CompTIA Practice Test Hardware 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which motherboard form factor is the LARGEST and provides the most expansion slots for workstation builds?
- Mini-ITX
- Micro-ATX
- ATX
- E-ATX (Correct answer)
Correct answer: E-ATX
Extended ATX (E-ATX) is larger than standard ATX and offers more PCIe slots, RAM slots, and VRM phases for high-end workstation or server builds.
Question 2: A user wants to add a second monitor but their GPU only has one DisplayPort and one HDMI output, both in use. What is the BEST solution?
- Install a second GPU in the PCIe slot (Correct answer)
- Use a USB to DisplayPort adapter
- Replace the monitor with one that uses VGA
- Daisy-chain monitors using Ethernet
Correct answer: Install a second GPU in the PCIe slot
Installing a dedicated second GPU in an available PCIe slot is the most reliable way to add display outputs when the primary GPU is fully utilized.
Question 3: What does the term 'TDP' refer to in the context of CPU and GPU specifications?
- Total Data Processing — the number of operations per second
- Thermal Design Power — the maximum heat a cooler must dissipate (Correct answer)
- Transfer Data Protocol — the bus communication standard
- Transistor Density Parameter — chip fabrication measurement
Correct answer: Thermal Design Power — the maximum heat a cooler must dissipate
TDP (Thermal Design Power) specifies the maximum sustained power a cooling solution must dissipate, guiding cooler selection.
Question 4: Which cable standard supplies both data and up to 100W of power delivery over a single reversible connector?
- USB Type-A 3.2
- Thunderbolt 2
- USB Type-C with USB Power Delivery (Correct answer)
- eSATA with PoweredUSB
Correct answer: USB Type-C with USB Power Delivery
USB Type-C with the USB Power Delivery specification can carry data at USB 3.2/4 speeds and deliver up to 100W (240W with EPR) through the same cable.
Question 5: A technician discovers a laptop battery bulging outward, deforming the bottom case. What is the correct action?
- Puncture the battery to release pressure before disposal
- Continue using the laptop but remove the AC adapter
- Power off immediately, remove battery if safe, and dispose properly (Correct answer)
- Charge the battery to 100% to recalibrate it
Correct answer: Power off immediately, remove battery if safe, and dispose properly
A swollen lithium battery is a fire and explosion hazard; the device must be powered off immediately and the battery disposed of following hazardous materials guidelines.
Question 6: When installing DDR5 RAM in a dual-channel configuration, which slots should the modules occupy?
- Slots 1 and 2 (adjacent slots)
- Slots 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 (matching color slots) (Correct answer)
- Any two slots regardless of position
- Only slot 1 for single-channel, all four for dual-channel
Correct answer: Slots 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 (matching color slots)
Dual-channel requires populating matching slots (usually same color, e.g., A1+B1 or A2+B2) as defined by the motherboard manual to activate dual-channel mode.
Question 7: What is the function of a KVM switch in a hardware environment?
- It converts keyboard signals from PS/2 to USB format
- It allows one keyboard, video, and mouse to control multiple computers (Correct answer)
- It amplifies video signals over long cable runs
- It encrypts keyboard input to prevent keylogging
Correct answer: It allows one keyboard, video, and mouse to control multiple computers
A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch lets a single set of peripherals control multiple computers by switching the connections between them.
CompTIA Practice Test Hardware 3
Which motherboard form factor is the LARGEST and provides the most expansion slots for workstation builds?