How Does Your PC Accurately Keep Time?

Discover how your PC maintains accurate time using RTC chips and NTP servers, even when switched off.

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Your PC knows the time through a combination of the real-time clock (RTC) chip and network time protocol (NTP) servers. The RTC chip keeps track of time even when the computer is off, using a small battery. When the PC is on and connected to the Internet, it synchronizes with NTP servers to ensure the clock is accurate.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is a real-time clock (RTC)? A real-time clock is a chip that keeps track of the current time and date, even when the computer is turned off.
  2. How do NTP servers work? NTP servers synchronize the time on multiple computers over the Internet, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
  3. Can a PC keep time without an internet connection? Yes, a PC can keep time using the RTC chip, but it may drift without synchronization from NTP servers.
  4. Why is accurate timekeeping important for computers? Accurate timekeeping is crucial for file timestamps, logging events, and network communications.