220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is upgrading a desktop computer with a high-end graphics card that requires an 8-pin PCIe power connector. The existing power supply unit (PSU) only has 6-pin PCIe connectors available. Which adapter should the technician use to safely provide power to the new graphics card?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume any adapter that physically fits will work, but the CompTIA 220-1101 exam tests whether you understand that power adapters must match both the connector shape and the electrical rating (current capacity) of the source and destination, especially for high-draw components like GPUs.
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
✓
6-pin to 8-pin PCIe
The correct adapter is a 6-pin to 8-pin PCIe adapter because the existing PSU already provides a 6-pin PCIe power connector, which shares the same +12V and ground pinout as the 8-pin PCIe connector but with fewer sense pins. This adapter simply adds the two extra pins (typically ground and a sense pin) to meet the 8-pin connector's physical and electrical requirements, allowing the high-end graphics card to draw up to 150W safely.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Molex to 8-pin PCIe
Why it's wrong here
Molex connectors are typically used for older peripherals like hard drives and fans. They can supply power, but using multiple Molex adapters for a high-end GPU may lead to insufficient current or overheating, and is not recommended.
When this WOULD be correct
If the PSU has spare Molex connectors and the graphics card requires only 75W (e.g., a low-end card with a 6-pin connector), a Molex to 6-pin PCIe adapter could be used, but not for an 8-pin high-end card.
- ✗
SATA to 8-pin PCIe
Why it's wrong here
A SATA to 8-pin PCIe adapter is dangerous because SATA power connectors are rated for only 4.5A on the 12V line, or about 54W, far below the 150W an 8-pin GPU connector may draw. Under load, the thin SATA wires and contacts overheat, potentially melting the connector or starting a fire, and the voltage drop can cause GPU instability or crashes. It is never recommended for high-end graphics cards.
When this WOULD be correct
A SATA to 8-pin PCIe adapter would be correct if the graphics card has a lower power draw (e.g., 75W or less) and the PSU lacks any PCIe connectors but has spare SATA connectors, and the adapter is designed for that specific low-power card.
- ✓
6-pin to 8-pin PCIe
Why this is correct
A 6-pin to 8-pin PCIe adapter is the safe, standard solution because both connectors belong to the same PCIe power family. A 6-pin supplies up to 75W and an 8-pin delivers up to 150W; the adapter joins the 6-pin's three 12V wires and ground wires to the 8-pin layout, and the GPU regulates the extra pins as sense lines. This works provided the PSU's 6-pin is on a sufficient rail, making it a cost-effective and common upgrade path.
- ✗
4-pin to 8-pin ATX
Why it's wrong here
A 4-pin to 8-pin ATX adapter targets the motherboard's CPU power (EPS12V) connector, not PCIe graphics power. The 4-pin ATX (or P4) and 8-pin EPS connectors have a different pinout—two 12V and two ground versus four 12V and four ground—so the adapter cannot supply the correct PCIe signaling or current path. Even if mechanically forced, it risks shorting or damaging the GPU and is incompatible with PCIe power requirements.
When this WOULD be correct
This adapter would be correct when upgrading a motherboard that requires an 8-pin EPS12V CPU power connector, but the existing PSU only has a 4-pin ATX CPU connector. For example, installing a server motherboard that needs dual 8-pin CPU power.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓6-pin to 8-pin PCIeCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A 6-pin to 8-pin PCIe adapter is the safe, standard solution because both connectors belong to the same PCIe power family. A 6-pin supplies up to 75W and an 8-pin delivers up to 150W; the adapter joins the 6-pin's three 12V wires and ground wires to the 8-pin layout, and the GPU regulates the extra pins as sense lines. This works provided the PSU's 6-pin is on a sufficient rail, making it a cost-effective and common upgrade path.
✗Molex to 8-pin PCIeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Molex connectors are not designed to safely deliver the high current required by an 8-pin PCIe graphics card; using a Molex adapter can cause overheating or fire.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the PSU has spare Molex connectors and the graphics card requires only 75W (e.g., a low-end card with a 6-pin connector), a Molex to 6-pin PCIe adapter could be used, but not for an 8-pin high-end card.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think any adapter will work, and Molex is a common legacy connector, so they assume it can be adapted to any power need.
✗SATA to 8-pin PCIeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SATA power connectors are rated for lower current (typically 54W) than an 8-pin PCIe connector (150W), so using a SATA to 8-pin PCIe adapter risks overloading the SATA cable and causing fire or damage.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A SATA to 8-pin PCIe adapter would be correct if the graphics card has a lower power draw (e.g., 75W or less) and the PSU lacks any PCIe connectors but has spare SATA connectors, and the adapter is designed for that specific low-power card.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think any adapter that physically fits will work, or they may have seen SATA adapters used in low-power scenarios and assume they are universally safe.
✗4-pin to 8-pin ATXWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The 4-pin to 8-pin ATX adapter is designed to convert a 4-pin ATX CPU power connector to an 8-pin EPS12V connector for the motherboard, not for PCIe graphics cards. Using it on a graphics card would be physically incompatible and could cause damage.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This adapter would be correct when upgrading a motherboard that requires an 8-pin EPS12V CPU power connector, but the existing PSU only has a 4-pin ATX CPU connector. For example, installing a server motherboard that needs dual 8-pin CPU power.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the 4-pin to 8-pin ATX adapter with PCIe power adapters, or assume any 8-pin connector is interchangeable, not realizing the keying and voltage differences between CPU and PCIe power.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Power Supply Units and Connectors
Key term
Power supply unit
A power supply unit (PSU) is the hardware component that converts electricity from a wall outlet into usable power for a computer's internal components.
Key term
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
PCI Express (PCIe) is a high-speed expansion bus standard that connects internal hardware components like graphics cards, SSDs, and network adapters to a computer's motherboard.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1101 question from scratch — 896 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 220-1101 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.