Test Your Knowledge Of Atx Power Supplies
An electronic switch typically controls an ATX power supply. Instead of a hard switch at the main power input, the power button on an ATX system is a sensor input monitored by the computer. What else do you know about Atx power supplies? Take up this quiz and test your knowledge.
- 1.
"Soft power" on ATX power supplies is designed to
- A.
Decrease noise in the +12V lines.
- B.
Enable software to electronically control the on/off switching of power.
- C.
Supply better filtered power for the P4 connector.
- D.
Prevent surges from damaging the motherboard.
- E.
Provide +3.3V and +5V to the AUX connector.
Correct Answer
B. Enable software to electronically control the on/off switching of power.Explanation
"Soft power" acts as an electronic power switch. Operating systems and other software are also capable of controlling the power supply via "soft power".Rate this question:
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- 2.
Standby power provides
- A.
+3.3V
- B.
-3.3V
- C.
+5V
- D.
-5V
- E.
+12V
Correct Answer
C. +5VExplanation
Standby power provides a voltage of +5V. Standby power is a low power mode that allows certain devices to remain partially powered even when they are not actively in use. The +5V voltage is commonly used to power small components such as standby lights, USB ports, or other low-power devices that need to remain operational even when the main power is turned off.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The purple wire is for
- A.
Standby
- B.
Power Good
- C.
+12V
- D.
Power on
- E.
+3.3V sense
Correct Answer
A. StandbyExplanation
The purple wire provides +5V Standby voltage.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The motherboard maintains power even while the computer is turned off.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The motherboard is kept constantly powered through a +5V standby voltage. This enables soft power functionality.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The purple wire is always
- A.
Powered
- B.
Off
Correct Answer
A. PoweredExplanation
The purple wire provides a constant +5V Standby voltage to the motherboard, even after the computer is turned off.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The "Power Good" wire is
- A.
Purple
- B.
Blue
- C.
Yellow
- D.
White
- E.
Gray
Correct Answer
E. GrayExplanation
The "Power Good" wire is gray.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Yellow wires provide
- A.
+5V
- B.
+3.3V
- C.
+12V
- D.
-12V
- E.
"Power Good" signals
Correct Answer
C. +12VExplanation
Yellow wires provide +12V power.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Orange wires provide
- A.
+3.3V sense
- B.
-3.3V sense
- C.
+3.3V
- D.
-3.3V
- E.
+5V
Correct Answer
C. +3.3VExplanation
The orange wires provide +3.3V voltage.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The brown wire is for
- A.
+5V standby
- B.
-5V
- C.
Ground
- D.
+3.3V sense
- E.
Power On
Correct Answer
D. +3.3V senseExplanation
The brown wire is used for the +3.3V sense. This means that it is responsible for sensing the voltage level of the +3.3V power supply. The +3.3V sense wire is typically used in computer power supplies to provide feedback on the actual voltage level of the +3.3V rail to the power supply controller. This allows the controller to make adjustments and ensure that the voltage remains stable and within the required range.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The blue wire provides
- A.
Power On
- B.
+5V standby
- C.
Power Good
- D.
+12V
- E.
-12V
Correct Answer
E. -12VExplanation
The blue wire provides a -12V power supply. This voltage is commonly used in electronic circuits for various purposes, such as powering certain components or providing a negative reference voltage. It is essential for the proper functioning of devices that require a balanced power supply with both positive and negative voltages.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Red wires provide
- A.
+3.3V
- B.
+5V
- C.
+5V standby
- D.
+12V
- E.
Power On
Correct Answer
B. +5VExplanation
Red wires provide a voltage of +5V.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Black wires are for
- A.
-12V
- B.
Ground
- C.
-5V
- D.
Power On
- E.
+3.3V sense
Correct Answer
B. GroundExplanation
Black wires are used for grounding purposes in electrical systems. Grounding is an essential safety measure that helps to prevent electrical shock and protect equipment from damage. By connecting the black wire to a grounding point, any excess electrical current is safely redirected into the ground. This helps to maintain a stable electrical circuit and reduce the risk of electrical hazards. Therefore, the black wire is commonly used for grounding purposes in various electrical applications.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The white wire is for
- A.
Ground
- B.
24VAC
- C.
+5V
- D.
+12V
- E.
-5V
Correct Answer
E. -5VExplanation
The white wire is optional.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The P1 connector on ATX12V 1.x power supplies has a total of ____ pins.
Correct Answer
20Explanation
The P1 connector on ATX12V 1.x power supplies has a total of 20 pins. This connector is used to provide power to the motherboard and is essential for the computer's operation. The 20 pins on the P1 connector are designed to fit into the corresponding 20-pin socket on the motherboard, ensuring a secure and reliable connection.Rate this question:
- 15.
The P1 connector on ATX12V 2.x power supplies has a total of ____ pins.
Correct Answer
24Explanation
The P1 connector on ATX12V 2.x power supplies has a total of 24 pins. This connector is used to provide power to the motherboard and is essential for the proper functioning of the computer. The 24 pins are designed to provide different voltages and signals to the various components on the motherboard, ensuring stable and reliable power delivery.Rate this question:
- 16.
The P4 connector was designed to provide
- A.
+12V to the case fan
- B.
+5V and +12V to PATA hard drives
- C.
+5V of standby power
- D.
+12V to the CPU
- E.
+5V and +12V to floppy drives
Correct Answer
D. +12V to the CPUExplanation
With the introduction of the ATX12V 1.0 standard, a four-pin connector called the P4 was added. The P4 plugs into a separate connector on the motherboard and provides direct power to CPU's like the Pentium 4.Rate this question:
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- 17.
PATA hard drives get power through _____ connectors
- A.
Four-pin
- B.
6-pin
- C.
AUX
- D.
P4
- E.
Molex
Correct Answer(s)
A. Four-pin
E. MolexExplanation
Molex connectors have four pins.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The red wire in a Molex connector provides
- A.
+5V
- B.
-5V
- C.
+12V
- D.
-12V
- E.
Ground
Correct Answer
A. +5VExplanation
The red wire in a Molex connector provides +5V. Molex connectors are commonly used in computer power supplies to provide power to various components. The +5V wire supplies a voltage of 5 volts, which is commonly used to power the motherboard, hard drives, and other peripherals. This voltage is essential for the proper functioning of these components.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The standard power connector for floppy drives is the four-pin ______ connector.
Correct Answer
miniExplanation
The correct answer is "mini" because the standard power connector for floppy drives is a four-pin mini connector. This connector is smaller in size compared to other power connectors and is specifically designed for use with floppy drives.Rate this question:
- 20.
Ernie decides to upgrade Bert's 250W power supply to a 1000W unit. The first thing Ernie should do is
- A.
Unplug the power cord
- B.
Consider the form factors of the power supply, motherboard, and case
- C.
Calculate the wattage requirements of the various system components
- D.
Test the surge suppressor
- E.
Test the power outlet
Correct Answer
B. Consider the form factors of the power supply, motherboard, and caseExplanation
Before upgrading the power supply, Ernie should consider the form factors of the power supply, motherboard, and case. This is important because different components may have different form factors, and they need to be compatible with each other in order to fit properly. By considering the form factors, Ernie can ensure that the new power supply will physically fit into the case and connect to the motherboard correctly. This step is crucial to ensure a successful and compatible upgrade.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Ernie picked up a brand new ATX12V 2.0 PSU to replace the one in Bert's system. What will happen when Ernie tries to plug the 6-pin AUX connector into the motherboard?
- A.
The motherboard will beep twice and refuse to boot
- B.
He'll find that it's impossible
- C.
The power supply will begin smoking, sending Bert into a panic
- D.
Nothing. Everything will work just fine.
Correct Answer
B. He'll find that it's impossibleExplanation
The ATX12V 2.0 standard eliminated the AUX connector.Rate this question:
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- 22.
The 6-pin AUX connector provides
- A.
+3.3V
- B.
+3.3V and +5V
- C.
+5V
- D.
+5V and +12V
- E.
+12V
Correct Answer
B. +3.3V and +5VExplanation
The 6-pin AUX connector provides both +3.3V and +5V power. This means that it supplies two different voltage levels, +3.3V and +5V, which can be used to power various components or devices that require these specific voltage levels.Rate this question:
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- 23.
ATX12V 1.x and 2.x P1 connectors are not compatible
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Although they have different numbers of pins (20 and 24), the ATX12V 2.x P1 connector is backward compatible with 1.x power supplies.Rate this question:
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- 24.
A 1000W PSU upgrade will burn out a system currently using a 300W PSU.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
A power supply will only provide as much power as is needed.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Ernie added a 3-drive RAID, new Blu-ray disc burner, TV tuner card, and top of the line video card to Bert's 200W system. The next day, Bert notices that his computer keeps shutting off while he's cataloging his paper clip collection in Excel. What is the first thing Ernie should suspect?
- A.
A defective power supply
- B.
There's a resource conflict
- C.
One of the hard drives is about to go bad
- D.
A brownout
- E.
The power supply wattage is not high enough to support all the newly added devices.
Correct Answer
E. The power supply wattage is not high enough to support all the newly added devices.Explanation
While all of these are possible, the low wattage of the existing PSU should be your biggest clue that the question is about wattage requirements.Rate this question:
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- 26.
The green wire is for
- A.
Power Good
- B.
Power On
- C.
Standby
- D.
Ground
- E.
+3.3V sense
Correct Answer
B. Power OnExplanation
The green wire is used for the "Power On" function. When this wire is connected to ground, it signals the power supply to turn on and start providing power to the system. This wire is typically connected to the power button on a computer or other electronic devices, allowing the user to easily turn the device on or off.Rate this question:
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- 27.
An ATX12V 2.0 P1 connector is required to provide voltage outputs of:
- A.
+3.3V
- B.
-3.3V
- C.
+5V
- D.
+12V
- E.
-12V
Correct Answer(s)
A. +3.3V
C. +5V
D. +12V
E. -12VExplanation
The ATX12V 2.0 P1 connector is required to provide voltage outputs of +3.3V, +5V, +12V, and -12V. This connector is commonly used in computer power supplies to supply power to various components such as the motherboard, CPU, and peripherals. The +3.3V and +5V outputs are used to power digital circuits, while the +12V output is used for powering devices such as hard drives and graphics cards. The -12V output is used for providing power to certain legacy components.Rate this question:
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- 28.
WATTS =
- A.
Volts x ohms
- B.
Volts / Ohms
- C.
Henries x Farads
- D.
Amps x Volts
- E.
(Volts - Amps) / Ohms
Correct Answer
D. Amps x VoltsExplanation
The correct answer is Amps x Volts. This is because Watts is a unit of power, and power is calculated by multiplying the current (in Amps) by the voltage (in Volts). Therefore, the correct formula to calculate Watts is Amps x Volts.Rate this question:
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- 29.
In one of the PC's of your client's network, the power supply fan makes strange noises and then stops working. You suspect a worn-out bearing. The best solution to this problem is
- A.
Disassemble the fan and replace the bearing
- B.
Replace the entire power supply
- C.
Repack the bearing with grease
- D.
Replace the fan
- E.
Send the unit back to the manufacturer for warranty service
Correct Answer
B. Replace the entire power supplyExplanation
Time is money. Get your client up and running again immediately with a field replaceable unit (FRU). It simply doesn't pay to replace parts within a PSU or attempt any sort of component-level repair.Rate this question:
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- 30.
Bert loves the new SATA raid that Ernie installed in his system, but several weeks later, the PSU goes bad. Ernie goes to the storage closet to get an FRU, but he finds several different types. Which power supply should he use?
- A.
ATX12V 1.0
- B.
ATX12V 1.2
- C.
ATX
- D.
ATX12V 2.0
- E.
AT
Correct Answer
D. ATX12V 2.0Explanation
ATX12V 2.0 and later power supplies are guaranteed by the standard to include SATA power connectors. They were optional on ATX12V 1.3 supplies, soRate this question:
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- 31.
SATA power connectors have ____ pins.
- A.
3
- B.
4
- C.
6
- D.
8
- E.
15
Correct Answer
E. 15Explanation
SATA power connectors have 15 pins.Rate this question:
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- 32.
In a standard power supply, a particular "rail" can carry
- A.
A single voltage
- B.
Up to three simultaneous voltages
- C.
-9V
- D.
The main P1 harness
- E.
The mounting screws
Correct Answer
A. A single voltageExplanation
A "rail" is a single voltage produced by the PSU. There are 3 rails in a standard power supply (3.3V, 5V, and 12V). Each rail carries a single positive voltage.Rate this question:
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- 33.
The PSU died on Ernie's Pentium 4 system. He replaces it with a spare ATX PSU he salvaged from an old Pentium II machine, but the system won't boot. The cause of the problem is most likely to be
- A.
The ATX power supply is incompatible
- B.
A bad pin in the P1 connector.
- C.
A burned out power supply
- D.
The P4 connector is plugged in backwards
- E.
The power supply wattage is too low
Correct Answer
A. The ATX power supply is incompatibleExplanation
Anything of Pentium II vintage would be using an original ATX supply which predates the ATX12V 1.0 standard. Original ATX power supplies do not have the P4 connector that is necessary to supply power to Pentium 4 CPUs.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jun 24, 2009Quiz Created by
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