Hardware and Software

1. What is the difference between HDD and SSD?

• A. No difference
• B. HDD is newer
• C. HDD uses spinning magnetic disks; SSD uses flash memory and is faster ✓
• D. SSD uses spinning disks; HDD uses flash memory

💡 HDDs use spinning magnetic platters (slower, cheaper, more storage). SSDs use flash memory (faster, more durable, pricier).

2. What does "64-bit" processor mean?

• A. It has 64 cores
• B. It processes 64 bits of data simultaneously ✓
• C. It runs at 64 GHz
• D. It has 64 GB RAM

💡 A 64-bit processor processes 64 bits of data per clock cycle, supporting more RAM and better performance than 32-bit.

3. What is "thermal throttling"?

• A. Overclocking a CPU
• B. Automatically reducing CPU/GPU speed when temperature gets too high to prevent damage ✓
• C. A type of cooling fan
• D. Undervolting a processor

💡 Thermal throttling automatically reduces processor speed when it overheats to prevent damage, sacrificing performance for safety.

4. What is the purpose of a "cache" in computing?

• A. To store deleted files
• B. To back up important data
• C. High-speed memory storing frequently accessed data for faster retrieval ✓
• D. To compress files

💡 Cache is a small, fast memory layer storing frequently accessed data, reducing the time needed to retrieve it from slower storage.

5. What is "BIOS" in a computer?

• A. A type of operating system
• B. Basic Input/Output System — firmware that initializes hardware when a computer starts ✓
• C. A type of processor
• D. A storage device

💡 BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware stored on a chip that initializes hardware and boots the operating system.

6. What is a "chipset" on a motherboard?

• A. A type of processor
• B. A group of chips managing data flow between the CPU, memory, and peripherals ✓
• C. A type of RAM
• D. A cooling system

💡 A chipset is a set of integrated circuits on the motherboard that manages communication between the CPU, RAM, and other components.

7. What is the function of a "heat sink"?

• A. Storing data
• B. Processing graphics
• C. A passive cooling component that dissipates heat away from a processor ✓
• D. Boosting Wi-Fi signal

💡 A heat sink is a metal component attached to a CPU or GPU that absorbs and dissipates heat into the surrounding air.

8. What does "overclocking" mean?

• A. Slowing down a processor
• B. Running a CPU or GPU faster than its rated speed for better performance ✓
• C. A type of cooling system
• D. Replacing hardware components

💡 Overclocking increases a processor's clock speed beyond factory settings to boost performance, often requiring extra cooling.

9. What is "RAID" in storage technology?

• A. Rapid Access Integrated Drive
• B. A type of SSD
• C. Redundant Array of Independent Disks — combining multiple drives for performance or redundancy ✓
• D. Random Array of Integrated Data

💡 RAID combines multiple drives to improve performance (striping), redundancy (mirroring), or both, protecting against drive failure.

10. What is a "multi-core processor"?

• A. A processor with multiple computers
• B. A processor with multiple processing units on a single chip ✓
• C. A type of GPU
• D. A processor with multiple cache levels

💡 A multi-core processor has multiple independent processing units (cores) on one chip, enabling parallel task execution.

11. What does "USB 3.0" offer compared to USB 2.0?

• A. Smaller connector
• B. Longer cable support
• C. Wireless connectivity
• D. Significantly faster data transfer speeds ✓

💡 USB 3.0 offers transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps — about 10 times faster than USB 2.0's maximum of 480 Mbps.

12. What is "firmware"?

• A. A type of software application
• B. Software stored in read-only memory that controls hardware at a low level ✓
• C. A type of hardware
• D. A network protocol

💡 Firmware is low-level software embedded in hardware devices (like routers, cameras) that controls their basic functions.

13. What is the function of the GPU?

• A. Process general tasks
• B. Store data permanently
• C. Handle graphics and parallel processing tasks ✓
• D. Manage network connections

💡 The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) handles rendering graphics and is also used for parallel computing tasks like AI and video editing.

14. What does "open source" software mean?

• A. Software that is always free
• B. Software with source code publicly available for anyone to view, modify and distribute ✓
• C. Software with no license
• D. Software made by volunteers only

💡 Open source software publishes its source code publicly, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and distribute it.

15. What is "virtual memory"?

• A. Memory stored in the cloud
• B. RAM that runs at double speed
• C. A technique using hard drive space as additional RAM when physical RAM is full ✓
• D. A type of cache

💡 Virtual memory uses a portion of the hard drive as an extension of RAM, allowing computers to run more programs than physical RAM allows.