- A
One SATA III SSD for the OS and one SATA III HDD for media files.
Why wrong: While this separates OS and data, both drives are limited by SATA III speeds, which is insufficient for 4K video editing.
- B
One NVMe M.2 SSD for both the OS and media files.
An NVMe SSD provides the fastest speeds available, handling both OS and large media files efficiently.
- C
Two SATA III SSDs in RAID 0.
Why wrong: RAID 0 with SATA III SSDs can improve performance, but total throughput is still limited by the SATA interface and may not match a single NVMe drive.
- D
One SATA III SSD for the OS and one NVMe M.2 SSD for media files.
Why wrong: This is a good configuration, but the question asks for the best performance; using the NVMe drive for both OS and media is simpler and equally fast.
Quick Answer
The answer is one NVMe M.2 SSD for both the OS and media files. This configuration delivers the best performance because NVMe drives connect directly to the PCIe bus, offering sequential read/write speeds up to 3500 MB/s—over six times faster than SATA III’s 550 MB/s ceiling. For 4K video editing, where you’re constantly moving large files, that speed difference eliminates bottlenecks during scrubbing, rendering, and file transfers. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of storage interface speeds and the practical trade-off between a single fast drive versus splitting tasks across slower SATA SSDs. A common trap is thinking you need separate drives for OS and media, but with only one M.2 slot, the NVMe drive handles both roles without compromise. Memory tip: think “NVMe = No Velcro, Mega speed”—it’s the direct PCIe lane that makes the difference.
220-1101 Storage Devices Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of storage devices. 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 configuring a workstation for a graphic designer who needs to work with large 4K video files. The motherboard supports SATA III and has one M.2 slot. Which storage configuration will provide the best performance for this workload?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
One NVMe M.2 SSD for both the OS and media files.
This question tests understanding of storage interface speeds. NVMe M.2 SSDs offer significantly higher sequential read/write speeds (up to 3500 MB/s) compared to SATA III (up to 550 MB/s), making them ideal for large file editing.
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.
- ✗
One SATA III SSD for the OS and one SATA III HDD for media files.
Why it's wrong here
While this separates OS and data, both drives are limited by SATA III speeds, which is insufficient for 4K video editing.
- ✓
One NVMe M.2 SSD for both the OS and media files.
Why this is correct
An NVMe SSD provides the fastest speeds available, handling both OS and large media files efficiently.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Two SATA III SSDs in RAID 0.
Why it's wrong here
RAID 0 with SATA III SSDs can improve performance, but total throughput is still limited by the SATA interface and may not match a single NVMe drive.
- ✗
One SATA III SSD for the OS and one NVMe M.2 SSD for media files.
Why it's wrong here
This is a good configuration, but the question asks for the best performance; using the NVMe drive for both OS and media is simpler and equally fast.
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.
- →
Storage Devices — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Storage Devices practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Storage Devices — This question tests Storage Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: One NVMe M.2 SSD for both the OS and media files. — This question tests understanding of storage interface speeds. NVMe M.2 SSDs offer significantly higher sequential read/write speeds (up to 3500 MB/s) compared to SATA III (up to 550 MB/s), making them ideal for large file editing.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
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 technician is configuring a new workstation for video editing. The user needs fast read/write speeds for large project files. Which storage technology should be selected for the primary drive?
easy- A.2.5-inch SATA SSD
- ✓ B.NVMe M.2 SSD
- C.10,000 RPM HDD
- D.Hybrid drive (SSHD)
Why B: An NVMe M.2 SSD uses the PCIe interface, offering significantly faster speeds than SATA SSDs or HDDs, ideal for video editing. SATA SSDs are slower, and HDDs are too slow for this workload.
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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