- A
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and a DVI port for the other
Why wrong: While this works, DVI may not support audio and is older; HDMI and DisplayPort are preferred for modern monitors.
- B
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and the DisplayPort for the other
Both are digital, support high resolutions, and are the best choices for image quality and compatibility.
- C
Use both DVI ports for the monitors
Why wrong: DVI is older and may not support the same color depth or audio; using HDMI and DisplayPort is superior.
- D
Use a DisplayPort splitter to run both monitors from the single DisplayPort
Why wrong: A splitter mirrors the display, not extends it, so both monitors would show the same image.
Question 644 of 1,020
Choosing the Best Video Card Ports for a Dual Monitor Configuration
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 technician is installing a new video card in a desktop PC used for graphic design. The card has one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and two DVI ports. The user wants to connect two 1920x1080 monitors. Which combination of ports and cables will provide the best image quality and support for both monitors?
Quick Answer
The answer is to use the HDMI port for one monitor and the DisplayPort for the other. This combination provides the best image quality because both HDMI and DisplayPort are fully digital interfaces that natively support 1920x1080 resolution with excellent color accuracy, which is critical for graphic design work. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of modern display connectivity and signal types—specifically that digital ports (HDMI, DisplayPort) are superior to analog or legacy digital options like DVI, even when DVI is technically digital. A common trap is assuming you must use both DVI ports because they are available, but DVI is less common on modern monitors and may require adapters, while HDMI and DisplayPort are the standard for best video card ports for a dual monitor setup. Remember the memory tip: “Digital Duo beats DVI double”—always prioritize two native digital connections for dual monitors to ensure the highest quality and simplest cabling.
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
✓
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and the DisplayPort for the other
The DisplayPort and HDMI ports both support digital video and audio, and at 1920x1080 resolution, both can deliver excellent image quality. However, DisplayPort is the preferred choice for the primary monitor in a graphic design setup because it supports higher color depths and refresh rates over longer cable lengths, and it is the native interface for modern video cards. Using HDMI for one monitor and DisplayPort for the other allows both monitors to run at their native resolution without signal degradation, while DVI (especially single-link DVI) is limited to 1920x1080 at 60 Hz and lacks the bandwidth for higher color fidelity or future upgrades.
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.
- ✗
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and a DVI port for the other
Why it's wrong here
While this works, DVI may not support audio and is older; HDMI and DisplayPort are preferred for modern monitors.
- ✓
Use the HDMI port for one monitor and the DisplayPort for the other
Why this is correct
Both are digital, support high resolutions, and are the best choices for image quality and compatibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use both DVI ports for the monitors
Why it's wrong here
DVI is older and may not support the same color depth or audio; using HDMI and DisplayPort is superior.
- ✗
Use a DisplayPort splitter to run both monitors from the single DisplayPort
Why it's wrong here
A splitter mirrors the display, not extends it, so both monitors would show the same image.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common pitfall in CompTIA A+ is assuming DVI is equivalent to HDMI or DisplayPort. In reality, DVI has bandwidth limitations (especially single-link) and lacks support for newer features like higher refresh rates and color depths, making HDMI and DisplayPort superior choices for modern graphic design setups.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A splitter mirrors the display, not extends it, so both monitors would show the same image.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DisplayPort uses packetized data transmission similar to PCIe, allowing for higher bandwidth (up to 17.28 Gbps for DP 1.2) and support for multi-stream transport (MST), which enables daisy-chaining multiple monitors from a single port. In contrast, DVI uses a fixed TMDS clock and is limited to 165 MHz for single-link, capping resolution at 1920x1080 at 60 Hz without support for 10-bit color or HDR. For graphic design, color accuracy is critical, and DisplayPort's support for 30-bit color (Deep Color) and higher refresh rates ensures precise gradient rendering and reduced eye strain.
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
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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: Use the HDMI port for one monitor and the DisplayPort for the other — The DisplayPort and HDMI ports both support digital video and audio, and at 1920x1080 resolution, both can deliver excellent image quality. However, DisplayPort is the preferred choice for the primary monitor in a graphic design setup because it supports higher color depths and refresh rates over longer cable lengths, and it is the native interface for modern video cards. Using HDMI for one monitor and DisplayPort for the other allows both monitors to run at their native resolution without signal degradation, while DVI (especially single-link DVI) is limited to 1920x1080 at 60 Hz and lacks the bandwidth for higher color fidelity or future upgrades.
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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