220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is replacing the central processing unit (CPU) on a motherboard that features an LGA1200 socket. Which of the following CPU families is MOST likely compatible with this socket?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume any Intel Core i7 or i5 processor is compatible, but each generation uses a specific socket (e.g., LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1200), and the socket must match exactly for physical and electrical compatibility.
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
✓
Intel Core i7-10700K
The LGA1200 socket is designed for Intel's 10th and 11th generation Comet Lake and Rocket Lake processors. The Intel Core i7-10700K is a 10th generation Comet Lake CPU that uses the LGA1200 socket, making it the correct choice.
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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AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Why it's wrong here
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is a Zen 2-based processor that uses AMD's AM4 socket, which is a PGA (pin grid array) design with 1331 pins. LGA1200, in contrast, is an Intel land-grid-array socket with 1200 contacts, so the electrical interface and physical keying are completely different. No adapter exists to mount this CPU on an LGA1200 motherboard, and attempting to force it would risk bending the motherboard contacts or damaging the CPU's pins.
- ✓
Intel Core i7-10700K
Why this is correct
The Intel Core i7-10700K is a 10th-generation Comet Lake-S processor, and LGA1200 was specifically introduced for Intel's 10th and 11th generation desktop CPUs. With 20 threads and an unlocked multiplier, it is fully supported on motherboards with the LGA1200 socket. This makes it the only option listed that natively matches the socket and chipset layout.
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Intel Core i5-8400
Why it's wrong here
The Intel Core i5-8400 is an 8th-generation Coffee Lake CPU that fits LGA1151 v2, not LGA1200. While both are Intel sockets, LGA1151 v2 has 1151 pins and a different notch arrangement, so the CPU cannot be seated in an LGA1200 motherboard. Additionally, the 300-series chipset required for this processor is not compatible with LGA1200's 400-series platform.
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Intel Core i7-4770K
Why it's wrong here
The Intel Core i7-4770K is a 4th-generation Haswell processor designed for LGA1150, a socket with 1150 pins and an older electrical architecture. LGA1200 has a different pin count and keying, and this CPU also requires DDR3 memory, whereas LGA1200 boards use DDR4 (or DDR5 on some models). Even the mounting dimensions are off, so it is completely incompatible.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.