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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is upgrading a server's power supply…
A technician is upgrading a server's power supply to support additional drives. The current PSU is a 750W unit with a single +12V rail rated at 62A. The new drives will add 5A to the +12V load. The total calculated +12V load is 58A. Is the current PSU adequate?
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, because 58A is less than 62A, so it is within specifications.
The PSU's +12V rail is rated for 62A, and the total load after adding drives is 58A, which is within the rating. However, it is good practice to leave headroom (typically 10-20%) to avoid running the PSU at maximum capacity, which can reduce efficiency and lifespan. In this case, the PSU is technically adequate but marginal.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Yes, because 58A is less than 62A, so it is within specifications.
Why this is correct
The power supply unit (PSU) is rated to deliver a maximum of 62 Amperes (A) on its crucial +12V rail, which powers most high-demand components like CPUs and GPUs. With the new drives, the total current draw on this rail is 58A. Since 58A is less than the 62A maximum rating, the PSU is technically within its operational specifications and can supply the required power. While operating close to the maximum capacity might reduce long-term efficiency or lifespan, it does not prevent the PSU from functioning correctly in the short term.
- ✗
No, because the PSU should not be loaded above 80% of its rating.
Why it's wrong here
While loading a power supply unit (PSU) to 80% or less of its maximum capacity is a widely recommended best practice for optimal efficiency, thermal management, and extended longevity, it is not a strict technical limitation. PSUs are designed to operate safely up to their rated maximum output. Exceeding the 80% guideline, in this case operating at approximately 93% (58A/62A), does not immediately render the PSU insufficient or cause failure, although it may lead to increased heat generation and potentially shorten the component's lifespan over time.
- ✗
No, because the total wattage of 750W is insufficient for the new drives.
Why it's wrong here
The total wattage rating of a power supply unit (PSU), such as 750W, represents its overall capacity across all rails, but the critical factor for specific components like hard drives is often the current available on the +12V rail. The additional drives would increase the load by 5A at 12V, equating to only 60W (P=V*I). This incremental wattage is negligible compared to the 750W total capacity, indicating that the overall wattage is not the limiting factor. The primary concern for high-power components is the amperage available on the +12V rail, not the aggregate wattage.
- ✗
Yes, but only if the PSU is 80 Plus Gold certified or higher.
Why it's wrong here
The 80 Plus certification, including Gold, pertains solely to a power supply unit's (PSU) energy efficiency, indicating how effectively it converts AC power from the wall into DC power for components, minimizing wasted heat. This certification does not, however, dictate the PSU's maximum current output or its ability to deliver its rated amperage on specific rails. A PSU's capacity to supply 62A on the +12V rail is an inherent design specification, independent of its efficiency rating, meaning an uncertified or lower-tier certified PSU can still deliver its stated current if designed to do so.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.