- A
The Gold-rated PSU provides more wattage to the components.
Why wrong: Both are 650W units; efficiency rating does not affect maximum output wattage.
- B
The Gold-rated PSU produces less heat and is more efficient.
Higher efficiency means less energy is lost as heat, which improves thermal performance and may reduce fan noise.
- C
The Gold-rated PSU has better voltage regulation and ripple suppression.
Why wrong: While Gold units often have better components, efficiency rating alone does not guarantee superior voltage regulation; that depends on design.
- D
The Gold-rated PSU will automatically fix the random lockups.
Why wrong: Lockups could be caused by many factors; a PSU upgrade may help if the old unit was failing, but efficiency does not directly fix stability.
Quick Answer
The answer is the 80+ Gold rated PSU produces less heat and is more efficient. This is because the 80+ Gold certification guarantees 87-90% efficiency at typical loads compared to Bronze’s 82-85%, meaning less input power is wasted as heat. For a server experiencing random lockups, this reduction in waste heat directly improves thermal stability and reliability, while also lowering cooling costs. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of how PSU efficiency ratings impact system performance and heat management—a common trap is assuming a higher wattage is needed, when the real fix is better efficiency. Remember the memory tip: “Gold gives less cold (heat), Bronze burns more bronze-age power.”
220-1201 Power Supply Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of power supply. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is replacing a power supply in a server that has been experiencing random lockups. The old PSU is an 80+ Bronze rated 650W unit. The technician selects an 80+ Gold rated 650W unit from the same brand. What is the primary benefit of this upgrade?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
The Gold-rated PSU produces less heat and is more efficient.
80+ Gold certification indicates higher efficiency (87-90% at typical loads) compared to Bronze (82-85%). This means less power is wasted as heat, which can improve reliability in a server environment and reduce cooling costs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The Gold-rated PSU provides more wattage to the components.
Why it's wrong here
Both are 650W units; efficiency rating does not affect maximum output wattage.
- ✓
The Gold-rated PSU produces less heat and is more efficient.
Why this is correct
Higher efficiency means less energy is lost as heat, which improves thermal performance and may reduce fan noise.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The Gold-rated PSU has better voltage regulation and ripple suppression.
Why it's wrong here
While Gold units often have better components, efficiency rating alone does not guarantee superior voltage regulation; that depends on design.
- ✗
The Gold-rated PSU will automatically fix the random lockups.
Why it's wrong here
Lockups could be caused by many factors; a PSU upgrade may help if the old unit was failing, but efficiency does not directly fix stability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Both are 650W units; efficiency rating does not affect maximum output wattage.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Power Supply — study guide chapter
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Power Supply practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Power Supply — This question tests Power Supply — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Gold-rated PSU produces less heat and is more efficient. — 80+ Gold certification indicates higher efficiency (87-90% at typical loads) compared to Bronze (82-85%). This means less power is wasted as heat, which can improve reliability in a server environment and reduce cooling costs.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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