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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is upgrading a workstation by adding…
A technician is upgrading a workstation by adding a second high-end GPU. The current power supply has a single +12V rail rated at 40A and two 6+2 pin PCIe power cables. What is the most important factor to check before proceeding?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the misconception that physical fit or connector count is the primary concern, when in fact power budget (especially +12V rail capacity) is the most critical factor for adding high-end GPUs.
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
✓
The total power draw of the system does not exceed the PSU's +12V rail capacity.
The most critical factor is ensuring the total power draw of the system, especially the +12V rail, does not exceed the PSU's capacity. High-end GPUs draw most of their power from the +12V rail, and adding a second GPU can easily exceed a 40A (480W) limit, causing instability or shutdown. Checking this prevents overloading the PSU.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Whether the motherboard has enough SATA power connectors.
Why it's wrong here
SATA power connectors are specifically designed to deliver power to storage devices like hard disk drives and solid-state drives. Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), especially modern high-performance models, require dedicated PCIe power connectors (e.g., 6-pin or 8-pin) directly from the Power Supply Unit (PSU). The motherboard itself does not typically provide power to the GPU via SATA, making this check irrelevant for a GPU upgrade.
- ✗
The physical clearance inside the case for the second GPU.
Why it's wrong here
While physical clearance is a valid consideration to ensure the GPU can actually fit within the case and not obstruct airflow or other components, it is a secondary concern compared to power delivery. A GPU that physically fits but lacks adequate power from the Power Supply Unit (PSU) will either fail to operate, cause system instability, or lead to unexpected shutdowns. Therefore, ensuring sufficient electrical power is a more critical initial check for system functionality and stability.
- ✓
The total power draw of the system does not exceed the PSU's +12V rail capacity.
Why this is correct
The +12V rail is crucial as it supplies the primary power to the most demanding components in a workstation, including the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Exceeding the Power Supply Unit's (PSU) rated current capacity on this rail can lead to system instability, unexpected shutdowns, component damage, or even prevent the system from booting entirely. Verifying sufficient +12V rail capacity is paramount for stable and reliable operation, especially when adding a second power-hungry GPU.
- ✗
The operating system supports dual GPUs.
Why it's wrong here
Operating system support for dual GPUs, often managed through technologies like NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire, is a software-level consideration that comes into play *after* the hardware is physically installed and powered correctly. If the Power Supply Unit (PSU) cannot adequately power the additional GPU, the system will not even reach the point where the operating system can detect or utilize the second card. Hardware power delivery is a fundamental prerequisite for any software functionality.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Power Supply Units and Connectors
Key term
GPU
A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a specialized processor that handles the rendering of images, video, and animations for display output and can also be used for general-purpose parallel computing tasks.
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
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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
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