easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is upgrading a server CPU and needs…
A technician is upgrading a server CPU and needs to select a processor that supports ECC memory. Which CPU feature is required for ECC support?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing ECC with other CPU features like Hyper-Threading or integrated graphics, or assuming any CPU can support ECC if the motherboard does; the exam tests that the memory controller is the key enabler.
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
✓
Memory controller
ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory support depends on the CPU's integrated memory controller, which manages the memory bus and performs the error detection and correction. Without a memory controller that supports ECC, the CPU cannot generate or check the ECC parity bits, regardless of other features. Integrated GPU, Hyper-Threading, and overclocking are unrelated to ECC functionality.
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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Integrated GPU
Why it's wrong here
An integrated GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a component built directly into the CPU die that handles graphics rendering and video output. Its primary function is to process visual data, offloading this task from the main CPU cores. The presence or absence of an integrated GPU has no bearing on the CPU's ability to support or utilize Error-Correcting Code (ECC) memory, as memory error correction is handled by the memory controller, not the graphics subsystem.
- ✗
Hyper-Threading
Why it's wrong here
Hyper-Threading is an Intel-specific technology that allows a single physical CPU core to execute two instruction threads concurrently, effectively presenting itself as two logical processors to the operating system. This technology primarily enhances multitasking performance and overall CPU utilization by optimizing instruction pipeline usage. However, Hyper-Threading is a core-level optimization for instruction execution and does not influence or interact with the CPU's memory controller's capability to support or process ECC memory for error detection and correction.
- ✓
Memory controller
Why this is correct
The memory controller is a critical component, often integrated directly into the CPU, responsible for managing all data transfers between the CPU and the system's RAM modules. For Error-Correcting Code (ECC) memory to function, the memory controller must specifically contain the necessary logic to generate, store, and verify the additional parity bits used for error detection and correction. Without a memory controller designed to support ECC, the system cannot utilize the error-correcting capabilities of ECC RAM, making this a mandatory feature for server-grade CPUs.
- ✗
Overclocking capability
Why it's wrong here
Overclocking capability refers to the ability to increase a CPU's clock speed beyond its manufacturer-specified limits, typically by adjusting voltage and multiplier settings, to achieve higher performance. This feature is focused on enhancing raw computational speed and is entirely distinct from the CPU's fundamental ability to manage and correct errors in system memory. Overclocking does not enable or disable the underlying support for ECC memory error correction, which is a design characteristic of the memory controller.
Quick reference
RAID Level Comparison
| RAID Level | Min Disks | Fault Tolerance | Read | Write | Usable Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 2 | None | Excellent | Excellent | 100% |
| RAID 1 | 2 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 50% |
| RAID 5 | 3 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 67–94% |
| RAID 6 | 4 | 2 disks | Good | Lower | 50–88% |
| RAID 10 | 4 | 1 disk per mirror | Excellent | Good | 50% |
RAID is not a backup strategy — it protects against disk failure but not against accidental deletion, ransomware, or site-level events.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
RAM Types and Memory Slots
Key term
Error-correcting Code
Error-correcting code (ECC) is a method used by computer memory to automatically detect and fix single-bit errors without crashing or corrupting data.
Key term
CPU
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main electronic brain of a computer that carries out instructions from software by performing basic arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output operations.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.