ICT Computer Hardware and Peripherals 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the main advantage of a solid-state drive (SSD) over a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) in terms of physical design?
- Higher storage capacity per dollar
- No moving mechanical parts (Correct answer)
- Built-in error correction
- Longer write endurance
Correct answer: No moving mechanical parts
SSDs store data on NAND flash chips with no spinning platters or read/write heads, making them faster, quieter, and more shock-resistant than HDDs.
Question 2: Which specification defines the maximum resolution and refresh rate a DisplayPort cable can support?
- The cable's length only
- The DisplayPort version (e.g., 1.4, 2.1) (Correct answer)
- The monitor's panel type
- The GPU's VRAM size
Correct answer: The DisplayPort version (e.g., 1.4, 2.1)
Each DisplayPort version specifies a maximum bandwidth; for example, DP 1.4 supports 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz with DSC compression.
Question 3: In a mechanical keyboard, what is the role of the switch's 'actuation point'?
- The maximum force before the key bottoms out
- The travel distance at which the keystroke is registered (Correct answer)
- The point where the key audibly clicks
- The reset position when the key is released
Correct answer: The travel distance at which the keystroke is registered
The actuation point is the specific travel depth at which the switch closes the circuit and sends a keystroke signal to the computer.
Question 4: What does 'DPI' measure on a computer mouse?
- Double-press interval
- Dots per inch — sensor sensitivity to physical movement (Correct answer)
- Display pixel integration
- Data polling interval
Correct answer: Dots per inch — sensor sensitivity to physical movement
DPI (dots per inch) describes how many pixels the cursor moves on screen for every inch the mouse moves physically; higher DPI means faster cursor movement.
Question 5: A technician finds a capacitor on a motherboard that is bulging at the top. What should they do?
- Apply thermal paste to it
- Replace the motherboard or capacitor (Correct answer)
- Update the BIOS firmware
- Reseat the RAM modules
Correct answer: Replace the motherboard or capacitor
A bulging capacitor indicates it has failed and can cause system instability or fire; the motherboard or the capacitor itself must be replaced.
Question 6: Which standard governs the physical dimensions and mounting hole positions of ATX motherboards?
- IEEE 1284
- ATX form factor specification (Correct answer)
- JEDEC DDR standard
- ACPI power standard
Correct answer: ATX form factor specification
The ATX form factor specification defines the board's dimensions (305×244 mm), mounting holes, and rear I/O panel position for compatibility with ATX cases.
Question 7: What is 'overclocking' in the context of computer hardware?
- Running a CPU at its rated base clock
- Running a component at a higher frequency than its manufacturer's default rating (Correct answer)
- Synchronizing multiple CPUs in parallel
- Reducing heat output by lowering the clock multiplier
Correct answer: Running a component at a higher frequency than its manufacturer's default rating
Overclocking manually increases a component's clock speed beyond factory specifications to gain performance, usually at the cost of higher heat and power consumption.
ICT Computer Hardware and Peripherals 4
What is the main advantage of a solid-state drive (SSD) over a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) in terms of physical design?