Expansion Cards & Interfaces

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) • Domain 3.0 Hardware

Key Concepts: Graphics Cards Sound Cards Network Cards Capture Cards Video Interfaces

Graphics Cards (GPUs)

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) handle visual rendering, video output, and parallel computing tasks. They can be integrated (in CPU) or discrete (separate card).

Integrated Graphics

Built into CPU (Intel UHD, AMD Radeon)
Uses system RAM (shared memory)
Lower power consumption
Good for basic tasks, office work
No separate purchase needed

Discrete Graphics

Separate PCIe card (NVIDIA, AMD)
Dedicated VRAM (GDDR6/GDDR6X)
Higher power & cooling needs
Gaming, 3D rendering, video editing
Requires PCIe x16 slot + power connectors

GPU Power Requirements: Modern GPUs need 6-pin, 8-pin, or 12VHPWR connectors. High-end cards may require 300-450W!

Video Output Interfaces

Interface	Max Resolution	Audio	Features
HDMI 2.1	10K @ 120Hz, 4K @ 240Hz	Yes	VRR, ALLM, eARC
DisplayPort 2.1	16K @ 60Hz, 4K @ 240Hz	Yes	Daisy-chain, highest bandwidth
DVI-D	2560×1600 @ 60Hz	No	Digital only, dual-link
VGA (D-Sub)	2048×1536 @ 85Hz	No	Analog, legacy (15-pin)
Thunderbolt 4	8K @ 60Hz (via USB-C)	Yes	40Gbps, power delivery, daisy-chain

A+ Exam Tip: Know that HDMI and DisplayPort carry both video AND audio, while VGA and DVI (without HDMI adapter) are video-only.

Sound Cards

Sound cards process audio input/output. Most motherboards have integrated audio, but discrete cards offer better quality for audiophiles and professionals.

Audio Connectors (Color Coded)

Green
Line Out / Speakers
Front stereo output

Pink
Microphone In
Mic input (mono)

Blue
Line In
External audio input

Orange
Center/Subwoofer
5.1/7.1 surround

Black
Rear Speakers
Surround sound

Gray/Silver
Side Speakers
7.1 surround

Network Interface Cards (NICs)

Wired NICs

Speed	Standard
100 Mbps	Fast Ethernet
1 Gbps	Gigabit Ethernet
2.5 Gbps	2.5GbE
10 Gbps	10GbE

Uses RJ-45 connector

Wireless NICs

Standard	Max Speed
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)	3.5 Gbps
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	9.6 Gbps
Wi-Fi 6E	9.6 Gbps (6GHz)
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	46 Gbps

PCIe card or M.2 module

Capture Cards

Capture cards record or stream video from external sources (game consoles, cameras, other PCs) to your computer.

          Internal (PCIe)

          Installed in PCIe slot

          Lower latency, no USB bandwidth issues

          External (USB)

          Portable, plug-and-play

          Works with laptops, easier setup

Common Uses: Game streaming, video production, security DVR integration

Other Expansion Cards

RAID Controller

Hardware RAID management

Better than software RAID

USB Expansion

Add more USB ports

USB 3.0/3.1/Type-C

Bluetooth/WiFi Combo

Wireless connectivity

M.2 or PCIe x1

Thunderbolt Card

Add Thunderbolt ports

High-speed connectivity

TV Tuner

Watch/record TV

OTA or cable signals

SATA Controller

Add more SATA ports

For additional drives

Installation Best Practices

Before Installing:

Power off PC and unplug from wall
Ground yourself (ESD wrist strap or touch case)
Check for compatible slot (PCIe x1/x4/x16)
Verify power supply has required connectors
Remove slot cover from case

After Installing:

Secure card with screw to case
Connect any required power cables
Boot and install drivers
Configure in OS or BIOS if needed

Knowledge Check

Q1: Which video interface supports the highest bandwidth and allows daisy-chaining multiple monitors?

Q2: What color is the standard line-out (speakers) audio jack?

Q3: What type of graphics uses dedicated VRAM on a separate card?

Q4: Which WiFi standard operates on the 6GHz band?