Chapter 3 of 5 · CompTIA A+ 220-1201
Hardware
Displays, cables, memory, storage, RAID, motherboards, CPUs, firmware, power supplies and printers.
- 13topics
- 59 minfast track
- 2diagrams and exhibits
- 25%of the exam
Topics in this chapter
Take them in order, or jump to the one you need.
- 1Display Components and AttributesCompare LCD panel types (IPS, TN, VA) and OLED, and learn display attributes such as resolution, refresh rate, brightness…5 min
- 2Video and Peripheral CablesIdentify HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, USB, Thunderbolt, SATA, serial and Lightning cables and connectors, and know what each one…4 min
- 3Network Cables and ConnectorsCompare twisted pair Ethernet categories, coaxial cable, single mode and multimode fiber, and the RJ45, RJ11, F, LC, SC and ST…5 min
- 4RAM CharacteristicsCompare DDR3, DDR4 and DDR5 memory, DIMM and SODIMM sizes, ECC, buffered memory, channels, speed and latency, and know how to…4 min
- 5Storage DevicesCompare hard disk drives, solid state drives, NVMe and M.2, SATA, flash media and optical discs by speed, cost, capacity and…4 min
- 6RAID Levels and ArraysCompare RAID 0, 1, 5, 6 and 10 by speed, redundancy, minimum drives and usable capacity, and learn hardware versus software RAID…Diagram4 min
- 7Motherboards and Expansion CardsIdentify motherboard form factors, sockets, memory and PCIe slots, front panel and fan headers, and install add-on cards such as…5 min
- 8CPUs and CoolingUnderstand CPU sockets, cores and threads, x86, x64 and ARM, virtualization support, and how heat sinks, fans, paste and liquid…5 min
- 9BIOS and UEFI Firmware SettingsLearn what BIOS and UEFI firmware do, how POST and boot order work, and settings such as Secure Boot, TPM, passwords…4 min
- 10Power SuppliesChoose and install a power supply unit by wattage, connector types, modular cables, efficiency rating, input voltage and…5 min
- 11Printer Types and Printing ProcessCompare laser, inkjet, thermal, impact and 3D printers, follow the laser imaging process step by step, and know what…Diagram5 min
- 12Printer Deployment and SettingsInstall and share printers and multifunction devices, choose drivers and connections, set the network address, and configure…5 min
- 13Printer MaintenanceLearn routine care for laser, inkjet, thermal, impact and 3D printers, including toner and ink replacement, maintenance kits…4 min
About this chapter
What this chapter covers
Hardware is the part of A+ Core 1 that deals with the physical parts of desktops and printers. It covers displays, cables, memory, storage, the system board, the processor, power and printers.
It follows the third domain of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 outline. There are eight outline topics, and they are covered by thirteen pages.
How the topics fit together
The pages follow a build of a computer, then the devices around it.
- Motherboard, processor and firmware set what the computer can do.
- Memory and storage hold the programs and data, and a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) protects drives.
- The power supply feeds every part.
- Cables and displays link the computer to screens and other devices.
- Printers are the main peripheral with their own deployment and maintenance rules.
Hardware questions are often compatibility questions, so check sockets, memory generations, connectors and wattage before choosing a part.
How to use these pages
Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.
- What it is: the idea in plain words.
- How it works: the mechanism, with diagrams and tables.
- What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorise.
- Common mistakes: the classic traps.
- Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.
If you can, handle real parts: open an old computer, find the slots and connectors, and match each cable to its port. This makes the pictures in exam questions much easier to read.
Ready for more practice?
The full CompTIA A+ 220-1201 question bank has 856 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.
This study guide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by CompTIA. Vendor names, certification names and exam codes are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for identification only.