- A
The GPU is overheating due to poor case airflow.
Why wrong: While overheating can cause shutdowns, the scenario describes random shutdowns during gaming, which is more consistent with power supply insufficiency; thermal issues would typically cause gradual performance throttling or a specific temperature warning.
- B
The power supply is undersized for the system's peak power demands.
A high-end GPU and CPU can draw more than 500W under load, causing the PSU to trip overcurrent protection or shut down. This is the most direct cause given the symptoms.
- C
The motherboard's VRM is failing due to age.
Why wrong: VRM failure is less common and would likely cause instability at all times, not just under gaming load, and would not be resolved by a PSU upgrade.
- D
The RAM is faulty causing memory errors during gaming.
Why wrong: Faulty RAM typically causes blue screens, application crashes, or boot failures, not random shutdowns without error messages.
Quick Answer
The answer is that an undersized power supply is the most likely cause of the random shutdowns during gaming. When a high-end GPU and a CPU with a 125W TDP demand peak wattage under load, a 500W PSU often cannot sustain that draw, causing the system’s voltage to drop or triggering the PSU’s overcurrent or thermal protection, which instantly cuts power. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of power supply sizing and the relationship between total system draw and PSU capacity; a common trap is blaming the GPU or overheating first, but the key clue is that shutdowns occur specifically under load, not idle. Remember the memory tip: “Load loss means wattage cost”—if the PC shuts down under heavy load, suspect the wattage is insufficient.
220-1101 Power Supply Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of power supply. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 customer reports that their desktop PC randomly shuts down when playing a graphically intensive game. The system has a 500W power supply, a high-end GPU, and a CPU with a 125W TDP. What is the most likely cause of the shutdowns?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 power supply is undersized for the system's peak power demands.
The random shutdowns under load suggest the power supply cannot deliver enough wattage to sustain peak power draw from the GPU and CPU. A 500W PSU may be insufficient for a high-end gaming system, causing voltage drops or thermal overload protection to trigger. Upgrading to a higher-wattage PSU with adequate +12V rail capacity would resolve the issue.
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.
- ✗
The GPU is overheating due to poor case airflow.
Why it's wrong here
While overheating can cause shutdowns, the scenario describes random shutdowns during gaming, which is more consistent with power supply insufficiency; thermal issues would typically cause gradual performance throttling or a specific temperature warning.
- ✓
The power supply is undersized for the system's peak power demands.
Why this is correct
A high-end GPU and CPU can draw more than 500W under load, causing the PSU to trip overcurrent protection or shut down. This is the most direct cause given the symptoms.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The motherboard's VRM is failing due to age.
Why it's wrong here
VRM failure is less common and would likely cause instability at all times, not just under gaming load, and would not be resolved by a PSU upgrade.
- ✗
The RAM is faulty causing memory errors during gaming.
Why it's wrong here
Faulty RAM typically causes blue screens, application crashes, or boot failures, not random shutdowns without error messages.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
While overheating can cause shutdowns, the scenario describes random shutdowns during gaming, which is more consistent with power supply insufficiency; thermal issues would typically cause gradual performance throttling or a specific temperature warning.
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.
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Power Supply — study guide chapter
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Power Supply practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Power Supply — This question tests Power Supply — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The power supply is undersized for the system's peak power demands. — The random shutdowns under load suggest the power supply cannot deliver enough wattage to sustain peak power draw from the GPU and CPU. A 500W PSU may be insufficient for a high-end gaming system, causing voltage drops or thermal overload protection to trigger. Upgrading to a higher-wattage PSU with adequate +12V rail capacity would resolve the issue.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 customer reports that their desktop PC randomly shuts down when playing graphics-intensive games, but runs fine during web browsing. The power supply is a 450W unit. What is the most likely cause of the issue?
easy- A.The CPU thermal paste has dried out, causing overheating only during gaming.
- ✓ B.The power supply is underrated for the system's peak power draw.
- C.The graphics card driver is corrupted, causing system instability.
- D.The motherboard capacitors are failing, causing intermittent power loss.
Why B: This scenario tests understanding of power supply wattage requirements under load. Graphics-intensive gaming draws more power, and if the PSU cannot supply enough sustained wattage, the system may shut down to protect itself. A 450W unit is often insufficient for a gaming GPU, especially if the system has multiple drives or high-end components.
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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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