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220-1201 Practice Question: A user wants to connect their laptop to a 4K…
A user wants to connect their laptop to a 4K external monitor for a presentation. The laptop has USB-C ports, and the monitor supports HDMI and DisplayPort. Which adapter or cable should the technician recommend for the best video quality?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that HDMI is always the best for video quality because it is common on consumer monitors, but DisplayPort actually offers higher bandwidth and native support for 4K at higher refresh rates without compression.
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
✓
USB-C to DisplayPort cable
A USB-C to DisplayPort cable supports native DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C, which can deliver uncompressed 4K video at 60Hz or higher without conversion. This provides the best video quality for a 4K external monitor, as DisplayPort is designed for high-bandwidth video and supports higher refresh rates and color depths than HDMI in many implementations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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USB-C to VGA adapter
Why it's wrong here
VGA (Video Graphics Array) is an analog video interface designed for older display technologies, inherently lacking the bandwidth and digital signal integrity required for 4K (3840x2160) resolutions. A USB-C to VGA adapter would necessitate a digital-to-analog conversion, which introduces signal degradation and limits the maximum resolution to significantly lower values, typically around 2048x1536, making 4K output impossible.
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USB-C to HDMI adapter
Why it's wrong here
While a USB-C to HDMI adapter can transmit video, its ability to support 4K at 60Hz depends heavily on the specific HDMI version supported by the adapter and the display, as well as the capabilities of the laptop's USB-C port. Older HDMI versions (e.g., 1.4) are limited to 4K at 30Hz, and even with HDMI 2.0 or 2.1, the USB-C port must support the necessary DisplayPort Alternate Mode bandwidth for conversion, which isn't always guaranteed for 4K@60Hz without compression.
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USB-C to DisplayPort cable
Why this is correct
USB-C ports frequently integrate DisplayPort Alternate Mode (Alt Mode), allowing them to transmit native DisplayPort digital video signals directly over the USB-C connector. This provides superior bandwidth for uncompressed 4K (3840x2160) video at high refresh rates (e.g., 60Hz or higher) without requiring complex signal conversion. This direct digital transmission and high bandwidth capability make a USB-C to DisplayPort cable the most reliable and efficient solution for achieving optimal 4K video output.
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USB-C to DVI adapter
Why it's wrong here
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is an older digital video standard that, even in its dual-link configuration, typically maxes out at resolutions of 2560x1600 or 1920x1200 at 60Hz. It lacks the necessary bandwidth to support 4K (3840x2160) resolutions, which require significantly more data throughput than DVI can provide. Therefore, a USB-C to DVI adapter would be incapable of transmitting a 4K signal to a display, making it an unsuitable choice for this requirement.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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