220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is installing a new graphics card…

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

• ✗

  Connect only the 6-pin portion

  Why it's wrong here

  Modern high-performance graphics cards often require more power than a standard 6-pin PCIe power connector can deliver, typically demanding an 8-pin connection. Supplying only 6 pins to a card designed for 8 pins will result in insufficient power delivery, leading to system instability, crashes, or the card failing to operate at all. This mismatch can also potentially damage the card or power supply over time due to inadequate current.

• ✗

  Use a Molex to 8-pin adapter

  Why it's wrong here

  Using a Molex to 8-pin adapter is generally discouraged as Molex connectors are designed for lower power draw peripherals and may not reliably supply the sustained, high current required by a modern graphics card. This can lead to power delivery issues, instability, and potentially overheating of the adapter or the PSU's Molex rail. It's a workaround that should only be considered if no native PCIe power connectors are available, and even then, with caution.

• ✓

  Attach the 2-pin portion to the 6-pin to make an 8-pin connector

  Why this is correct

  The 6+2 pin PCIe power connector is an industry-standard design specifically engineered to provide flexibility for graphics cards requiring either a 6-pin or an 8-pin power input. By attaching the detachable 2-pin portion to the 6-pin connector, it forms a complete 8-pin connector, ensuring the graphics card receives the precise voltage and amperage it needs for stable and optimal operation. This method utilizes the native power supply capabilities as intended.

• ✗

  Connect a SATA power cable to the card

  Why it's wrong here

  SATA power cables are designed exclusively for powering SATA devices like hard drives and SSDs, providing 3.3V, 5V, and 12V rails with specific current limits. They are physically incompatible with the PCIe power inputs on a graphics card, which require dedicated 12V lines with much higher amperage capabilities. Attempting to force a SATA power cable into a graphics card's power port would not only be physically impossible without damage but could also short-circuit components or severely damage both the card and the power supply due to incorrect voltage and insufficient current delivery.

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