Question 1
Why does a dedicated (discrete) graphics card generally outperform an onboard/integrated one?
It has its own dedicated processor and memory, rather than sharing system resources It is always physically smaller It never needs a driver It uses less electricity in every case
Check answer Question 2
What sets a hard ceiling on how fast data can move between components, regardless of individual component speed?
The speed and width of the buses connecting them The colour of the case The brand of the power supply The operating system version
Check answer Question 3
What is a co-processor?
A dedicated secondary processor that handles specific tasks, freeing up the main CPU A backup CPU that only activates if the main one fails A type of RAM A network security device
Check answer Question 4
Which co-processor specifically handles rendering images/video, especially valuable for 3D graphics and video editing?
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Maths/floating-point co-processor CU (Control Unit) ALU
Check answer Question 5
Increasing L1/L2/L3 cache size mainly helps performance by:
Reducing how often the CPU must wait on slower RAM (reducing latency) Increasing the CPU's physical size Making the power supply more efficient Reducing network latency
Check answer Question 6
Why does increasing RAM speed/size improve overall system performance?
It reduces reliance on slow virtual memory/paging, letting more programs run smoothly It permanently increases the CPU's clock speed It replaces the need for any secondary storage It automatically upgrades the graphics card
Check answer Question 7
A video editor's system is slow when exporting 4K footage. What is the BEST first step, according to good exam technique?
Diagnose the actual bottleneck before recommending an upgrade Immediately recommend buying the most expensive CPU available Recommend deleting all files on the computer Assume it's always a graphics card problem
Check answer Question 8
For a scenario describing a graphic designer needing portability for client visits, which hardware recommendation is best justified?
A laptop, because portability is explicitly required by the scenario A desktop, because desktops are always faster A smartphone only, because it is the most portable device A server, because designers need reliability
Check answer Question 9
Why do mobile devices generally have less powerful chips than desktop equivalents?
To manage heat and power draw within a smaller, battery-powered form factor Mobile chips are actually always more powerful than desktop CPUs Manufacturers cannot make mobile chips faster for any reason Mobile devices don't need any processing power
Check answer Question 10
What is the key trade-off for battery life in a mobile device recommendation?
More powerful components generally drain the battery faster Battery life is unrelated to component power Bigger batteries always make a device slower Battery life only depends on screen brightness
Check answer Question 11
Why must every hardware recommendation be tied back to the scenario, according to good exam technique?
Markers award marks for the justification, not just naming the correct component Because component names alone are worth double marks Because scenarios never actually matter for hardware questions Because only RAM recommendations require justification
Check answer Question 12
What is a maths/floating-point co-processor used for?
Handling complex numerical calculations, freeing the CPU for general instructions Rendering 3D graphics only Managing network traffic Storing frequently used files
Check answer Question 13
Increasing register size (e.g. from 32-bit to 64-bit) affects which other components?
The width of the data and address buses it's paired with Only the monitor resolution Only the network card speed Nothing else in the system
Check answer Question 14
Clock multiplication / overclocking a component comes at what cost?
More heat and reduced long-term reliability No downsides whatsoever Reduced RAM capacity Automatic loss of warranty on all components
Check answer Question 15
For a business recommending a complete computer-based solution, what should be considered besides raw performance?
Budget, scale, and expected growth Only the brand of the monitor Only the colour of the case Nothing else — performance is the only factor
Check answer Question 16 — Match the columns
Match each technique for improving processor speed in Column A to how it helps in Column B.
Column A Column B 1. Hyper-threading & multi-processing Select… A. Runs a component faster than rated, at the cost of heat/reliability B. Can process more data per instruction and address more memory C. Lets the CPU handle more instruction streams concurrently D. Reduces how often the CPU waits on slower RAM 2. Increasing cache size Select… A. Runs a component faster than rated, at the cost of heat/reliability B. Can process more data per instruction and address more memory C. Lets the CPU handle more instruction streams concurrently D. Reduces how often the CPU waits on slower RAM 3. Increasing register size Select… A. Runs a component faster than rated, at the cost of heat/reliability B. Can process more data per instruction and address more memory C. Lets the CPU handle more instruction streams concurrently D. Reduces how often the CPU waits on slower RAM 4. Clock multiplication / overclocking Select… A. Runs a component faster than rated, at the cost of heat/reliability B. Can process more data per instruction and address more memory C. Lets the CPU handle more instruction streams concurrently D. Reduces how often the CPU waits on slower RAM
Check answer Question 17 — Match the columns
Match each mobile hardware constraint in Column A to its trade-off in Column B.
Column A Column B 1. Battery life Select… A. Always-on connectivity (Wi-Fi, GPS, mobile data) further drains the battery B. Smaller devices have less room for cooling or bigger batteries C. More powerful components drain the battery faster D. Mobile chips are generally less powerful to manage heat/power draw 2. Size Select… A. Always-on connectivity (Wi-Fi, GPS, mobile data) further drains the battery B. Smaller devices have less room for cooling or bigger batteries C. More powerful components drain the battery faster D. Mobile chips are generally less powerful to manage heat/power draw 3. Computing power Select… A. Always-on connectivity (Wi-Fi, GPS, mobile data) further drains the battery B. Smaller devices have less room for cooling or bigger batteries C. More powerful components drain the battery faster D. Mobile chips are generally less powerful to manage heat/power draw 4. Power consumption Select… A. Always-on connectivity (Wi-Fi, GPS, mobile data) further drains the battery B. Smaller devices have less room for cooling or bigger batteries C. More powerful components drain the battery faster D. Mobile chips are generally less powerful to manage heat/power draw
Check answer Question 18
What is a co-processor's main benefit to the main CPU?
It frees the CPU to handle other, general instructions It replaces the CPU entirely It only works when the CPU is turned off It increases the CPU's clock speed directly
Check answer Question 19
Which upgrade would specifically benefit a video-editing workflow that constantly reads/writes large files?
A faster SSD A louder speaker system A larger monitor bezel A slower but cheaper HDD
Check answer Question 20
Why is 'just buy a faster CPU' often a weak recommendation for a slow system?
The CPU may not actually be the bottleneck — the real cause could be RAM, storage, or another component CPUs cannot be upgraded Faster CPUs are illegal in some countries It is always the correct and only answer
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