Core 1: Hardware
40 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 40 free CompTIA A+ practice questions on Core 1: Hardware, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Core 1: Hardware: example questions & answers
Here are 6 example questions from this topic. Practise the full set of 40 free in the browser.
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Which RAM type is used in modern laptops in a smaller physical form factor?
- A DIMM
- B SODIMM ✓
- C RIMM
- D SIMM
Answer: SODIMM (Small Outline DIMM) is the compact memory form factor used in laptops.
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Which characteristic distinguishes ECC RAM from standard RAM?
- A Faster clock speed
- B Detects and corrects memory errors ✓
- C Lower power use
- D Smaller size
Answer: ECC (Error-Correcting Code) RAM detects and corrects single-bit memory errors, common in servers.
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Which storage interface offers the fastest performance for SSDs?
- A SATA III
- B NVMe (PCIe) ✓
- C IDE
- D USB 2.0
Answer: NVMe SSDs use the PCIe bus and far exceed SATA III's ~600 MB/s limit.
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What is the maximum theoretical throughput of SATA III?
- A 1.5 Gbps
- B 3 Gbps
- C 6 Gbps ✓
- D 16 Gbps
Answer: SATA III (SATA 3.0) provides up to 6 Gbps (about 600 MB/s after overhead).
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Which connector delivers power to the CPU on a modern motherboard?
- A 24-pin ATX
- B 4/8-pin EPS (CPU power) ✓
- C Molex
- D SATA power
Answer: The 4-pin or 8-pin EPS connector supplies dedicated power to the CPU.
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Which expansion slot is used by modern graphics cards?
- A PCIe x16 ✓
- B PCI
- C AGP
- D PCIe x1
Answer: Modern GPUs use PCIe x16 slots for maximum bandwidth.