Beginner IT Support Hardware Guide

Flashcards for reviewing Beginner IT Support Hardware Guide

What is the main function of the case/tower in a desktop computer?

To hold all the internal components like the CPU, RAM, and hard drives in place.

What is the role of the CPU in a computer?

The CPU is the brain of the computer; it carries out instructions and processes data.

What are the key components inside a CPU?

Cores (mini brains), cache (super-fast memory), and clock speed (how fast it thinks).

What type of memory is RAM?

Short-term memory.

What is the function of RAM?

Temporarily stores information your computer is using.

What are the two types of long-term storage?

HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive).

What is the main difference between HDD and SSD?

SSDs offer faster data transfer speeds, are more durable, and consume less power, while HDDs provide larger storage capacities at a lower cost.

What component connects all other components in a computer?

The motherboard.

What is the role of the motherboard?

It connects all components together and has slots for the CPU, RAM, storage, and more.

What does the power supply unit (PSU) do?

The PSU gives power to every part of the computer and converts electricity from the wall into a usable form.

What is the function of the GPU?

The GPU handles graphics and visuals.

What are the two main types of GPUs?

Integrated GPUs (basic) and dedicated GPUs (powerful).

What is the purpose of the cooling system in a computer?

To cool the system and prevent overheating.

What are the common components of a cooling system?

Fans and heat sinks; some systems use liquid cooling.

What do keyboards and mice do?

The keyboard lets you type, and the mouse lets you click and move; they send signals to the computer.

What is displayed on the monitor?

Everything you see--apps, videos, files--output from the GPU.

What ports are commonly used to connect a monitor?

HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort.

What do cables and ports do?

Carry signals, power, internet, and data.

Give examples of common cables and ports.

HDMI, USB, DisplayPort, VGA, Ethernet

What does HDMI stand for, and what does it do?

High-Definition Multimedia Interface; it carries both video and audio.

What is DisplayPort used for?

Carries video and audio, similar to HDMI, but supports higher resolutions and refresh rates.

What are DisplayPorts most commonly used for?

Professional and gaming monitors

What does VGA stand for, and what does it carry?

Video Graphics Array; it carries video only.

What type of video connector is considered outdated?

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

What does DVI stand for, and what does it carry?

Digital Visual Interface; it carries video only, but higher quality than VGA.

What does USB stand for, and what is it used for?

Universal Serial Bus; it transfers data and power.

What are the common types of USB connectors?

USB-A, USB-C, and USB 3.0.

What is the color of a USB 3.0 port?

Blue

What is an ethernet cable used for?

Connects a computer to the internet via a wired connection.

What is the connector at the end of the ethernet cable called?

RJ-45

What is an audio jack used for?

Carries sound output (headphones/speakers) or input (microphone).

What is the typical size of an audio jack?

3.5mm

What do power cords do?

Supply electricity to devices.

What is Thunderbolt used for?

Transfers data, video, and power, extremely fast.

What are Ethernet cables used for?

To connect computers and devices to a network (like the internet).

What is the connector used for Ethernet cables?

RJ-45 connector (the plastic end with 8 pins).

List common categories of Ethernet cables.

Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7/Cat8

Up to what speed can a Cat5e cable transfer data?

1 Gbps

What is the use of console cables?

Console cables connect a computer to a network device for configuration.

Give an example of a terminal programs used with console cables.

PuTTY

What is SATA used for?

Used to connect HDDs, SSDs, CD/DVD drives to the motherboard.

What is the data transfer rate of SATA III?

6 Gbps

What is USB used for?

Connecting external devices like flash drives, keyboards, etc.

What is used for connecting external monitors, docking stations, and data transfer?

Thunderbolt (via USB-C)

For display cables, what versions define better resolution and refresh rate?

HDMI: Versions 1.4, 2.0, 2.1; DisplayPort: Versions 1.2, 1.4, 2.0

What does PCIe stand for?

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express

List the numbered cable standards

SATA, USB, PCle, Thunderbolt, and Display Cables

What are the speeds of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0/3.1/3.2, respectively?

480 Mbps and 5-10 Gbps

What is one example of a use case for console cables?

Connecting to a Cisco router to set up IP settings or reset the device.

What is the data transfer rate of USB4?

Up to 40 Gbps