220-1201 Virtualization and Cloud Computing Practice Question
A user reports that their virtual machine running on a Type 2 hypervisor is performing poorly when running a graphics-intensive application. The host machine has a powerful GPU, but the VM only shows a basic display adapter. Which of the following should the technician configure to improve performance?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that adding CPU cores or enabling virtualization extensions will improve graphics performance in a VM.
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
✓
Enable 3D acceleration and allocate more video memory in the VM settings.
Enabling 3D acceleration and increasing video memory lets the VM leverage the host GPU, which is essential for graphics-intensive applications. The VM currently shows a basic adapter because GPU passthrough or 3D acceleration is not enabled. CPU, network, and hardware-assisted virtualization settings do not provide graphics acceleration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure a bridged network adapter for the VM.
Why it's wrong here
A bridged network adapter changes how the VM connects to the network, giving it a direct presence on the LAN. It has no impact on graphics rendering or display performance. The issue is GPU access, not network connectivity.
- ✓
Enable 3D acceleration and allocate more video memory in the VM settings.
Why this is correct
Enabling 3D acceleration and increasing video memory allows the VM to use the host GPU for graphics rendering, significantly improving performance for graphics-intensive applications. This setting is available in Type 2 hypervisors like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation and directly addresses the lack of a capable display adapter.
- ✗
Increase the number of virtual CPUs assigned to the VM.
Why it's wrong here
Adding vCPUs can help CPU-bound workloads but will not improve graphics performance if the VM lacks GPU acceleration. Graphics-intensive applications rely on the GPU, not just CPU cores. Over-allocating vCPUs can even reduce performance due to scheduling overhead.
- ✗
Enable hardware-assisted virtualization in the VM settings.
Why it's wrong here
Hardware-assisted virtualization (Intel VT-x/AMD-V) improves CPU virtualization performance but does not address graphics acceleration. It is typically enabled at the host firmware level and passed through to the hypervisor, but it does not provide GPU resources to the guest for graphics-intensive tasks.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 871 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.