FC0-U71 Tech Concepts and Terminology Practice Question
A technician is evaluating the CPU specifications of two computers. Which THREE factors directly affect the CPU's performance? (Select THREE.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is including RAM as a CPU performance factor because it's commonly associated with 'speed' — but the question asks specifically about CPU specifications, not overall system performance.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Number of cores
The number of cores (A) directly affects CPU performance because more cores allow the processor to execute multiple threads or processes simultaneously, improving throughput in multi-threaded workloads. Clock speed (C), measured in GHz, determines how many cycles the CPU can execute per second, so a higher clock speed generally means faster single-threaded execution. Cache size (E), including L1, L2, and L3 levels, directly impacts performance by reducing memory latency; larger caches keep frequently used data closer to the CPU cores, avoiding slower trips to RAM. The amount of RAM installed (B) affects overall system performance and multitasking but is a separate memory subsystem, not a CPU specification. Power supply wattage (D) only determines whether the system can deliver enough power to components and does not directly influence CPU processing capability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Number of cores
Why this is correct
More cores let the CPU execute additional instruction threads concurrently, raising throughput for parallelisable workloads. Core count is a primary hardware determinant of processing capability, directly affecting overall CPU performance alongside clock speed and cache size.
- ✗
Amount of RAM installed
Why it's wrong here
RAM capacity affects multitasking, not CPU speed.
- ✓
Clock speed (GHz)
Why this is correct
Clock speed, measured in gigahertz, sets how many cycles the CPU completes each second, so a higher figure lets the processor execute more instructions per unit time. It is a direct performance determinant, unlike peripheral or storage specifications that leave processing throughput unchanged.
- ✗
Power supply wattage
Why it's wrong here
Wattage determines whether the PSU can supply enough power to all components, but it does not alter the CPU's clock speed, core count or cache. A higher-wattage unit supports additional or hungrier hardware; it is irrelevant to the processor's instruction throughput.
- ✓
Cache size (L1/L2/L3)
Why this is correct
On-die cache holds frequently used instructions and data close to the cores, so larger L1/L2/L3 capacity reduces latency to main memory. That directly raises processing throughput, satisfying the stem's requirement for a factor affecting CPU performance.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which of the following best describes the function of a CPU cache?
medium- A.It connects the CPU to the motherboard.
- ✓ B.It provides temporary storage for data the CPU needs quickly.
- C.It stores the operating system permanently.
- D.It performs arithmetic calculations.
Why B: CPU cache is a small, high-speed memory area that stores frequently used data and instructions so the processor can access them faster than fetching from RAM. It sits between the CPU and main memory to reduce latency. This is why cache size and hierarchy significantly affect performance.
Variation 2. A user is selecting a new computer and sees that the CPU has a clock speed of 3.6 GHz and four cores. What does the clock speed of 3.6 GHz indicate?
medium- A.The number of instructions per cycle
- ✓ B.The number of billions of cycles per second
- C.The power consumption of the CPU
- D.The amount of cache memory available
Why B: Clock speed (GHz) indicates how many billions of cycles per second the CPU can execute. It does not directly indicate cache size, core count, or power consumption.
Variation 3. A user notices their computer is running slowly and has many applications open. Which TWO hardware components are most likely to impact the speed at which multiple applications can run simultaneously? (Select TWO).
medium- A.SSD vs HDD
- ✓ B.Amount of RAM
- C.Hard drive capacity
- D.GPU memory
- ✓ E.CPU speed and cores
Why B: Option B (Amount of RAM) is correct because running many applications simultaneously requires enough physical memory to hold each process's working set; when RAM is exhausted, Windows pages data to disk via the pagefile, causing severe slowdowns, so more RAM directly allows more concurrent applications to stay resident in memory. Option E (CPU speed and cores) is correct because the processor executes the instructions for all running applications, and more cores plus higher clock speed let the CPU schedule and execute multiple threads/processes in parallel rather than time-slicing a single core, which is exactly what determines multitasking throughput. Option A (SSD vs HDD) affects storage read/write latency and boot or load times, but it is not the primary factor for keeping many already-running applications responsive. Option C (Hard drive capacity) only concerns how much data can be stored, not how fast multiple apps run. Option D (GPU memory) mainly affects graphics rendering, gaming, and GPU-accelerated workloads, not general multitasking of ordinary applications.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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