CompTIA A+ Practice Test (220-1101)
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CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Information
CompTIA A+ Certification Overview
Exam Versions
The current versions of the CompTIA A+ certification exams are:
- 220-1101 (Core 1)
- 220-1102 (Core 2)
These versions were launched in April 2022 and are expected to retire approximately three years from their release date.
The A+ Certification Test
To earn the CompTIA A+ certification, candidates must pass two separate exams: 220-1101 and 220-1102. Each exam has a separate fee and can be taken in any order. Both exams must be completed before the retirement date and must be from the same set of objectives. The certification is valid for three years from the date of passing the exams.
Exam Details:
- Format: Computer-based tests
- Number of Questions: 90 questions per exam
- Time Limit: 90 minutes per exam
- Result Availability: Immediately after completion, following a short mandatory survey
CompTIA A+ 220-1101
The CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) exam is a key component of the A+ certification, designed to validate essential IT skills and knowledge. This exam, launched in April 2022, covers a broad range of topics critical for IT professionals, including mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and network troubleshooting. Comprising 90 questions, the test includes multiple-choice and performance-based questions, simulating real-world scenarios to assess the candidate's practical abilities. The 220-1101 exam emphasizes the foundational skills necessary for IT support roles, ensuring that certified individuals are equipped to handle a variety of technical issues. With a 90-minute time limit, the exam challenges candidates to demonstrate their proficiency efficiently, providing immediate results upon completion. The certification remains valid for three years, making it a crucial step for those aiming to establish or advance their careers in IT.
Exam Policies and Procedures
Candidates must agree to CompTIA's exam policies before starting the test. These policies include:
- No Mobile Phones/Devices: Must be left outside the exam room
- Question Review: Candidates can revisit and change answers before submitting the exam
- Submission: Unanswered questions are marked, and a final review is available before submission
Testing Centers
Since July 9, 2012, CompTIA exams are available exclusively through Pearson VUE testing centers. Candidates can book exams online, by phone, or at the testing center. Options include:
- In-Person Testing: At Pearson VUE testing centers
- Online Testing: Through Pearson VUE's online platform
Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)
The A+ exams include Performance-Based Questions (PBQs), which require candidates to perform specific tasks or solve problems in a simulated environment. These questions test real-world skills in areas like command prompts, Windows OS, and networking environments.
Continuing Education (CE) Program
Certifications with the +CE (Continuing Education) suffix, including A+, Network+, and Security+, must be renewed every three years. Renewal options include:
- Retaking the Exam: Passing the latest version of the exam
- Higher-Level Certification: Passing a higher-level CompTIA exam
- CE Program Requirements: Completing CE activities
Lifetime Certifications
Certifications earned on or before December 31, 2010, are valid for life. However, lifetime certifications are no longer available for new candidates.
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Free CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Practice Test
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- Questions: 15
- Time: Unlimited
- Included Topics:Mobile DevicesNetworkingHardwareVirtualization and Cloud ComputingHardware and Network Troubleshooting
An engineer is configuring an office workspace that includes a variety of devices, including keyboards, mice, printers, and smartphones. The engineer is assessing the power distribution through the USB hub to ensure all devices function correctly without an external power source. What is the maximum power output per port that the engineer should expect from a USB 2.0 hub, assuming each port of the hub might be used to its fullest capacity?
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100 mA
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500 mA
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900 mA
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1 A
Answer Description
According to USB 2.0 specifications, each port can deliver up to 500 mA of current. Neither 900 mA nor 1 A is a correct value for USB 2.0, as these values are associated with later USB specifications such as USB 3.0 and above, which have a greater power output capacity. A value of 100 mA is a minimum power output that can be expected for operations but does not represent the maximum power output capability for a single port, as devices operating on USB 2.0 might demand more power. Hence, the maximum expected power output is indeed 500 mA per port for USB 2.0.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What are the differences between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 in terms of power delivery?
What types of devices require more power than 500 mA when connected via USB?
Are there any safety concerns when using a USB hub that draws the maximum power output consistently?
A client has requested an enhancement of their video rendering workstation. Upon checking compatibility with the current hardware, you decide to proceed with an upgrade of the memory module. Given the need for superior bandwidth and efficiency due to the workstation's demanding processing requirements, which type of memory module is best suited to maximize performance in accordance with the latest industry standards?
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Adjusting the system's paging file size
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Double Data Rate 5 modules
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Double Data Rate 4 modules
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Adding more Double Data Rate 3 modules to the existing configuration
Answer Description
The most recent upgrade in memory technology from preceding models like DDR4 is the installation of DDR5. DDR5 provides advanced data transmission rates and increased power efficiency, making it the optimal choice for processor-intensive activities such as video rendering. DDR3, although still in use, and DDR4 do not provide comparable performance levels to DDR5. Also, modification of Virtual RAM settings is a software-level optimization which does not equate to the benefits yielded by upgrading to a faster physical memory module.
Ask Bash
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What are the key advantages of DDR5 over DDR4?
What is the significance of bandwidth in memory modules?
How does memory type impact overall workstation performance?
During the setup of a new office environment, a network administrator wants to verify whether the onboard NICs of several desktop computers are capable of sending and receiving data before connecting them to the switch. Which tool can the administrator use to directly test the functionality of the NICs without involving networking infrastructure?
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Loopback plug
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Punchdown tool
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Wi-Fi analyzer software
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Onboard automated diagnostic
Answer Description
To test the transmit and receive capabilities of the NICs directly within each system, a loopback plug is the correct tool. When inserted into an Ethernet port, the loopback plug redirects the outgoing signals back into the receiving circuits of the same port. This ensures that the NIC is operational and can handle data transmission. Using software like a Wi-Fi analyzer is inappropriate since it's used to survey wireless networks, not test NICs. Automated diagnostic software on the computer may report on the perceived status of the NIC, but does not complete a physical layer test for sending and receiving as the loopback plug would do. Lastly, Punchdown tools are utilized for inserting wire into terminal blocks on patch panels or keystone jacks and are unrelated to direct port testing.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What exactly is a loopback plug and how does it work?
What other methods can be used to test a NIC's functionality?
Why are the other options like Wi-Fi analyzer or automated diagnostics not suitable?
A technician is troubleshooting a company-owned smartphone that is experiencing poor connectivity issues when team members travel outside of their home office region. The device is on a CDMA network. To address the issue, the technician decides to ensure the device has the latest information for connecting to towers from multiple carriers. Which of the following actions should the technician take?
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Reset the network settings to factory defaults.
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Manually select a preferred network from the device's network settings.
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Update the Preferred Roaming List (PRL) on the device.
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Ensure the device's operating system is up to date with the latest carrier OEM version.
Answer Description
Updating the Preferred Roaming List (PRL) will provide the device with the most current list of carriers and towers that it can connect to when roaming. This can improve connectivity when traveling outside the home region. Manually selecting a network or resetting the network settings does not ensure that the PRL is updated. Updating the operating system is important for security and functionality but does not directly address the roaming list used by CDMA networks.
Ask Bash
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What is a Preferred Roaming List (PRL)?
How does CDMA technology differ from other mobile technologies?
Why is it important to keep a smartphone's operating system updated?
An enterprise is considering a cloud service that should seamlessly integrate with their on-premise data center. They require a solution that allows them to quickly scale computing resources to manage large, temporary workloads during peak periods. Which characteristic of cloud computing is MOST essential to meet their requirements?
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File synchronization
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High availability
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Rapid elasticity
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Metered utilization
Answer Description
Rapid elasticity is the most essential characteristic in this scenario, as it enables the enterprise to scale computing resources quickly and on-demand to handle large workloads during peak periods. This ensures that they can meet the increased demand without permanent investment in infrastructure. Metered utilization is a billing model but does not specifically address scalability. While high availability is important, it does not pertain to the scaling of resources. File synchronization is more related to data accessibility and availability across devices rather than scalability and integration with an on-premise data center.
Ask Bash
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What does rapid elasticity mean in cloud computing?
How does rapid elasticity compare to traditional IT infrastructure?
Are there any limitations to rapid elasticity in cloud computing?
A technician is refurbishing an older workstation which contains a motherboard with only legacy storage interface ports. In the storage archive, the technician identifies an array of newer storage devices, none of which directly match the motherboard's available connectors. What solution should the technician employ to integrate a new storage device into the system utilizing the available ports on the motherboard?
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Adjust the setting on the new storage devices to align with the communication protocols used by the legacy ports.
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Procure a bridge adapter capable of converting from the legacy connection standard of the motherboard to the modern interface of the drives.
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Purchasing a new workstation or motherboard with more modern connections is necessary.
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Perform a firmware upgrade on the older motherboard to natively accept the recent standard of the storage devices.
Answer Description
An adapter that bridges the connectivity between the current interface standard of the storage devices and the legacy interface available on the motherboard must be used. Since the new storage devices follow a different, more recent standard and the computer is equipped with a different, earlier specification, an adapter is needed to make the two compatible. The incorrect options suggest either using a direct substitute of cables, which does not address interface incompatibility, altering device configuration that is unrelated to interconnection, or a BIOS update which could not add absence physical connectivity.
Ask Bash
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What types of bridge adapters are available for legacy storage interfaces?
How do I determine compatibility between the adapter and my storage device?
What are some potential issues to watch for when using bridge adapters?
A user complains that the sound from their monitor's built-in speakers is not working, but the display is showing the image correctly. After verifying that the monitor is not muted and the volume is turned up, what should be the NEXT step in troubleshooting this issue?
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Replace the monitor's speakers
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Check the audio output settings on the computer
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Update the graphics card driver
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Verify the HDMI cable supports audio
Answer Description
The correct answer is 'Check the audio output settings on the computer', because if the speakers themselves are functioning correctly and the issue is not related to volume control, it's important to verify that the computer is configured to send audio to the correct output device. Sometimes, the computer's audio settings might have been changed inadvertently, causing it to send audio to a different device instead of the monitor's built-in speakers.
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What are audio output settings?
What common reasons can cause audio output settings to change?
How can I verify if the HDMI cable supports audio?
A user receives the following message when they log in "Windows has detected an IP address conflict". What is MOST LIKELY the issue?
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Duplicate DNS assignment
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The user is logged in on another workstation
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The workstation has a static IP address
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The workstation has changed Wireless Access Points (WAP)
Answer Description
Windows will show this alert when it detects its assigned IP is being used somewhere else on the network. This can happen when a static IP is assigned and it conflicts with a DHCP server or when two workstations are given the same static IP.
Ask Bash
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What is a static IP address?
What is a DHCP server and how does it work?
What are the consequences of an IP address conflict?
After receiving reports of sluggish system performance and occasional crashes on a particular office computer, you decide to investigate. You have confirmed that these issues have started occurring after the user recently installed new software which significantly increased the system's workload. What's the NEXT step to determine the issue?
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Verify if any recent system or driver updates were installed that may be incompatible with the current system configuration and causing the slowdown.
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Run antivirus scan to check if the system has been infected with malware, which might be causing reduced performance and instability.
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Inspect the internal hardware components such as the motherboard and processor for any signs of damage that might be causing the crashes.
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Monitor the CPU and RAM usage through the operating system's performance monitoring tool to observe if the system's resources are overutilized when the software is running.
Answer Description
Observing CPU and RAM usage in Task Manager or a similar application helps in understanding whether the recent software installation is placing an excessive load on the system resources, leading to performance issues and potential crashes. This aligns with the hypothesis and offers a straightforward way to validate it. While verifying recent updates or checking for malware are sensible steps, they do not directly correlate with the recent change mentioned by the user. The symptoms described don't necessarily point towards a hardware failure, making the option of inspecting internal components less relevant as a next logical step.
Ask Bash
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What tools can I use to monitor CPU and RAM usage?
What are the signs of overutilization of CPU and RAM?
What should I do if I find that the CPU or RAM is being overutilized?
A user is setting up a home office and requires both a high-quality video and audio connection from their new desktop computer to the 4K monitor and sound system. Considering their need for a single cable solution to handle both high-resolution video and audio, which of the following connector types should you recommend for this scenario?
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Video Graphics Array (VGA)
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Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
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High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Answer Description
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the correct answer as it supports both high-definition video and audio through a single cable, which is what the user requires for a 4K monitor and sound system setup. DisplayPort similarly supports high-resolution video and audio, but it was not listed as an option. Video Graphics Array (VGA) does not support audio and also lacks support for high-resolution displays typically associated with 4K monitors. Digital Visual Interface (DVI) typically does not carry an audio signal and wouldn't be suitable for this user's 'single cable' requirement.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What makes HDMI a better choice for video and audio compared to VGA and DVI?
Are there any advantages to using DisplayPort over HDMI for a high-quality setup?
What types of devices commonly use HDMI connections?
During the operation of a 3-D printer, a technician notices that the first few layers of the print are well-formed, but subsequent layers are misaligned and the print quality deteriorates as height increases. What is most likely causing this degradation in print quality?
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Insufficient cooling or improper fan operation
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Z-axis stepper motor issues or a dirty/damaged lead screw
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The printer needs re-calibration of the print bed
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Blocked nozzle affecting the filament extrusion process
Answer Description
This issue is indicative of a problem with the printer's Z-axis movement, which controls the vertical positioning of the print head or print bed. If the Z-axis stepper motor is malfunctioning or the lead screw is dirty or damaged, it can cause layer misalignment as the print job progresses in height. Calibration issues would affect the print from the beginning and not partway through, and insufficient cooling usually results in warping or print defects that are not specific to layer misalignment. A blocked nozzle would typically result in no extrusion or inconsistent extrusion right from the bottom layers.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What is a Z-axis stepper motor and how does it work in a 3-D printer?
What is a lead screw and why is it important for print quality?
How can a technician identify issues with the Z-axis movement while troubleshooting prints?
A technician is troubleshooting a laptop issue where the built-in webcam fails to work only during video conferencing calls. The webcam works correctly when tested with the camera app. Which of the following actions should the technician take FIRST to resolve the issue?
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Verify the privacy settings for the video conferencing application and ensure it has permission to access the webcam.
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Check for and install any available BIOS/UEFI updates on the laptop.
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Replace the webcam with a new one as it may be malfunctioning.
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Reinstall all the system drivers to ensure they are up to date.
Answer Description
Given that the webcam works with the camera app, it's less likely a hardware issue or a general driver problem. The correct answer is to verify privacy settings for the video conferencing application, as these settings could be configured to block camera access. Checking for BIOS/UEFI updates is less likely to resolve the issue, given that the webcam does function correctly in another context. Replacing the webcam is an unnecessary step at this point because the hardware works with the camera app, indicating it is functioning. Reinstalling all system drivers is too broad an action for this specific application issue; targeted troubleshooting should be performed first to identify and resolve the problem efficiently.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What are privacy settings and why do they matter for applications?
What are BIOS/UEFI updates and how can they affect hardware?
What is the difference between a hardware issue and a software issue in troubleshooting?
Why would developers most likely use a virtual machine when conducting quality assurance activities for an in-house software application?
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To allow for using multiple operating systems on the same workstation at the same time.
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To provide an isolated environment that is replicable across different machines for consistent testing outcomes.
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To run legacy applications that are incompatible with current operating systems.
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To reduce the physical hardware resources the company needs to purchase for software testing.
Answer Description
Developers use virtual machines to create isolated environments that mimic different operating systems and configurations, allowing for consistent testing conditions without affecting the actual hardware or primary operating system. This isolation is key for managing dependencies, avoiding conflicts, and ensuring tests run in a controlled environment. Running legacy applications isn't the primary goal of test development, nor is saving hardware resources—a virtualized environment often requires significant resources. Accessing multiple operating systems simultaneously, while a benefit of virtualization, isn't specific to the test development process.
Ask Bash
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What are virtual machines and how do they work?
Why is isolation important in quality assurance?
What are the advantages of replicable testing environments?
As a network technician, you need to ensure that a specific network printer always receives the same network address so users don’t experience disruptions. Which configuration on the network's address distribution server is BEST to achieve this?
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Manually input the desired network details on the printer
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Increase the network address lease duration to the maximum available
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Create a binding for the printer's hardware identifier
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Expand the distribution server's assigning range to include the printer's current network address
Answer Description
Setting up a reservation on the server that assigns network addresses binds a particular address to the unique hardware identifier of the network printer, ensuring it is consistently associated with the printer whenever it connects to the network. Setting a long lease might keep the network settings unchanged for a longer period, but does not guarantee the printer will always receive the same network address. Adjusting the range of available network settings the server can assign doesn't provide a fixed address for the printer. Manually setting network details on the printer itself is an option but it would be better to create the static assignment centrally via an IP Reservation.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What is a hardware identifier?
What is the difference between a DHCP lease and a DHCP reservation?
What are the implications of a long DHCP lease duration?
A technician is looking to upgrade a computer system to improve its task handling capabilities, especially for applications that benefit from parallel processing. Which option would BEST accomplish this?
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Replace the existing processor with a higher clock speed single-core processor.
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Upgrade the processor to a multicore unit.
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Install additional RAM.
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Switch the operating system to one that supports multithreading.
Answer Description
A multicore processor would provide the advertised improvement by offering multiple processing units, called cores, within a single processor package. This allows the computer to perform various tasks simultaneously, thereby improving handling capabilities for multi-threaded applications. Single-core and multithreading options do not provide multiple physical cores and thus are less efficient in parallel task handling. Increasing RAM may improve overall system performance but doesn't directly improve the machine's parallel processing capability like adding more cores would.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What are multicore processors and how do they work?
What is the difference between multiprocessing and multithreading?
Why is increasing RAM insufficient for improving parallel processing capabilities?
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