NAME: Ron Ace Jarantilla COURSE/SECTION: BSIT – 102I

SUBJECT: Fundamental of IT – ITC 103

WW2: Midterms Assignment #1 – M3U1

1. What type of component provides persistent storage?

 Mass storage devices, such as a hard disk drive, solid state drive, or flash memory.
Also, optical discs (CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray)
2. What computer component is most restrictive in terms of determining upgrade potential
for a desktop computer?
 The motherboard (or system board) determines the computer’s potential for
upgrades. If a component is not compatible with the motherboard, it cannot be
installed. Typically, a component would not work with the motherboard if it does not
physically fit in the available sockets or if it is too new to communicate with the
motherboard’s chipset.
3. True or false? A plug-in card is always required to support PC sound.
 False. In most cases, computers include an audio or sound “card” as part of the
chipset (embedded into the motherboard). However, an expansion card may be
installed as an upgrade to create better quality recordings or to support surround
sound.
4. What is the main advantage of using a CPU in 64-bit mode?
 The primary advantage of a CPU in 64-bit mode is the capacity to utilize more
system memory. Bear in mind that 32-bit systems can only address up to 4 GB of
memory, whereas 64-bit systems can address as much as 256 Terabytes. Likewise,
a 64-bit CPU can operate both 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems, but 32-bit CPU
cannot run 64-bit software.
5. What is a typical speed for a modern CPU to run at?
 Roughly 2 Gigahertz; however, budget models could run as low as 1 GHz, whereas
the fastest run up to around 3 GHz.
6. You want to purchase a computer with a fast graphics interface. What type of expansion
slot should you look for?
 PCle x16 – this is a PCI express which has 16 ‘lanes’ and each lane can transmit
250 MBps (or 500 MBps for PCle 2 and 1 GBps for v3).
7. What type of component provides a passive cooling solution?
 The heatsink is a component that provides passive cooling solution. It does not
necessitate additional energy (electricity) to function. But, it demands adequate
airflow around the PC for it to function effectively. Besides, it is generally required to
cool the heatsink or heat spreader itself, which may necessitate active cooling (a
fan).
8. How would you access the system setup program on a PC?
 The system setup program can usually be accessed by pressing a keystroke during
the power-on (boot) process. However, the key combination used might differ from
system to system; examples include ESC, DEL, F1, F2, or F10. Meanwhile, the
setup program can be accessed by following the guidelines inside the PC’s manual;
commonly, when you turn on your computer, a message containing the required key
is showcased.