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Computer Hardware and Logic Circuits: Question 2

Syllabus 3.1

Multiple choice AS 1 mark

Which hardware component is primarily responsible for converting digital audio data stored in a computer into an analogue electrical signal that can be sent to speakers or headphones?

Choose an answer to check it, then compare with the worked solution below.
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Worked solution

Matching the described function to a component

The question describes a component that takes digital audio data (stored as binary in the computer) and converts it into an analogue electrical signal suitable for driving speakers or headphones. This digital-to-analogue conversion (and analogue-to-digital conversion for audio input, such as from a microphone), together with amplifying and processing sound, is specifically the job of the sound card. An audio-processing chip that is either built into the motherboard or fitted as a separate expansion card.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (NIC): a network interface card allows the computer to send and receive data over a wired or wireless network. It has no role in converting audio signals.
  • B (GPU): a graphics processing unit is a specialised processor for rendering and outputting visual/video data to a display, not audio.
  • D (Motherboard): the motherboard is the main circuit board that physically holds and connects components such as the CPU, RAM, GPU and sound card so they can communicate with each other. It provides the connections but does not itself perform the audio conversion.

Final answer

C, the sound card converts digital audio data into an analogue signal for output to speakers or headphones.