What specific topics are tested in 220-1101 Hardware (25%)?

Match USB, Thunderbolt, Lightning, and RJ45 ports to laptop and mobile device functions

What else is tested in the Hardware (25%) domain?

Differentiate DDR3, DDR4, DDR5, SODIMM, and ECC RAM by speed, voltage, and use case

What else is tested in the Hardware (25%) domain?

Identify motherboard form factors (ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX) and header functions like front-panel connectors

What else is tested in the Hardware (25%) domain?

Diagnose laser printer defects such as ghosting, smearing, and repeated marks by component

What are common mistakes on 220-1101 Hardware (25%) questions?

Confusing Thunderbolt 3 with USB-C: both use the same connector, but only Thunderbolt carries PCIe and DisplayPort natively.

What trap questions appear in the Hardware (25%) domain?

Assuming all M.2 slots support NVMe; some are SATA-only, so a PCIe SSD won't be recognized in those slots.

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220-1101Exam Domain

Hardware (25%)220-1101 Study Guide

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Quick Answer

Candidates must match connectors, RAM, storage, CPUs, and PSU wattage to real builds, and the most important thing is verifying motherboard socket and chipset compatibility before selecting a CPU or DDR4/DDR5 DIMMs.

Hardware is 25% of CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101, covering laptop components, mobile device ports and accessories, RAM types, storage (HDD, SSD, flash), motherboards, CPUs, power supplies, and multifunction printers. Questions present real-world scenarios asking you to identify connectors, select compatible parts, interpret POST beep codes, or troubleshoot print defects and overheating issues.

What the exam tests

Match USB, Thunderbolt, Lightning, and RJ45 ports to laptop and mobile device functions
Differentiate DDR3, DDR4, DDR5, SODIMM, and ECC RAM by speed, voltage, and use case
Identify motherboard form factors (ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX) and header functions like front-panel connectors
Diagnose laser printer defects such as ghosting, smearing, and repeated marks by component

Common exam traps

Confusing Thunderbolt 3 with USB-C: both use the same connector, but only Thunderbolt carries PCIe and DisplayPort natively.
Assuming all M.2 slots support NVMe; some are SATA-only, so a PCIe SSD won't be recognized in those slots.
Mixing up DDR generations: DDR4 and DDR5 are keyed differently and cannot be installed in the same motherboard slot.

Hardware (25%) Chapters

Motherboard Components and Form Factors

Objective 3.1 · Hardware

Hardware (25%) Chapters

Other 220-1101 Domains

Test your Hardware (25%) knowledge