- A
DVI-D dual-link
Why wrong: DVI-D dual-link supports a maximum resolution of 2560x1600 at 60 Hz, which is insufficient for the 3440x1440 resolution of the ultrawide monitor. Therefore, it cannot provide the best image quality.
- B
HDMI 1.4
HDMI 1.4 supports 3440x1440 at up to 75 Hz, which is sufficient for the monitor's typical 60 Hz refresh rate, making it the best available option.
- C
VGA
Why wrong: VGA is an analog connection that supports much lower resolutions and is not suitable for 3440x1440, resulting in poor image quality.
- D
DisplayPort
Why wrong: DisplayPort is not available on the PC's GPU, so it cannot be used even though it would be the best overall choice if available.
Question 931 of 1,020
Choosing the Right Connection for an Ultrawide 3440x1440 Monitor
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A customer wants to use a 34-inch ultrawide monitor (3440x1440) with their desktop PC. The PC has an older GPU with a DVI-D dual-link port and an HDMI 1.4 port. Which connection should the technician recommend for the best image quality?
Quick Answer
The answer is HDMI 1.4. For an ultrawide monitor at 3440x1440 resolution, HDMI 1.4 provides sufficient bandwidth to deliver a 60Hz refresh rate, while DVI-D dual-link can technically match that bandwidth but lacks the audio support and modern compatibility that HDMI offers. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of display interface bandwidth limits and resolution support—a common trap is assuming DVI is always inferior, when in fact dual-link DVI can handle this resolution, but HDMI is the more versatile and future-proof choice for modern monitors. Remember the memory tip: “HDMI handles high-res with harmony; DVI dual-link does the job but lacks the extras.”
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
✓
HDMI 1.4
HDMI 1.4 supports 3440x1440 at up to 75 Hz, which is sufficient for the monitor's typical 60 Hz refresh rate. DVI-D dual-link is limited to 2560x1600 at 60 Hz and cannot deliver the full 3440x1440 resolution. Therefore, HDMI 1.4 provides the best image quality among the available ports.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DVI-D dual-link
Why it's wrong here
DVI-D dual-link supports a maximum resolution of 2560x1600 at 60 Hz, which is insufficient for the 3440x1440 resolution of the ultrawide monitor. Therefore, it cannot provide the best image quality.
- ✓
HDMI 1.4
Why this is correct
HDMI 1.4 supports 3440x1440 at up to 75 Hz, which is sufficient for the monitor's typical 60 Hz refresh rate, making it the best available option.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
VGA
Why it's wrong here
VGA is an analog connection that supports much lower resolutions and is not suitable for 3440x1440, resulting in poor image quality.
- ✗
DisplayPort
Why it's wrong here
DisplayPort is not available on the PC's GPU, so it cannot be used even though it would be the best overall choice if available.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that DVI-D dual-link is always superior to HDMI for high resolutions, but candidates forget that DVI-D dual-link's maximum resolution is 2560x1600, not 3440x1440.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HDMI 1.4 uses TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) with a maximum bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps, which is sufficient for 3440x1440 at 60 Hz with 8-bit color depth. The monitor's native resolution requires a horizontal pixel count of 3440, which exceeds the DVI-D dual-link's maximum horizontal resolution of 2560 due to its single-link pixel clock limitations. In real-world scenarios, users might mistakenly assume DVI-D dual-link is superior for high resolutions, but HDMI 1.4's higher bandwidth and digital signal integrity make it the better choice here.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Display Devices — study guide chapter
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Display Devices practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Display Devices — This question tests Display Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: HDMI 1.4 — HDMI 1.4 supports 3440x1440 at up to 75 Hz, which is sufficient for the monitor's typical 60 Hz refresh rate. DVI-D dual-link is limited to 2560x1600 at 60 Hz and cannot deliver the full 3440x1440 resolution. Therefore, HDMI 1.4 provides the best image quality among the available ports.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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