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Questions and Answers
Which components are typically not handled by the user in a personal computer?
Which components are typically not handled by the user in a personal computer?
What is the primary purpose of the I/O shield in a personal computer?
What is the primary purpose of the I/O shield in a personal computer?
What is the consequence of obstructing the power supply unit's fan exhaust?
What is the consequence of obstructing the power supply unit's fan exhaust?
When performing maintenance on a tower case, how should the front cover typically be accessed?
When performing maintenance on a tower case, how should the front cover typically be accessed?
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What do the cutout slots at the bottom of the rear panel align with?
What do the cutout slots at the bottom of the rear panel align with?
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What are the risks associated with gaps in the system case of a PC?
What are the risks associated with gaps in the system case of a PC?
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What should be done to safely open a desktop computer's case for maintenance?
What should be done to safely open a desktop computer's case for maintenance?
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Which of the following best defines an 'all-in-one' personal computer?
Which of the following best defines an 'all-in-one' personal computer?
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What does ESD stand for in the context of electronics?
What does ESD stand for in the context of electronics?
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How does ESD affect computer chips?
How does ESD affect computer chips?
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What is the purpose of I/O ports on a PC?
What is the purpose of I/O ports on a PC?
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What is a bus in computer architecture?
What is a bus in computer architecture?
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In which unit is data storage commonly measured?
In which unit is data storage commonly measured?
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What is the use of keying in connectors?
What is the use of keying in connectors?
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What type of devices does USB typically connect to?
What type of devices does USB typically connect to?
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Which of the following accurately represents the relationship between bits and bytes?
Which of the following accurately represents the relationship between bits and bytes?
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What is the main role of a USB host controller?
What is the main role of a USB host controller?
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Which USB version introduced full-duplex communication?
Which USB version introduced full-duplex communication?
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What is the data rate specified by the USB 2.0 HighSpeed standard?
What is the data rate specified by the USB 2.0 HighSpeed standard?
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Which USB connector type is primarily used for large devices such as printers?
Which USB connector type is primarily used for large devices such as printers?
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What is the maximum theoretical number of USB devices that can be connected to a single USB host controller?
What is the maximum theoretical number of USB devices that can be connected to a single USB host controller?
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Which of the following is true about USB 3.2 Gen 2x2?
Which of the following is true about USB 3.2 Gen 2x2?
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Why do most PC motherboards have multiple USB controllers?
Why do most PC motherboards have multiple USB controllers?
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Which of the following indicates a USB feature that enhances power delivery?
Which of the following indicates a USB feature that enhances power delivery?
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What is the typical resolution of 4K video?
What is the typical resolution of 4K video?
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How does the refresh rate impact video display quality?
How does the refresh rate impact video display quality?
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What technology typically illuminates liquid crystal displays (LCD)?
What technology typically illuminates liquid crystal displays (LCD)?
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Which type of display technology allows each pixel to act as its own light source?
Which type of display technology allows each pixel to act as its own light source?
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What is the primary advantage of HDMI over older video interfaces?
What is the primary advantage of HDMI over older video interfaces?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of HDMI connector?
Which of the following is NOT a type of HDMI connector?
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What is the requirement for a video card to transmit audio through HDMI?
What is the requirement for a video card to transmit audio through HDMI?
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Which term describes the measurement of how fast an image is redrawn?
Which term describes the measurement of how fast an image is redrawn?
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What distinguishes the Type B Micro connector from the older mini type connector?
What distinguishes the Type B Micro connector from the older mini type connector?
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Which of the following statements about USB 3 Type A connections is true?
Which of the following statements about USB 3 Type A connections is true?
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What is the maximum recommended cable length for SuperSpeed-capable USB devices?
What is the maximum recommended cable length for SuperSpeed-capable USB devices?
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What is the primary purpose of a USB-C connector?
What is the primary purpose of a USB-C connector?
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How much power can basic USB ports typically supply?
How much power can basic USB ports typically supply?
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Which connector type is specifically defined in USB 3.1?
Which connector type is specifically defined in USB 3.1?
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Which factor does not determine video cable bandwidth?
Which factor does not determine video cable bandwidth?
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What is a notable characteristic of USB 3 receptacles and connectors?
What is a notable characteristic of USB 3 receptacles and connectors?
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Study Notes
Personal Computer Components
- Peripheral devices are user-interactable components responsible for input (keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera), output (monitor, speakers), and external storage.
- Internal components, housed in a system case/chassis, include the motherboard, CPU, system memory modules, adapter cards, fixed disks, and power supply unit.
- Tower cases are designed to be oriented vertically and can be placed on a desk or the floor. All-in-one PCs combine internal components within a monitor case.
Opening a Desktop Computer Case
- Tower cases have a removable side cover secured by screws or clips.
- The front panel provides access to removable media drives, a power on/off switch, and LED indicators for drive activity.
- The rear panel houses PSU sockets and a PSU fan. Ensure the PSU fan is unobstructed for proper cooling.
- There may be an additional case fan for enhanced cooling.
- Below the PSU, a cutout aligns with the motherboard's I/O ports, allowing for peripheral connections.
- The I/O shield and blanking plates prevent dust, ESD, and EMI.
I/O Ports
- An I/O port allows a device to connect to the PC using a peripheral cable.
- Certain ports are designed for specific devices, like a graphics port for a monitor, while others support a variety of devices.
- External ports are located on the rear or front of the PC through cutouts in the case. They can be integrated with the motherboard or provided on an expansion card.
Bus Interfaces, Ports, and Connectors
- A hardware port is the external connection point for a particular type of bus interface, enabling data transfer between the PC and devices.
- A connector is the part of a peripheral cable that plugs into a port with a matching shape or form factor.
- Multiple connector form factors might be used for each bus interface type.
- Most connectors and ports utilize edge contacts and have either an asymmetric design to prevent misinsertion or are reversible.
Binary Data Storage and Transfer Units
- Computers process binary data: each bit (b) has a value of 1 or 0.
- Storage is measured in bytes (B), where 1 byte = 8 bits. Lowercase "b" refers to bits, while uppercase "B" refers to bytes.
- Transfer rates are measured in units per second using multiples of bits and bytes:
- 1000 - Kilobits (Kb/s or Kbps) and kilobytes (KB/s and KBps).
- 1000x1000 - Megabits (Mb/s) or megabytes (MB/s).
- 1000x1000x1000 - Gigabits (Gb/s) and gigabytes (GB/s).
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
- USB is the standard for connecting most peripheral devices to a computer.
- Peripheral functions are categorized into classes: human interface, mass storage, printer, audio devices, etc.
- A USB host controller manages the bus, supporting multiple ports.
- Most motherboards utilize multiple USB controllers to share bandwidth.
- USB port symbols may have variations indicating supported features, such as higher transfer rates and power delivery.
USB Standards
- Several versions of the USB standard have been released, introducing higher data rates, new connector types, and other improvements.
- USB - High-Speed (2.0) - specifies a 480 Mbps data rate, shared across devices connected to the same controller. It is half-duplex, facilitating either sending or receiving data at a time.
- USB 3.x and 3.2 introduced new connector types and full-duplex data transfer, allowing simultaneous sending and receiving of data.
USB Connector Types
- USB 2.0 connector types:
- Type A - Typically connected to the host and some peripheral devices. The connector and port are shaped like flat rectangles.
- Type B - Connects to larger devices like printers. The connector and port are square with a beveled top.
- Type B Mini - A smaller connector, used in early digital cameras, but no longer widely used.
- Type B Micro - Updated for smaller devices like smartphones and tablets. It is flatter than the mini type of connector.
- USB 3.0 and 3.1 connectors:
- Each connector type (A, B, and B Micro) has additional signaling pins and wires. They often feature a blue connector tab or housing for easy identification.
- Type A connectors are physically compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0 connections, but Type B/Type B Micro connectors are not.
- USB 3.1 introduced the USB-C connector, compact, reversible, and more robust than previous miniB and microB connectors.
- It provides a single interface for various devices and allows for USB-C to USB-A or B converter cables.
USB Cable Length
- Maximum cable lengths for LowSpeed devices: 3 m.
- Maximum cable lengths for FullSpeed and HighSpeed: 5 m.
- SuperSpeed cables do not have an official maximum length, but 3 m is recommended.
USB Power
- The USB bus can power connected devices in addition to data transfer.
- Most Type A and C ports can be used to charge device batteries.
- Basic USB ports supply up to 4.5 watts, depending on the USB version.
- Power delivery (PD)-capable ports can supply up to 100 watts given suitable connectors and cables.
HDMI and DisplayPort Video Cables
- HDMI and DisplayPort are dedicated interfaces for high bandwidth video transmissions.
- Video cable bandwidth depends on resolution (e.g., 1920x1200 for HD, 3840x2160 for 4K) and refresh rate (Hz or fps).
- For smooth video playback, the refresh rate should match or be evenly divisible by the frame rate.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Thin Film Transistor (TFT)
- LCD/TFT displays are commonly used in computer monitors.
- Each pixel in a color LCD consists of cells with filters for red, green, and blue (RGB) color generation.
- Transistors control the intensity of each cell, enabling pixel addressing and creating a gamut of colors.
- Flat-panel displays are backlit with LEDs or fluorescent tubes. They are often referred to as "LED displays" after the backlight technology.
- OLED monitors provide superior contrast and color fidelity because each pixel acts as its own light source.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
- HDMI is the most widely used video interface in consumer electronics and monitors.
- It supports video, audio, remote control, and digital content protection (HDCP).
- HDMI updates have added support for high resolutions (4K and 8K) and gaming features like dynamic refresh rate matching.
- It includes full-size (Type A), mini (Type C), and micro (Type D) connectors.
- HDMI cables are rated as Standard (Category 1) or High Speed (Category 2).
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Description
This quiz covers the essential components of personal computers, including internal and peripheral devices. It also explains how to open a desktop computer case safely and what to look for regarding cooling and accessibility. Test your knowledge on both hardware and assembly!
