Test your skills with our free online computer hardware and software quiz! Dive into key topics from operating systems to components in this interactive computer basics quiz. You'll uncover the difference in a hardware vs software quiz setup and sharpen your understanding of vital computer essentials . Whether you're reviewing basic hardware of a computer or exploring software foundations, each question boosts your confidence and highlights areas to grow. Perfect for students, hobbyists, and IT pros, this friendly challenge powers your path to digital mastery. Ready to begin? Click "Start Quiz" now and level up your tech knowledge!
What does CPU stand for in computer terminology?
Central Processing Unit
Computer Primary Unit
Control Protocol Unit
Core Power Unit
The CPU is the primary component that interprets and executes instructions in a computer. It acts as the brain of the system, handling calculations and controlling other hardware. Modern CPUs contain multiple cores to handle parallel tasks. For more details, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit.
Which device is used for permanent data storage?
GPU
RAM
Hard Disk Drive
CPU Cache
A Hard Disk Drive stores data magnetically on spinning platters, providing non-volatile storage. RAM is volatile and loses its data when power is off. CPU cache is small, fast memory for temporary storage. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive.
What component is primarily responsible for rendering graphics?
Solid State Drive
Network Interface Card
Graphics Processing Unit
Sound Card
The GPU is specialized for parallel processing to render images, animations, and video. It offloads graphics tasks from the CPU for smoother performance. Modern GPUs can also accelerate compute tasks. More info at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_processing_unit.
Which type of memory is volatile?
HDD
ROM
RAM
SSD
RAM (Random Access Memory) requires power to maintain stored information, making it volatile. SSD and HDD are non-volatile, retaining data when powered off. ROM is read-only and also non-volatile. For more, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_memory.
What does BIOS stand for?
Binary Integrated Operating System
Basic Internet Output Service
Bus Interface Output System
Basic Input/Output System
BIOS initializes hardware during booting and provides runtime services for operating systems. It resides on a chip on the motherboard. Newer systems may use UEFI instead. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS.
Which port is commonly used for wired network connections?
USB Type-A
VGA
Ethernet (RJ-45)
HDMI
Ethernet ports (RJ-45) are standard on networked devices for LAN connections. USB, HDMI, and VGA serve other purposes like peripheral connectivity and video output. Ethernet supports high-speed data transmission. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_port.
Which operating system is developed by Microsoft?
Ubuntu
Windows
Fedora
macOS
Windows is a family of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft. macOS is by Apple, while Ubuntu and Fedora are Linux distributions. Windows is widely used on personal computers. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows.
What is the primary function of RAM in a computer?
Graphics rendering
Long-term data archival
Network traffic management
Temporary data storage for active processes
RAM stores data and machine code currently being used by the CPU. It provides fast read/write access, improving performance. It is volatile, so it clears when power is off. For more, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory.
Which device translates domain names into IP addresses?
DNS server
SMTP server
FTP server
DHCP server
DNS servers resolve human-readable domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load Internet resources. DHCP assigns IP addresses dynamically. FTP and SMTP servers handle file transfers and email, respectively. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_System.
What does SSD stand for?
Standard State Drive
Solid State Drive
Solid Storage Disk
System Storage Device
An SSD uses NAND-based flash memory for persistent storage, providing faster access times than HDDs. It has no moving parts, improving durability. SSDs consume less power and generate less noise. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive.
Which component provides power to the computer's internal parts?
Power Supply Unit
Motherboard
CPU Fan
RAM stick
The Power Supply Unit converts AC power from an outlet into DC power usable by computer components. It delivers different voltage rails to the motherboard, drives, and peripherals. Proper wattage and quality are critical for system stability. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply.
Which slot on the motherboard is used for high-speed graphics cards?
PCI Express x16
PCI
AGP
ISA
PCI Express x16 slots are designed to support modern GPUs with high bandwidth. AGP is an older standard that has been largely replaced. PCI and ISA are slower legacy slots. For details, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express.
What is the purpose of a RAID 1 configuration?
Single drive expansion
Striping data for performance
Parity-based redundancy
Mirroring data across two drives
RAID 1 duplicates data on two drives for redundancy, offering fault tolerance. If one drive fails, the other retains a complete copy. It does not improve write performance and halves available capacity. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels#RAID_1.
Which firmware interface replaces the legacy BIOS in modern PCs?
UEFI
EFI 32
MCU
TPM
UEFI provides a modern interface with faster boot times, larger drive support, and secure boot features. It supersedes the older BIOS standard. UEFI also supports graphical user interfaces. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface.
What is the main function of the motherboard chipset?
Manages wireless network connections
Stores firmware for the GPU
Controls data flow between CPU, memory, and peripherals
Supplies power to the CPU
The chipset directs communications between the CPU, RAM, storage, and other peripherals. It determines supported technologies and expansion options. Modern chipsets integrate many functions previously on separate controllers. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipset.
Which file system is native to modern Windows installations?
HFS+
ext4
NTFS
FAT32
NTFS supports file permissions, encryption, quotas, and large volume sizes, making it the default for Windows. ext4 is common on Linux, while HFS+ is older macOS. FAT32 has limitations on file size and partition size. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS.
What does DIMM stand for regarding memory modules?
Dual In-line Memory Module
Dual Integrated Main Module
Direct Input Memory Module
Direct Integrated Memory Module
DIMMs are modern memory modules with separate electrical contacts on each side. They replaced SIMMs (Single In-line Memory Modules) for improved speed and capacity. DIMMs are used in desktops and servers. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_module#DIMM.
Which technology translates human-friendly URLs into IP addresses?
HTTP
SMTP
FTP
DNS
DNS (Domain Name System) resolves domain names into IP addresses for network communication. HTTP is a transfer protocol, FTP is file transfer, and SMTP handles email delivery. DNS is foundational for web browsing. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_System.
What unit measures data transfer rate in networking?
MBps
MB/s
GB
Mbps
Mbps stands for megabits per second, commonly used for network speeds. MBps and MB/s denote megabytes per second, used for storage throughput. Bits vs. bytes distinction is critical. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_prefix.
Which component manages hardware interrupts and DMA channels?
Northbridge
CPU Cache
Southbridge
BIOS Chip
In legacy architectures, the Southbridge managed I/O functions, including interrupts and DMA. The Northbridge connected high-speed components like CPU and RAM. Modern chipsets integrate these functions differently. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipset#Northbridge_and_southbridge.
What is the primary role of a device driver?
Encrypt file systems
Translate OS calls to hardware-specific operations
Manage user authentication
Store system logs
Device drivers act as translators between the operating system and hardware devices. They enable the OS to communicate with peripherals without needing hardware-specific code in the kernel. Drivers are essential for proper device functionality. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_driver.
Which memory technology includes ECC for error correction?
Graphics GDDR6
Server-grade RAM
Consumer DDR4
USB flash
ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory detects and corrects single-bit errors, used in servers for stability. Consumer-grade RAM lacks ECC features. GDDR is optimized for graphics workloads but does not include ECC. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Error_correction_code_memory.
What type of connector is used by SATA cables?
7-pin L-shaped
4-pin Molex
9-pin D-sub
15-pin L-shaped
SATA data cables use a 7-pin L-shaped connector to connect storage devices to the motherboard. The 15-pin L-shaped connector provides power to SATA devices. Molex is used on older drives, and D-sub is for video. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA.
Which virtualization technology is provided by Intel processors?
KVM
AMD-V
Hyper-V
VT-x
Intel VT-x adds hardware extensions for virtualization, improving performance and security. AMD processors offer a similar feature called AMD-V. Hyper-V and KVM are hypervisor solutions that leverage hardware virtualization. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_VT-x.
What is the advantage of pipelining in CPU architecture?
Increases instruction throughput by overlapping stages
Simplifies instruction set
Eliminates need for cache memory
Reduces CPU clock speed
Pipelining divides instruction execution into stages, allowing multiple instructions to be processed simultaneously. This increases overall throughput without raising clock speed. It introduces hazards that must be managed. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipeline_(CPU).
Which RAID level uses striping with parity distributed across drives?
RAID 5
RAID 0
RAID 10
RAID 1
RAID 5 stripes data across multiple disks and stores parity information on each drive, providing fault tolerance and improved read performance. It can survive a single drive failure. RAID 0 offers no redundancy. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID#RAID_5.
In x86 architecture, which privilege level is used by user applications?
Ring 1
Ring 2
Ring 0
Ring 3
x86 defines four privilege rings; Ring 0 is the most privileged for the kernel, while Ring 3 is least privileged for user applications. Rings 1 and 2 are rarely used. This model enhances system security. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protection_ring.
What mechanism does UEFI use to ensure that only trusted boot code runs?
Boot Guard
Secure Boot
Fast Boot
TPM Sealing
Secure Boot verifies digital signatures of bootloaders and OS kernels to prevent unauthorized code from running. It's part of the UEFI specification. Fast Boot improves startup time but doesn't handle security. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Boot.
Which cache level is closest to the CPU cores and fastest?
L3 cache
L1 cache
L2 cache
L4 cache
L1 cache sits directly on the CPU core, providing the fastest access times but smallest capacity. L2 and L3 caches are larger but slower and shared across cores. L4 is rare and used in some high-end designs. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_cache.
What is memory interleaving used for?
Prevent fragmentation
Encrypt memory contents
Increase memory throughput by parallel access
Reduce memory latency by caching
Memory interleaving spreads addresses across multiple memory modules, allowing parallel data access and higher bandwidth. It reduces the effect of single-module bottlenecks. It does not perform encryption or caching. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interleaved_memory.
Which tool would you use to update motherboard firmware?
Device Manager
UEFI firmware flashing utility
Disk defragmenter
Disk partitioner
Motherboard manufacturers provide UEFI/BIOS flashing utilities to update firmware safely. Disk defragmenters and partitioners handle storage drives, while Device Manager updates drivers. Using the correct flashing tool prevents bricking. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS#Firmware_updates.
In CPU design, what is branch prediction used for?
Reduce pipeline stalls by predicting instruction flow
Optimize cache allocation
Encrypt branching instructions
Balance load across cores
Branch prediction guesses the outcome of conditional instructions to keep the pipeline full. Accurate predictions reduce stalls and improve performance. Mispredictions incur a penalty but overall increase throughput. For more, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_predictor.
Which file system feature allows snapshots in Linux?
Encryption
Copy-on-Write (CoW)
Defragmentation
Journaling
Copy-on-Write file systems like Btrfs and ZFS support snapshots by only writing changed blocks. Journaling logs metadata for crash recovery but doesn't provide snapshots. Encryption and defragmentation serve other purposes. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copy-on-write.
What is the role of the hypervisor in virtualization?
Schedule OS updates
Encrypt virtual disk images
Provide network services
Manage and allocate hardware resources to virtual machines
The hypervisor creates and runs virtual machines, allocating CPU, memory, and I/O resources. It isolates VMs for security and performance. Type 1 runs directly on hardware; Type 2 runs on a host OS. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypervisor.
Which cooling method uses a liquid to transfer heat away from components?
Thermoelectric cooling
Passive convection
Liquid cooling
Heat sink
Liquid cooling circulates coolant through blocks attached to hot components, then dissipates heat via a radiator. Heat sinks rely on metal fins and airflow. Thermoelectric coolers use Peltier effect, and passive convection uses natural airflow. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_cooling.
What distinguishes a 64-bit operating system from a 32-bit one?
Different file system types
Faster clock speeds
Ability to address more than 4 GB of RAM
Only supports multi-core CPUs
A 64-bit OS can use larger address spaces, allowing it to manage more than 4 GB of RAM. It also supports 64-bit applications for performance and security improvements. Clock speed and file system types are independent of bitness. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit_computing.
What is microcode in a CPU?
Low-level instructions that implement higher-level machine code operations
BIOS update file
Firmware that controls the GPU
User-space application code
Microcode sits between hardware and machine code, translating complex instructions into sequences of hardware-level operations. It can be updated to fix processor bugs without changing the silicon. It is distinct from BIOS or GPU firmware. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcode.
Which vulnerability exploits speculative execution in modern CPUs?
Meltdown
Shellshock
Spectre
Heartbleed
Spectre abuses speculative execution and branch prediction to read privileged memory. Meltdown is a related but distinct attack on memory isolation. Heartbleed and Shellshock affect software protocols. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(security_vulnerability).
What is the function of a Platform Controller Hub in Intel systems?
Consolidates Southbridge functions into a single chip
Provides discrete GPU capabilities
Manages user accounts and permissions
Hosts the CPU cores
Intel's Platform Controller Hub integrates I/O functions like USB, SATA, and PCIe, replacing legacy Southbridge chips. It works alongside the CPU and memory controller. It does not host cores or GPUs. For more, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platform_Controller_Hub.
In virtualization, what is nested paging?
Hardware feature that reduces translation overhead for guest VMs
Mapping physical storage to virtual disks
Encrypting guest memory pages
Running hypervisors inside containers
Nested paging (Second Level Address Translation) allows the CPU to handle guest OS page tables in hardware, improving VM memory performance. Without it, hypervisor software must trap and emulate memory accesses. It is not encryption or container-based. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Level_Address_Translation.
0
{"name":"What does CPU stand for in computer terminology?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What does CPU stand for in computer terminology?, Which device is used for permanent data storage?, What component is primarily responsible for rendering graphics?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}
Score10/40
Easy6/12
Medium2/12
Hard2/12
Expert0/4
AI Study Notes
Email these to me
You can bookmark this page to review your notes in future, or fill out the email box below to email them to yourself.
Study Outcomes
Understand Essential Hardware Components -
Gain a clear grasp of key computer parts such as CPUs, RAM, storage devices, and motherboards to recognize their roles and interactions.
Differentiate Hardware vs Software -
Learn to distinguish physical components from programs and applications, reinforcing concepts introduced in the hardware vs software quiz section.
Identify Operating System Functions -
Discover how operating systems manage resources, facilitate user interaction, and support application execution in an operating system quiz format.
Analyze Performance Factors -
Examine how hardware specifications and software configurations affect overall system speed, stability, and efficiency.
Apply Basic Troubleshooting Techniques -
Practice diagnosing and resolving common hardware and software issues using structured problem-solving steps.
Recall GUI Concepts and Interfaces -
Remember key graphical user interface elements and navigation principles covered in the computer components quiz to improve user experience understanding.
Cheat Sheet
CPU Architecture and Performance -
When tackling a computer hardware and software quiz, remember the CPU's fetch-decode-execute (FDE) cycle: it fetches an instruction, decodes it, then executes it. Calculate throughput by multiplying core count by clock speed (e.g., 4 cores × 3 GHz = 12 billion cycles per second). Use the mnemonic "FDE" to recall each stage in order.
Memory Hierarchy: Cache, RAM, and Virtual Memory -
For your computer components quiz, differentiate between cache (L1, L2), RAM, and virtual memory - faster levels closer to the CPU. Hit ratio = hits ÷ (hits + misses) helps gauge cache efficiency. Remember "CLoVeR" (Cache, Levels, Virtual Memory, RAM) to trace the hierarchy.
Storage Devices: HDD vs SSD -
On a hardware vs software quiz, know that HDDs use spinning platters (seeking time ~5 - 15 ms) while SSDs leverage flash memory (IOPS up to 100,000+). Compare throughput: HDDs ~150 MB/s vs SSDs ~500 MB/s. Mnemonic "SPEED" (Silicon Performs Exponentially Efficient Data) helps distinguish SSD advantages.
Operating System Roles and Scheduling -
In the operating system quiz section of the computer basics quiz, recall that an OS handles process management, memory, I/O, and security. Study round-robin scheduling: average turnaround = (sum of completion times) ÷ n. Use "SPrio" (Security, Processes, Resources, I/O) to list core OS functions.
Software Classification: System vs Application -
For the software segment of your computer hardware and software quiz, distinguish system software (OS kernels, device drivers) from application software (text editors, games). Contrast GUIs (point-and-click) with CLIs (command-line). The acronym "SAG" (System, Application, GUI) makes it easy to recall.
