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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is installing a new video card in a…
A technician is installing a new video card in a desktop PC used for graphic design. The card has one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and two DVI ports. The user wants to connect two 1920x1080 monitors. Which combination of ports and cables will provide the best image quality and support for both monitors?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common pitfall in CompTIA A+ is assuming DVI is equivalent to HDMI or DisplayPort. In reality, DVI has bandwidth limitations (especially single-link) and lacks support for newer features like higher refresh rates and color depths, making HDMI and DisplayPort superior choices for modern graphic design setups.
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
✓
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and the DisplayPort for the other
The DisplayPort and HDMI ports both support digital video and audio, and at 1920x1080 resolution, both can deliver excellent image quality. However, DisplayPort is the preferred choice for the primary monitor in a graphic design setup because it supports higher color depths and refresh rates over longer cable lengths, and it is the native interface for modern video cards. Using HDMI for one monitor and DisplayPort for the other allows both monitors to run at their native resolution without signal degradation, while DVI (especially single-link DVI) is limited to 1920x1080 at 60 Hz and lacks the bandwidth for higher color fidelity or future upgrades.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and a DVI port for the other
Why it's wrong here
While using an HDMI port with a DVI port for a dual-monitor setup is technically feasible, DVI is an older digital interface that often lacks support for audio transmission and may not fully support the highest resolutions or refresh rates of modern displays. Although it can provide a functional video connection, it is generally considered a suboptimal choice compared to more current digital standards like DisplayPort, which offer superior capabilities and broader compatibility with contemporary monitor features.
- ✓
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and the DisplayPort for the other
Why this is correct
Utilizing an HDMI port for one monitor and a DisplayPort for the other is the optimal solution for a modern dual-monitor setup. Both HDMI and DisplayPort are advanced digital interfaces that support high resolutions, fast refresh rates, and integrated audio transmission, ensuring excellent image quality and compatibility with contemporary display technologies. This combination allows for an extended desktop experience with superior performance and feature support.
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Use both DVI ports for the monitors
Why it's wrong here
Employing both DVI ports for a dual-monitor configuration is generally not recommended for new installations due to DVI's inherent limitations as an older standard. DVI often lacks integrated audio support, and its bandwidth can restrict maximum resolutions and refresh rates compared to modern interfaces. Relying solely on DVI for both displays means foregoing the enhanced capabilities and future-proofing offered by contemporary digital video connections like HDMI and DisplayPort.
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Use a DisplayPort splitter to run both monitors from the single DisplayPort
Why it's wrong here
Using a simple DisplayPort splitter to connect two monitors from a single DisplayPort will typically result in a mirrored display, where both monitors show the exact same image rather than extending the desktop. A basic splitter duplicates the video signal, preventing the independent display functionality necessary for an extended multi-monitor workspace. To achieve an extended desktop from a single DisplayPort, a Multi-Stream Transport (MST) hub or daisy-chaining compatible monitors would be required, not a standard splitter.
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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.