Back to Hardware

Expansion Cards and Slots

5 minutes 5 Questions

Expansion cards and slots allow users to add functionality, improve performance, or upgrade existing hardware in a computer system. Expansion cards connect to the motherboard through slots, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI Express (PCIe), or Industry Standard Architecture (ISA).…

Test mode:
Start practice test
CompTIA A+ - Expansion Cards and Slots Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Expansion Cards and Slots

Question 1

Which type of expansion slots are used to connect external devices such as USB and Ethernet before the current standard?

Correct Answer: PCI

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) was a commonly used expansion slot for adding functionality such as USB and Ethernet ports before the current standard (PCIe) became popular. AGP, ISA, VESA, and EISA slots are older and not commonly used for these purposes.

Question 2

Which expansion slot type is commonly used for high-performance graphics cards and offers the fastest data transfer rates?

Correct Answer: PCI Express x16

PCI Express x16 is the correct answer for high-performance graphics cards and fastest data transfer rates. PCI Express x16 is the current standard for high-performance graphics cards due to its superior bandwidth and speed. It offers 16 lanes for data transfer, providing the highest throughput among consumer-grade expansion slots. AGP 8x is an older technology that has been phased out and replaced by PCI Express. It's no longer used in modern systems. PCI Express x1 is a smaller version of PCIe, with only one lane. While it's used for some expansion cards, it doesn't provide enough bandwidth for high-performance graphics cards. PCI-X is an older standard primarily used in servers. It's not commonly found in consumer systems and doesn't offer the same level of performance as PCIe for graphics cards.

Question 3

Which expansion card technology is designed for low-profile cards and is commonly used in small form factor computers?

Correct Answer: PCIe x1

PCIe x1 is the best answer for expansion card technology designed for low-profile cards and commonly used in small form factor computers. PCIe x1 (PCI Express x1) is a compact version of the PCI Express standard, featuring a single lane for data transfer. Its small size makes it ideal for low-profile cards and small form factor computers where space is limited. The other options are not as suitable: AGP 8x is an older graphics card standard that has been largely replaced by PCIe. It is not commonly used in modern small form factor computers. PCI-X 266 is an extended version of the PCI standard, primarily used in servers and workstations. It is not typically found in small form factor computers. PCIe x16 is designed for high-performance graphics cards and other devices that require more bandwidth. While it can be used in some small form factor computers, it is generally larger and not as common as PCIe x1 for low-profile cards in space-constrained systems.

More Expansion Cards and Slots questions
15 questions (total)
Start 15 question test