220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is assembling a new workstation. The motherboard supports DDR4 memory and has four DIMM slots: A1, A2, B1, B2. The technician installs two 16 GB DDR4-3200 modules. After powering on, the system detects 32 GB of RAM but reports a speed of 2133 MHz. The technician confirms the modules are rated for 3200 MHz. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason for the lower speed?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume the CPU or motherboard is incompatible with 3200 MHz, when in fact the hardware supports it but the BIOS profile must be manually enabled to achieve the rated speed.
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 BIOS memory profile is not set to XMP/DOCP
The motherboard detects the RAM capacity correctly but runs at the JEDEC default speed of 2133 MHz because the XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) or DOCP (Direct Overclock Profile) has not been enabled in the BIOS. DDR4-3200 modules require an overclocking profile to operate at their rated speed; without it, the system defaults to the standard 2133 MHz speed.
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 modules are not installed in the correct slots for dual-channel mode
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect DIMM slot placement for dual-channel mode changes memory interleaving and can reduce memory bandwidth, but it does not alter the JEDEC-defined operating frequency. With four 8 GB modules installed, the system would still report the full 32 GB capacity even in single-channel mode, and the memory would remain at its default SPD speed. Since the fault is that the system is running at 2133 MHz instead of the rated 3200 MHz, the cause would be a configuration issue, not physical slot arrangement.
- ✗
The CPU does not support 3200 MHz
Why it's wrong here
Most modern CPUs support memory speeds up to at least 2666 MHz, and many support 3200 MHz. The motherboard supports it, so the CPU is likely capable. If the CPU did not support 3200 MHz, the system might not boot or would automatically downclock, but 2133 MHz is the standard speed, not a downclock.
- ✓
The BIOS memory profile is not set to XMP/DOCP
Why this is correct
DDR4 modules carry an SPD chip that programs the motherboard to boot at a conservative JEDEC speed—typically 2133 MHz—unless an extreme memory profile (Intel XMP or AMD DOCP) is explicitly selected in the BIOS. The rated 3200 MHz speed is an overclocked specification that the memory manufacturer validates but does not apply by default. Enabling the XMP/DOCP profile loads the tested timings and voltage, allowing the memory to run at its advertised 3200 MHz speed.
- ✗
The power supply is insufficient
Why it's wrong here
An insufficient or failing power supply generally manifests as random shutdowns, reboots, or a failure to POST under load, because the voltage rails cannot sustain the system's power draw. It does not have a mechanism to instruct the memory controller to operate at a lower frequency; memory speed is determined by the CPU memory controller and the SPD/XMP settings. If the PSU were truly inadequate, the system would likely be unstable or completely non-functional rather than cleanly reporting 32 GB at 2133 MHz.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
BIOS/UEFI Update Procedures
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).
Key term
RAM
RAM (Random-Access Memory) is volatile computer memory that temporarily stores data for quick access by the CPU.
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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.