Computer Hardware, Peripherals and Maintenance
The Computer Hardware, Peripherals and Maintenance domain covers the parts inside a desktop or laptop, how they must be matched, and the routine care that prevents failure. Questions mix identification (sockets, slots, cables) with a logical fault-finding order.
Core knowledge
- Motherboards: ATX, micro-ATX, mini-ITX; the 24-pin ATX main connector plus the 4/8-pin EPS CPU power connector.
- CPU sockets (LGA vs PGA) must match the chip; thermal paste is applied thin, and the cooler is tightened diagonally.
- RAM: DDR3, DDR4 and DDR5 are keyed differently and are not interchangeable; dual-channel needs matched sticks in the correct slots.
- Storage: SATA III runs at ≈6 Gb/s; NVMe over PCIe is far faster. HDDs need 4K alignment; SSDs need TRIM enabled.
- BIOS/UEFI stores POST results; beep codes or a debug LED narrow the fault.
- Maintenance: dust removal with the fan held still, thermal paste renewal, backup before service, anti-static precautions.
Worked example
A PC powers on, fans spin, no display. Reasoning order: confirm monitor and cable, then listen for beep codes or read the debug LED, reseat the RAM (the most common cause), check the 4/8-pin CPU connector, clear CMOS, then test with a single stick and onboard video. Only after these do you suspect the CPU or board. Replacing parts first wastes time and money.
Traps that cost marks
- Fitting DDR4 into a DDR5 slot or mixing memory voltages.
- Powering the board without the CPU auxiliary connector and declaring it dead.
- Touching gold contacts and chips without ESD protection.