The answer is to add an additional 4 GB of RAM, bringing the total to 8 GB. This is correct because Windows 10 64-bit requires at least 2 GB just for the OS, and with only 4 GB total, the system is forced to rely heavily on the page file on the hard drive—a process called paging—which dramatically slows performance when multitasking, such as opening multiple browser tabs. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of memory constraints and the symptoms of low memory, like high disk activity and sluggish response. A common trap is to recommend a faster CPU or an SSD, but when Task Manager shows memory usage at 90-95%, the bottleneck is clearly RAM, not storage or processing power. Remember the memory tip: “4 GB is for browsing, 8 GB is for doing”—if the system is paging, you need more RAM, not a faster drive.
220-1201 RAM Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of ram. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user complains that their PC is running slowly, especially when opening multiple browser tabs. The system has 4 GB of RAM installed, and the OS is Windows 10 64-bit. Task Manager shows memory usage consistently at 90-95%. Which upgrade would provide the most immediate performance improvement?
Why wrong: The bottleneck is memory, not CPU. A faster CPU won't help if the system is constantly swapping to disk due to insufficient RAM.
B
Add an additional 4 GB of RAM to bring the total to 8 GB.
Doubling the RAM will allow more applications to run in memory, reducing reliance on the page file and improving responsiveness.
C
Replace the hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD).
Why wrong: An SSD improves overall system responsiveness, but the immediate issue is memory exhaustion. Adding RAM addresses the root cause more directly.
D
Disable the page file to force the system to use only RAM.
Why wrong: Disabling the page file can cause applications to crash if memory runs out, making the problem worse.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add an additional 4 GB of RAM to bring the total to 8 GB.
With 4 GB of RAM, Windows 10 is likely using most of it for the OS and background processes, leaving little for applications. Upgrading to 8 GB or more will significantly reduce paging to the hard drive and improve multitasking. Adding more RAM is the most effective solution for this symptom, as the system is memory-constrained.
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.
✗
Upgrade the CPU to a faster model.
Why it's wrong here
The bottleneck is memory, not CPU. A faster CPU won't help if the system is constantly swapping to disk due to insufficient RAM.
✓
Add an additional 4 GB of RAM to bring the total to 8 GB.
Why this is correct
Doubling the RAM will allow more applications to run in memory, reducing reliance on the page file and improving responsiveness.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Replace the hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD).
Why it's wrong here
An SSD improves overall system responsiveness, but the immediate issue is memory exhaustion. Adding RAM addresses the root cause more directly.
✗
Disable the page file to force the system to use only RAM.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the page file can cause applications to crash if memory runs out, making the problem worse.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
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.
RAM — This question tests RAM — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add an additional 4 GB of RAM to bring the total to 8 GB. — With 4 GB of RAM, Windows 10 is likely using most of it for the OS and background processes, leaving little for applications. Upgrading to 8 GB or more will significantly reduce paging to the hard drive and improve multitasking. Adding more RAM is the most effective solution for this symptom, as the system is memory-constrained.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer complains that their computer takes a long time to switch between open applications and frequently shows the 'low memory' warning. The system has 8 GB of DDR3 RAM. Task Manager shows that 7.5 GB is in use when only a few applications are open. What is the most likely cause?
medium
A.The hard drive is failing and causing the system to use excessive virtual memory.
✓ B.The system has a memory leak in one of the running applications.
C.The RAM modules are not installed in the correct slots for dual-channel mode.
D.The page file is set too small.
Why B: A memory leak occurs when an application does not release memory after it is done using it, causing RAM usage to steadily increase. This is a common software issue that can be identified by checking which process is consuming memory in Task Manager.
Variation 2. A customer reports their desktop PC is running extremely slow, especially when multiple applications are open. They mention they recently upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The system has 4 GB of RAM. What should you recommend as the most effective first step to improve performance?
easy
A.Disable visual effects in Windows to reduce memory usage.
✓ B.Upgrade the RAM to at least 8 GB.
C.Increase the size of the page file on the hard drive.
D.Reinstall Windows 10 to reduce system resource requirements.
Why B: Windows 11 has a minimum requirement of 4 GB of RAM, but 8 GB is recommended for typical multitasking. Upgrading the RAM directly addresses the bottleneck caused by insufficient memory, which is the most likely cause of the slowdown with multiple applications.
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Question Discussion
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