hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) Practice Question
A graphic designer wants to connect three 4K monitors to a single workstation for a video editing suite. The workstation has a graphics card with one HDMI 2.0 port, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one DVI-D port. The monitors all support HDMI and DisplayPort. Which configuration will allow all three monitors to display at 4K resolution simultaneously?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the misconception that DVI-D can support 4K resolution, or that a passive DisplayPort hub can magically multiply bandwidth, leading candidates to choose Option A or B without considering the bandwidth limitations of MST and DVI. However, option C is viable when using an active MST hub to split the single DisplayPort into two usable connections.
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
✓
Connect one monitor via HDMI, one via DisplayPort, and use a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter for the third
The graphics card has one HDMI 2.0 port and one DisplayPort 1.4 port. While the card has only one DisplayPort, it can support multiple displays through a DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) hub. By using an MST hub, you can connect a monitor directly via DisplayPort and another via a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter, both using the single DisplayPort port. The HDMI port connects the third monitor. All connections support 4K at 60 Hz: HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 natively, and the DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter, if active and HDMI 2.0 compliant, preserves 4K resolution. The DVI-D port is single-link DVI and limited to 1920x1200, so it cannot drive a 4K monitor.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Connect one monitor via HDMI, one via DisplayPort, and one via DVI-D
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: DVI-D single-link does not support 4K resolution; it is limited to 1920x1200.
- ✗
Use a DisplayPort hub to connect all three monitors to the single DisplayPort
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: A passive DisplayPort hub does not increase bandwidth; it only splits the signal, but the total bandwidth of one DisplayPort 1.4 port (32.4 Gbps) is insufficient for three 4K monitors without compression. An active MST hub with Display Stream Compression might work, but the option does not specify active hub and is generally considered impractical for three 4K monitors.
- ✓
Connect one monitor via HDMI, one via DisplayPort, and use a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter for the third
Why this is correct
Correct: As explained, using the HDMI port for one monitor, and an MST hub on the DisplayPort for the other two (one direct DisplayPort, one via DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter), achieves three 4K displays.
- ✗
Replace the graphics card with one that has three DisplayPorts
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This is a valid solution but not the only one and may be unnecessary if an MST hub is used. The question asks which configuration will work among the given options, and C is feasible.
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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.