CompTIA A+ Exam 220-901: Motherboard Components

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Questions and Answers

What is the maximum data transfer rate for PCIe version 3 per lane?

150W

750 MBps

1 GBps (correct)

500 MBps

Which of the following motherboard form factors is NOT commonly recognized?

Proprietary

XT (correct)

ITX

ATX

What is the power capacity of PCIe version 2.1?

50W + 50W

100W + 100W

200W + 200W

150W + 150W (correct)

Which slot type is used for LAN cards in PCIe architecture?

x1 slot Signup and view all the answers

What does the chipset on a motherboard primarily manage?

Data transfer between components Signup and view all the answers

What is explicitly prohibited regarding the courseware from gtslearning?

Reproducing any part of the courseware Signup and view all the answers

What consequence is mentioned for violating copyright laws related to gtslearning materials?

Legal prosecution Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the trademarks associated with gtslearning products?

They are acknowledged as owned by their respective holders Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of a Micro ATX motherboard?

9.6”x9.6” Signup and view all the answers

How many expansion slots are available on a Mini-ITX motherboard?

1 expansion slot Signup and view all the answers

How many copies of the gtslearning courseware are supplied per student?

One single copy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is specifically mentioned as a condition of using additional resources from gtslearning?

They may only be used with gtslearning courses sold Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following connectors is NOT typically found on a GIGABYTE motherboard?

HDMI out Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence of data unit conversions from bytes to terabytes?

1 Byte = 1024 Bits, 1 KB = 1024 Bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB, 1 GB = 1024 MB, 1 TB = 1024 GB Signup and view all the answers

What defines the bus architecture of a motherboard?

Wiring connecting components for data, address, and power Signup and view all the answers

How many bits are there in a byte?

8 bits Signup and view all the answers

In terms of data transfer, which is correct about 10 Gbps and 10 GBps?

10 Gbps refers to gigabits while 10 GBps refers to gigabytes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the CPU socket on a motherboard?

Houses the CPU and connects it to the motherboard Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Real Time Clock (RTC) on a motherboard?

To keep track of the current time and date Signup and view all the answers

Which bus standard is described as having a shared bandwidth and usually runs at 33.3 MHz?

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the module used to increase the system's random access memory?

DIMM Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes PCI Express from earlier bus standards?

It has a point-to-point connection. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the BIOS in a motherboard?

To perform the Power-on Self-Test (POST) Signup and view all the answers

What type of battery is typically used for the RTC on a motherboard?

CR2032 lithium battery Signup and view all the answers

Which expansion slot type allows for both up-pluggable and down-pluggable adapters?

PCI Express Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about PCI-X is true?

It is primarily used in server applications. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) improve upon the traditional BIOS?

By providing a graphical interface Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of Non-volatile RAM (NVRAM)?

It retains data even when the system is powered down. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is typically found in a tower case?

Expansion slots Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of Small Form Factor (SFF) cases?

They are compact and designed for limited space. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the function of a motherboard chipset.

Manages data flow between the CPU and peripherals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following motherboard form factors is characterized as proprietary?

Custom designed for a specific brand Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of the slots for adapter cards on a motherboard?

They allow expansion and upgrading of system capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

When performing maintenance on a PC, what is a vital precaution to take?

Power off and unplug the system before working on it. Signup and view all the answers

Which bus standard is commonly used for graphics cards?

PCI Express Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drive bay is typically used for hard drives?

3.5" Drive bay Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

CompTIA A+ Certification (Exam 220-901) - Motherboard Components

Courseware Copyright: The courseware is copyrighted and cannot be copied, photocopied, reproduced, or re-used without written permission from gtslearning International Limited.
Trademark Acknowledgement: All trademarks, service marks, products, or services belong to their respective holders and are acknowledged by the publisher.
Course Usage: Each student is permitted a single copy of the courseware. Additional resources provided are for use only in conjunction with the purchased course.
Copyright Violation: If suspected copyright violation occurs, please contact gtslearning.

Objectives

Case Types and Access: Identify various computer case types and methods for accessing internal components.
Motherboard Form Factors: Differentiate between ATX, ITX, and proprietary motherboard form factors.
Motherboard Components: Identify motherboard components and explain the functions of the chipset.
Expansion Bus Slots and Cards: Identify expansion bus slots and cards and understand the features of various bus standards.

System Case Types

Tower: A common computer case type.
Small Form Factor (SFF): A smaller case type.
All-in-one (All-in-one PC): A computer case with integrated components like the monitor and input devices.

Motherboard Layout (Example)

CPU Slot: A designated location for installing the central processing unit.
Memory Slots: Designated locations on the motherboard to install RAM.
Expansion Slots: Locations for installing expansion cards for additional functionality.
Input/Output (I/O) Ports: Ports for connecting peripherals like USB devices and display ports.

Motherboard Form Factors

ATX (Advanced Technology Extended): A standard motherboard with dimensions of 12" x 9.6". Includes 7 expansion slots.
Micro ATX: A smaller motherboard with dimensions of 9.6" x 9.6". Includes 4 expansion slots.
Mini-ITX: An even smaller motherboard with dimensions of 6.7" x 6.7". Includes a single expansion slot.

Front Panel Connectors

Power Button/Reset: Controls the computer's power.
Power Light: Indicates whether the computer is on or off.
Drive Activity Lights: Indicate hard drive activity.
USB Ports: Connections for USB peripherals.
Audio Ports: Connections for audio output/input devices.
Jumper Settings: Settings for configuring the computer.

Power and Fan Connectors

Typical motherboard connectors for power supplies, CPU fans, chassis fans and more

Bus Architecture

Motherboard Wiring: The wiring within the motherboard that connects components.
Data, Address, Power: Signals for transferring data, addressing locations, and providing power.
Internal and External: Connections for internal and external devices.
System Clock and Bus Speed: The timing and transfer rate of data across the bus.
Parallel versus Serial: Different methods for transferring data signals.

Data Units and Transfer Rates

Binary Values: Data is represented as 0's and 1's.
Bit Multiples: Conversion units from bits to bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes.
Kilo vs. 1000: The difference between using 1024 and 1000 to represent kilo and larger units.
Transfer Speeds: Units for measuring transfer speeds, including bits per second (bps) and bytes per second (Bps).

CPU Socket

CPU Socket Location: Position where the CPU is installed on the motherboard.

Chipset and Memory Architecture

Detailed diagram illustrating the connections between different components.
Highlighting the role of the chipset and memory in communications.

System RAM Slots

RAM (Random Access Memory): Memory used for quick access by the CPU.
DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module): A standard RAM module type used in modern computers.

System Firmware and Battery

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): Essential software for booting the computer.
POST (Power-On Self-Test): A diagnostic test run when the computer is powered on.
RTC (Real-Time Clock): Keeps track of time and date.
Setup Menus: Enables configuration of system parameters.
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface): A modern BIOS replacement.
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor): Stores settings for the BIOS.
NVRAM (Non-volatile RAM): Stores settings even without power.

Expansion Slots

Plug-in Cards: Adds functionality to the motherboard.
Legacy Standards: Older expansion bus standards like ISA and Pre Plug-and-Play.
Modern Standards: PCI, PCI-X, and PCI Express.

PCI Bus

Bus Width and Clock Speed: Specification for the PCI bus, including data width and the speed.
Adapter Card and Slot Form Factors: Specifications for common adapter card and slot types.

PCI Express (PCIe)

Serial, Point-to-Point Bus: Communication method for high-speed transfer.
Links and Lanes: High speed bus architecture specification.
Power: Supply for connected devices.
Versions: Varying speed capabilities across versions for this bus standard.

Labs

Lab 1: Identifying PC components. This is a hands-on lab that puts the concepts in practice.

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Description

Test your knowledge on motherboard components relevant for the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam 220-901. This quiz covers various case types, motherboard form factors, and essential components, helping you prepare effectively for the exam. Hone your skills and ensure you're ready for certification.