- A
No, the fan should face upward to exhaust hot air from inside the case.
Why wrong: Facing upward would pull hot air from inside the case into the PSU, reducing its cooling efficiency and lifespan.
- B
Yes, the fan should face downward to draw cool air from outside the case.
This is the correct orientation for a bottom-mounted PSU with a dust filter; it ensures the PSU gets cool, filtered air.
- C
No, the PSU should be mounted fan-up to prevent dust from entering.
Why wrong: Fan-up orientation would pull dust from inside the case into the PSU, and the dust filter would be ineffective.
- D
The orientation does not matter as long as the PSU is securely mounted.
Why wrong: Orientation significantly affects thermal performance and dust accumulation; it should always follow case design guidelines.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the PSU fan should face downward in a bottom-mounted configuration. This orientation is correct because it allows the power supply to draw cool, dense air from outside the case through the dedicated dust filter, rather than pulling in warmer air recirculating inside the chassis. By doing so, the PSU operates more efficiently and stays cooler under load, while the filter traps dust before it can enter the unit. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of proper airflow dynamics and case design—a common trap is assuming the fan should face upward to exhaust heat, but that would actually fight natural convection and pull in unfiltered, dusty air. Remember the memory tip: “Down for dust-free cooling”—when the PSU is mounted at the bottom, the fan points down to the filter, keeping the system clean and cool.
220-1201 Power Supply Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of power supply. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 installing a power supply in a new build. The case has a bottom-mounted PSU bay with a dust filter. The technician notices that the PSU fan faces downward. Is this correct?
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
Yes, the fan should face downward to draw cool air from outside the case.
In a bottom-mounted PSU configuration, the fan should face downward to draw cool air from outside the case through the dust filter. This improves cooling efficiency and reduces dust buildup inside the case.
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.
- ✗
No, the fan should face upward to exhaust hot air from inside the case.
Why it's wrong here
Facing upward would pull hot air from inside the case into the PSU, reducing its cooling efficiency and lifespan.
- ✓
Yes, the fan should face downward to draw cool air from outside the case.
Why this is correct
This is the correct orientation for a bottom-mounted PSU with a dust filter; it ensures the PSU gets cool, filtered air.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
No, the PSU should be mounted fan-up to prevent dust from entering.
Why it's wrong here
Fan-up orientation would pull dust from inside the case into the PSU, and the dust filter would be ineffective.
- ✗
The orientation does not matter as long as the PSU is securely mounted.
Why it's wrong here
Orientation significantly affects thermal performance and dust accumulation; it should always follow case design guidelines.
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.
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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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: Yes, the fan should face downward to draw cool air from outside the case. — In a bottom-mounted PSU configuration, the fan should face downward to draw cool air from outside the case through the dust filter. This improves cooling efficiency and reduces dust buildup inside the case.
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.
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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