CSLB General Building (B) — All Questions

Which component is considered the 'brain' of a computer, executing instructions and performing calculations?

• a.The power supply unit (PSU)
• b.The central processing unit (CPU)✓
• c.The hard disk drive (HDD)
• d.The network interface card (NIC)

The CPU carries out the instructions of a program by performing arithmetic, logic, and control operations. It is often called the brain of the computer. Other components like storage and power supplies support the CPU but do not execute program logic.

What is the primary purpose of RAM in a computer system?

• a.To provide fast, temporary storage for data the CPU is actively using✓
• b.To permanently store the operating system and user files
• c.To convert AC power to DC power for the motherboard
• d.To output video signals to a monitor

RAM (random access memory) is volatile memory that holds data and instructions the CPU needs quickly while programs run. Its contents are lost when power is removed, unlike permanent storage on a drive. More RAM generally lets a system run more programs simultaneously without slowing down.

Which storage technology has no moving parts and generally offers faster read and write speeds?

• a.Optical disc drive
• b.Magnetic tape
• c.Solid-state drive (SSD)✓
• d.Traditional hard disk drive (HDD)

An SSD stores data on flash memory chips with no spinning platters or moving read heads. This makes it faster and more shock-resistant than a traditional HDD. The lack of mechanical parts also reduces noise and power consumption.

What does the motherboard primarily provide in a computer?

• a.Long-term file storage for the operating system
• b.The main cooling for the CPU and GPU
• c.Backup power during outages
• d.A central circuit board connecting and allowing communication between components✓

The motherboard is the main printed circuit board that ties together the CPU, RAM, storage, and expansion cards. It provides the buses and connectors that let these parts communicate. Nearly every internal component plugs into or connects through the motherboard.

Which unit converts wall AC power into the DC voltages a computer's internal components need?

• a.The voltage regulator module (VRM)
• b.The power supply unit (PSU)✓
• c.The uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• d.The CMOS battery

The PSU takes alternating current from the wall outlet and converts it into the direct current voltages such as 3.3V, 5V, and 12V used by internal parts. Choosing a PSU with adequate wattage is important for system stability. A failing PSU can cause random shutdowns or a system that will not power on.

What is the main function of a graphics processing unit (GPU)?

• a.To render images, video, and graphics for display✓
• b.To manage network traffic between devices
• c.To store the BIOS firmware
• d.To regulate the CPU's clock speed

A GPU is specialized hardware designed to handle the parallel calculations needed to render images and video efficiently. It offloads graphics work from the CPU, improving performance in games, design software, and video editing. GPUs are also increasingly used for tasks like machine learning.

Which port standard is commonly used to connect modern peripherals and supports a reversible connector?

• a.PS/2
• b.VGA
• c.USB-C✓
• d.Parallel (LPT)

USB-C is a modern, reversible connector that can carry data, video, and power over a single cable. Its symmetrical design means it can be inserted either way. It has become common on laptops, phones, and many peripherals.

What does BIOS or UEFI firmware do when a computer first powers on?

• a.It defragments the hard drive
• b.It connects the computer to the internet
• c.It encrypts all user files
• d.It initializes hardware and starts the boot process✓

BIOS or its modern successor UEFI is firmware stored on the motherboard that runs first at power-on. It performs a power-on self-test, initializes hardware, and then hands control to the bootloader to load the operating system. UEFI adds features like faster boot and support for larger drives.

Why is a heat sink or fan attached to a CPU?

• a.To increase the CPU's clock speed automatically
• b.To dissipate heat and prevent the CPU from overheating✓
• c.To provide additional storage capacity
• d.To supply power directly to the CPU

CPUs generate significant heat while operating, and excessive heat can cause instability or damage. A heat sink draws heat away from the chip, and a fan or liquid cooler moves that heat out of the case. Adequate cooling keeps the CPU within safe operating temperatures.

What is the purpose of the CMOS battery on a motherboard?

• a.To keep the system clock and BIOS settings powered when the computer is off✓
• b.To provide backup power to the CPU during outages
• c.To charge the laptop's main battery
• d.To store the operating system

The small CMOS battery, usually a coin cell, maintains the real-time clock and stored BIOS/UEFI settings while the computer is unplugged. If it dies, the system may lose the correct date and time or reset configuration on each boot. Replacing it is a simple, inexpensive fix.

Which of the following is an example of a peripheral (input) device?

• a.The motherboard
• b.The power supply
• c.A keyboard✓
• d.The system RAM

A keyboard is an input peripheral that lets a user send data and commands to the computer. Peripherals are external devices that extend the computer's functionality. Output peripherals include monitors and printers, while the motherboard and RAM are internal core components.

What is the main advantage of using DDR4 or DDR5 RAM over older DDR3?

• a.It stores data permanently without power
• b.It replaces the need for a CPU
• c.It functions as a graphics card
• d.It offers higher speeds and greater bandwidth✓

Each new generation of DDR memory generally increases data transfer rates and bandwidth while often lowering power consumption. DDR4 and DDR5 outperform DDR3 in speed. However, RAM generations are not backward compatible, so the motherboard must support the specific type.

Which expansion slot standard is most commonly used today for graphics cards and high-speed add-in cards?

• a.ISA
• b.PCI Express (PCIe)✓
• c.AGP
• d.PCMCIA

PCI Express is the modern high-speed serial expansion bus used for graphics cards, NVMe storage, and other add-in cards. It comes in different lane widths such as x1, x4, x8, and x16. Older standards like ISA and AGP have been largely retired.

What does the acronym 'NIC' stand for in computer hardware?

• a.Network interface card✓
• b.New integrated circuit
• c.Numeric input controller
• d.Nonvolatile internal cache

A network interface card (NIC) provides the physical connection that lets a computer join a network. It can be wired using an Ethernet port or wireless using Wi-Fi. Each NIC has a unique hardware MAC address.

When installing internal components, why should a technician use an antistatic wrist strap?

• a.To improve the speed of the installation
• b.To keep cables neatly organized
• c.To prevent electrostatic discharge from damaging components✓
• d.To increase electrical power to the parts

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can silently damage sensitive electronic components such as CPUs and RAM. An antistatic wrist strap keeps the technician at the same electrical potential as the equipment, safely dissipating static charge. Working on an antistatic mat further reduces the risk.

What is the function of a laptop's inverter or backlight circuitry historically associated with the display?

• a.To store user documents
• b.To connect to Wi-Fi networks
• c.To cool the processor
• d.To power the illumination of the screen✓

Older laptop displays used an inverter to power the backlight that illuminates the LCD panel. A failing backlight can make the screen very dim even though an image is still faintly visible. Modern LED-backlit displays have largely eliminated the separate inverter.

Which type of connector and cable is standard for wired Ethernet networking on most computers?

• a.HDMI
• b.RJ45✓
• c.DisplayPort
• d.3.5mm audio

Wired Ethernet connections typically use an RJ45 connector on a twisted-pair cable such as Cat5e or Cat6. This connector plugs into the NIC and a switch or router. HDMI and DisplayPort are for video, not networking.

What is 'cache' memory on a CPU used for?

• a.To store frequently accessed data close to the CPU for faster access✓
• b.To permanently archive user files
• c.To supply power to the CPU cores
• d.To connect external displays

CPU cache is a small amount of very fast memory built into or near the processor. It holds frequently used instructions and data so the CPU can retrieve them faster than from main RAM. Caches are organized into levels such as L1, L2, and L3, with L1 being the smallest and fastest.