easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: Upgrading a customer's gaming PC to support…
You are upgrading a customer's gaming PC to support faster memory. The motherboard supports DDR4-3200, but after installing two 8GB DDR4-3200 modules, the system only runs at 2133 MHz. What is the most likely reason?
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
✓
XMP is not enabled in the BIOS
By default, most motherboards run RAM at a standard JEDEC speed (often 2133 MHz) for stability. To achieve the rated speed of 3200 MHz, you must enable XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) in the BIOS. This is a common step that new builders overlook.
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 RAM modules are defective
Why it's wrong here
If RAM modules were truly defective, the system would likely experience severe instability, such as frequent Blue Screens of Death (BSODs), random reboots, or a complete failure to POST (Power-On Self-Test). Running at a lower, stable JEDEC speed (like 2133 MHz) without other symptoms indicates the modules are functional but not configured to their advertised higher speed.
- ✗
The motherboard does not support dual-channel memory
Why it's wrong here
Dual-channel memory support is a common feature on modern motherboards, allowing two RAM modules to operate simultaneously for increased bandwidth. While a lack of dual-channel support would limit overall memory bandwidth and performance, it would not inherently prevent the RAM from running at its rated speed if properly configured. The default operating speed of 2133 MHz is a JEDEC standard, independent of the memory channel configuration.
- ✓
XMP is not enabled in the BIOS
Why this is correct
Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) is an Intel-developed technology, also supported by AMD as DOCP (Direct Overclock Profile), that allows RAM modules to operate at speeds higher than the default JEDEC standards. When new, high-speed RAM is installed, the system's BIOS/UEFI typically defaults to a lower, universally compatible JEDEC speed, such as DDR4-2133 or DDR4-2400. Enabling XMP in the BIOS loads the manufacturer-defined overclocking profile, allowing the RAM to run at its advertised speed, like DDR4-3200.
- ✗
The CPU does not support DDR4-3200
Why it's wrong here
Modern CPUs, especially those designed for gaming PCs, generally support a wide range of DDR4 memory speeds, often exceeding 3200 MHz, particularly when paired with a compatible motherboard. The memory controller is integrated into the CPU, but its effective speed is also governed by the motherboard's capabilities and the BIOS settings. If the motherboard explicitly supports DDR4-3200, it strongly implies the CPU is also compatible, and the current lower speed is almost certainly a configuration issue rather than a fundamental CPU limitation.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
TCP/IP and Common Ports for A+
Key term
BIOS
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the low-level firmware stored on a motherboard chip that initializes and tests hardware components before loading the operating system.
Key term
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is your computer's short-term memory, temporarily holding data the CPU needs right now or very soon.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 972 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.