support?

AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync.

How does DisplayPort enhance gaming applications?

It reduces screen tearing.

What is the Lightning Interface?

A proprietary connector developed by Apple.

What devices primarily use the Lightning Interface?

iPhone and iPad devices.

When was the Lightning Interface introduced?

2012.

What connector did the Lightning Interface replace?

The older 30-pin dock connector.

What are two key features of the Lightning Interface?

It has a more compact and reversible design.

What does SATA stand for?

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment

What is the standard use of SATA?

Connecting internal storage drives in desktop PCs

What type of cables does SATA use?

Up to 1-meter cables with compact 7-pin connectors

How many devices does each SATA connector support?

Each connector supports a single device

What does eSATA stand for?

External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment

What is the maximum length of an eSATA cable?

2 meters (78 inches)

What type of cable is required for connection to an external eSATA port?

An eSATA cable

Are internal SATA cables compatible with eSATA ports?

No, internal SATA cables are not compatible.

What is the nonstandard powered port offered by some vendors called?

eSATAp

What types of connections does eSATAp support?

Both USB and SATA

What remains the dominant choice for external drives?

The USB interface

What is FPS

Frame Rate, describes teh video source

What is Hz

Hertz, indicates the display's refresh rate

Thunderbolt 1 and 2

Use the same physical interface as MiniDP and are compatible with DisplayPort

Thunderbolt 3

Switches to the USB-C physical interface, using the same port, connector, and cabling

Thunderbolt 4

Maintains the USB-C interface and supports up to 40 Gbps

Thunderbolt 5

Also uses the USB-C interface, offering even higher speeds and enhanced features, though specific details may vary as the technology evolves

Molex Connector: Red Wire Voltage

5 volt direct current

Molex Connector: Yellow Wire Voltage

12 volt direct current

Molex Connector: Black Wire Voltage

Ground (0 volts)

What are the Pros of IPS LCD?

Superior color accuracy and wide viewing angles, making them ideal for graphic design and professional use.

What are the Cons of IPS LCD?

Typically, slower response times compared to TN panels, which may affect fastpaced gaming.

What are the Cons of TN LCD?

Poorer color reproduction and limited viewing angles.

What are the Pro of TN LCD?

Faster response times and higher refresh rates, which are preferred for gaming.

What are the Pro of VA LCD?

Better color accuracy and viewing angles than TN

What are the Con of VA LCD?

lower response times than TN but better than IPS in some cases. VA panels can exhibit color shifting when viewed from extreme angles.

What are the Con of OLED?

Potential for burn-in, where static images can leave permanent marks if displayed for long periods.

What are the Pro of OLED?

Excellent color accuracy, contrast ratios, energy efficiency, and true blacks due to self-emissive pixels.

What are the Pro of Mini-LED?

improved brightness, better contrast and black levels, enhanced color accuracy, and reduced halo effect, allowing for thin and lightweight display designs suitable for a variety of applications.

What are the Cons of Mini-LED?

more expensive, can consume more power than OLEDs, and while they reduce blooming, they do not achieve the true blacks of OLED technology and add complexity to the manufacturing process.

What Does DVI-I Support

analog and digital outputs

What Does DVA-A Support

analog outputs

What Does DVI-D Support

digital outputs

What is a video adapter used for?

Convert between signaling types, such as HDMI to VGA, HDMI to DisplayPort, or HDMI to DVI.

What is a USB adapter used for?

Convert between USB connector types, such as USB-C to USB-A

What is a USB Hub used for?

Provide additional USB ports, allowing multiple devices to connect to a single USB port.

Active Adapter

circuitry to convert signals (e.g., digital to analog), necessary for converting signals that require different protocols, like digital HDMI to analog VGA

Passive Adapter

convert between connector types without changing the signal, work when both connectors use the same signaling standard, such as different USB connector types

What is Motherboard Form Factor mean

defines its shape, layout, compatible case, power supply, and the number of adapter cards that can be installed

ATX Form Factor

The standard form factor for desktop PC motherboards and cases, measuring 12 x 9.6 inches (305 x 244 mm) and supporting up to seven expansion slots.

Micro-ATX Form Factor

a 9.6 x 9.6 inch (244 x 244 mm) square board, with a maximum of four expansion slots.

Mini-ITX Form Factor

measure 6.7 x 6.7 inches (170 x 170 mm) and have one expansion slot. They are designed for small cases but can also be mounted in ATX cases.

Motherboard Installation — Step 1'

Review the Documentation

Motherboard Installation — Step 2

Install the I/O Shield

Motherboard Installation — Step 3

Insert Standoffs

Motherboard Installation — Step 4

Pre-install the CPU and Memory

Motherboard Installation — Step 5

Align and Secure the Motherboard

Motherboard Installation — Step 6

Final Assembly (power supply, disk drives and any additonal adapte cards to the mother board)

Motherboard Installation — Step 7

Cable Management

PCI Express bus

standard interface for modern adapter cards, using point-to-point serial communication to provide each component with a dedicated link to other components.

expansion card

enhances a motherboard by adding functions or ports not originally supported. It fits into a PCIe or PCI slot.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A microprocessor optimized for rendering 2-D and 3-D images and effects on-screen. Key performance indicators include frame rate and support for advanced texture and lighting effects.

Graphics memory

3-D graphics cards require substantial memory for processing and storing textures.