Core hardware, OS, and troubleshooting vocabulary tested on the CompTIA A+ exam.
46 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is RAM?
- Random Access Memory, fast volatile memory used by the CPU for temporary data storage and program execution
- What is the main difference between an SSD and an HDD?
- SSDs have no moving parts and are faster, HDDs use spinning magnetic platters and are slower
- What does the BIOS do?
- Initializes and tests hardware components before passing control to the operating system
- What is UEFI?
- Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, the modern replacement for BIOS with more features and security
- What is thermal paste used for?
- Fills microscopic imperfections between a CPU and heatsink to improve heat transfer
- What is a heatsink?
- A device made of metal with fins that absorbs and dissipates heat from computer components
- What does a graphics processing unit (GPU) do?
- Processes and renders graphics and video to display on a monitor
- What is a network interface card (NIC)?
- Hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network using a wired or wireless connection
- What does a power supply unit (PSU) do?
- Converts AC electrical power to DC power and distributes it to computer components
- What is ROM?
- Read-Only Memory, non-volatile storage that cannot be written to under normal operation
- What is CPU cache?
- Small, extremely fast memory on the CPU used to temporarily hold frequently accessed data
- What is an M.2 slot?
- A slot on the motherboard for M.2 SSDs, supporting faster data transfer than SATA
- What is Device Manager?
- A Windows tool that displays installed hardware devices and their drivers, allowing updates and troubleshooting
- What is the Windows Registry?
- A centralized database that stores configuration settings and options for Windows and installed programs
- What is Safe Mode?
- A Windows startup option that loads only essential drivers and services for troubleshooting problems