COMPTIA A+ 220-1101



Hardware

  1. 3.1 Explain basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes
    • Network Cables
    • Peripheral Cables
    • Video Cables
    • Hard Drive Cables
    • Adapters
    • Connector types
  2. 3.2 Given a scenario, install the appropriate RAM
    • RAM types
    • Single-channel
    • Dual-channel
    • Triple-channel
    • Quad-channel
  3. 3.3 Given a scenario, select and install storage devices
    • Hard drives
    • SSDs
    • Drive configurations
    • Removable storage
  4. 3.4 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards
    • Encryption
    • CPU architecture
    • Expansion cards
    • Cooling
  5. 3.5 Given a scenario, install or replace the appropriate power supply
    • Input 110-220 VAC vs. 220-240 VAC
    • Output 3.3V vs. 5V vs. 12v
    • 20-pin to 24-pin MB adapter
    • Redundant power supply
    • Modular power supply
    • Wattage rating
  6. 3.6 Given a scenario, deploy and configure multifunction devices/printers and settings
    • Unboxing a device
    • Use appropriate drivers for given OS
    • Device connectivity
    • Public/Shared devices
    • Configuration settings
    • Security
    • Network scan services
    • ADF/flatbed scanner
  7. 3.7 Given a scenario, install and replace printer consumables
    • Laser
    • Inkjet
    • Thermal
    • Impact
    • 3-D printer

3.4 Motherboards, Central Processing Units (CPUs), and add-on cards.

Motherboard Form Factors

(All can fit on an ATX chase/case)

  • Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX)
    • Size: 12 x 9.6 inches.
    • Features: Standard form factor with good expansion capabilities, supports up to seven (7) expansion slots.
    • Use: Desktops.
  • Micro ATX
    • Size: 9.6 x 9.6 inches.
    • Features: Smaller than ATX but with similar mounting points, supports up to four (4) expansion slots.
    • Use: Small desktops.
  • ITX (not a form factor, but a family of form factors.)
  • Mini-ITX
    • Size: 6.7 x 6.7 inches.
    • Features: Very compact, typically supports one (1) expansion slot.
    • Use: Small form factor (SFF) PCs & home theater PCs (HTPC).
Back to top

Motherboard Connector Types

  • Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
    • Are 32-bit ("Legacy").
    • Are about 3 inches long and white.
    • Is 33-66 MHz (133-266 MBps) over a 32-byte channel.
    • Has 3.3V and 5V versions.
  • PCI Express (PCIe)
    • There are seven(7) different link/lane widths (x1, x2, x4, x8, x12, x16, x32)

      • (The three(3) most common are x1, x4, and x16)

    • Every PCIe slot has a 22-pin portion.
    • There are Five(5) different versions.
      1. 1.x at 250 MBs.
      2. 2.x at 500 MBs.
      3. 3.0 at 1 GBs.
      4. 4.0 at 2 GBs.
      5. 5.0 at 4 GBs.

        6. (Version 6.0 expected in 2023 at 8 GBs.)

    • Data throughput is per lane; more lanes multiply throughput.
    • Versions are forward AND backward compatible.
    • Up-Plugging is using a shorter card in a longer slot.
    • A Riser Card is a special adapter making additional expansion cards parallel to the motherboard.
  • Power Connectors
    • Main power connectors
      1. 24-pin ATX Connector
        • Function: Supplies power to the motherboard.
        • Details: This is the main power connector for modern motherboards. It replaced the older 20-pin connector, adding additional power lines for stability
      2. 4-pin and 8-pin CPU Power Connectors
        • Function: Provides additional power to the CPU.
        • Details: Modern motherboards use 4-pin (ATX12V) or 8-pin (EPS12V) connectors to ensure the CPU receives sufficient power, especially for high-performance CPUs
    • Peripheral power connectors
      1. SATA Power Connectors
        • Function: Supplies power to SATA devices like hard drives and SSDs
        • Details: A flat, 15-pin connector that provides 3.3V, 5V, and 12V power lines
      2. Molex Connectors
        • Function: Supplies power to older peripheral devices
        • Details: A 4-pin connector typically used for older hard drives, optical drives, and some case fans. It provides 5V and 12V power lines
      3. PCIe Power Connectors
        • Function: Provides additional power to PCIe expansion cards like graphics cards
        • Details: Available in 6-pin and 8-pin (or 6+2 pin) configurations. High-performance graphics cards may require multiple connectors to operate
    • Special power connectors
      1. Floppy Drive Power Connectors
        • Function: Supplies power to floppy drives
        • Details: A smaller 4-pin connector (Berg) that provides 5V and 12V power lines. It's rarely used in modern systems but may appear on the exam
      2. Auxiliary Power Connectors
        • Function: Provides additional power to components
        • Details: Some high-end motherboards and components may have additional power connectors to ensure stable power delivery
  • Serial ATA (SATA)
    • Does not provide power the way USB does
    • SATA 150 (SATA I): 1.5 Gbps
    • SATA 300 (SATA II): 3 Gbps
    • SATA 600 (SATA III): 6 Gbps
  • External SATA (eSATA)
    • Designed for external storage devices
    • Cables can be longer than internal SATA (2m or 6.6ft)
    • Offers the same speeds as internal SATA
    • eSATAp combines eSATA with USB power, allowing for data transfer and power on one cable
  • Headers: Series of pins for connecting power button, power light, reset button, lights, audio jacks, USB ports, etc.
  • M.2:
Back to top

Motherboard Compatibility

Back to top