220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that randomly freezes during use. The PC has an SSD, 16 GB RAM, and a discrete GPU. The technician runs Windows Memory Diagnostic, which reports no errors. The technician then runs a GPU stress test, which causes the system to freeze within minutes. The GPU is not overclocked. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a passing memory diagnostic rules out all hardware issues, when in fact power delivery problems often manifest only under specific high-load conditions.
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 unit's wattage and PCIe power connectors.
The freeze occurring only during GPU stress testing strongly indicates a power delivery issue. A PSU that is inadequate or has faulty PCIe connectors cannot supply the transient power spikes a GPU demands, causing system instability. Checking the PSU's wattage and connections is the most direct and likely fix before considering other components.
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 power supply unit's wattage and PCIe power connectors.
Why this is correct
A GPU stress test draws maximum power, and if the PSU cannot deliver enough wattage or if the PCIe power cables are insufficient or faulty, the system can freeze or shut down under load. Since the freeze occurs specifically during GPU stress, power delivery is the most likely culprit. Checking PSU capacity and connector integrity is a logical first step before replacing the GPU.
- ✗
The CPU cooler's mounting pressure and thermal paste application.
Why it's wrong here
CPU overheating typically causes throttling or shutdowns, not freezes, and would occur under CPU-intensive loads rather than GPU stress. While a GPU stress test can indirectly raise CPU temperatures, the freeze is more directly tied to the GPU's power draw. If the CPU were overheating, the technician would likely see high temperatures or thermal throttling messages, not a sudden freeze.
- ✗
The SSD's firmware version and health status.
Why it's wrong here
While SSD issues can cause freezes, the problem is reproducible only under GPU load. If the SSD were failing, freezes would likely occur during disk-intensive tasks, not specifically during a GPU stress test. The memory diagnostic already passed, and the correlation with GPU stress points away from storage. Checking SSD health is less relevant here and would not explain the stress-test-specific freeze.
- ✗
The motherboard's BIOS version and chipset drivers.
Why it's wrong here
Outdated BIOS or chipset drivers can cause instability, but they rarely cause freezes only under GPU load. If the issue were BIOS-related, it would likely manifest in other scenarios or be resolved by a simple update. The specificity of the freeze during GPU stress suggests a hardware power issue rather than a firmware compatibility problem. Updating BIOS is a lower-priority step compared to verifying power delivery.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Component Compatibility Checking
Key term
RAM
RAM (Random-Access Memory) is volatile computer memory that temporarily stores data for quick access by the CPU.
Key term
Dual In-line Memory Module
A Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) is a small circuit board that holds memory chips and plugs into a computer's motherboard to provide Random Access Memory (RAM).
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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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