220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is upgrading a desktop computer with a new CPU. The motherboard uses an LGA1700 socket, and the technician installs an Intel Core i7-12700K CPU correctly, lowering the retention arm without force. The system powers on, the fans spin, but the monitor remains black and there are no POST beeps. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume a physical installation issue (like a bent pin or improper seating) when the CPU is correctly installed, but CompTIA tests the concept that a BIOS version mismatch can prevent POST entirely without any error beeps.
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
✓
A. The CPU is not supported by the current motherboard BIOS version
The Intel Core i7-12700K (Alder Lake) requires a motherboard with an LGA1700 socket and a BIOS that supports 12th-gen CPUs. If the motherboard's BIOS was manufactured before the CPU's release, it may lack the microcode needed to initialize the processor, resulting in a black screen and no POST beeps despite power and fan activity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A. The CPU is not supported by the current motherboard BIOS version
Why this is correct
Motherboards require a BIOS update to support newer CPU microarchitectures. If the BIOS is too old, the CPU will not initialize even though it is physically compatible. This is the most common issue when upgrading to a newer CPU on an existing motherboard.
- ✗
B. The CPU cooler is not installed
Why it's wrong here
While running a CPU without a cooler will cause overheating, the system would typically still POST and may even show a brief splash screen before overheating protection kicks in. The complete lack of POST suggests a more fundamental issue.
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C. The RAM is incompatible with the new CPU
Why it's wrong here
RAM incompatibility can cause no POST, but it is less likely than BIOS incompatibility. The RAM that worked with a previous CPU may not work with a newer one, but the scenario specifically describes a CPU upgrade, and BIOS issues are far more common for the CPU itself.
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D. The power supply is insufficient
Why it's wrong here
An insufficient power supply might cause instability or shutdowns under load, but it typically does not prevent the system from POSTing. Fans spinning and power being delivered indicate the PSU is providing power. A complete lack of POST is more likely related to CPU/motherboard communication.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
BIOS/UEFI Update Procedures
Key term
RISC
RISC is a CPU design philosophy that uses a small, highly optimized set of instructions to execute operations quickly and efficiently.
Key term
Power-on Self-test
The Power-on Self-test (POST) is a diagnostic process a computer runs immediately when you turn it on to check that essential hardware components are working correctly before loading the operating system.
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