220-1101 Question 261
Single answerInformation Technology eXtended (ITX)A technician is upgrading a small office desktop that uses an ITX motherboard. The user wants to add a dedicated graphics card for dual 4K displays, but the current case is very compact and the existing power supply has limited wattage and no auxiliary PCIe power connectors. Which action should the technician take FIRST to determine whether the upgrade is feasible?
- A
Verify that the ITX motherboard has an available PCIe x16 expansion slot and that the case and power supply can physically and electrically support the graphics card
- B
Replace the motherboard with an ATX board because ITX systems do not support dedicated graphics cards
- C
Install a USB-to-HDMI adapter instead, because ITX systems cannot drive dual 4K displays with a graphics card
- D
Upgrade the monitor cables to HDMI 2.1 before checking any internal hardware compatibility
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical understanding of ITX systems in an upgrade scenario. In A+ Core 1, technicians are expected to recognize motherboard form factors and the real-world constraints associated with smaller systems. Mini-ITX motherboards are significantly smaller than ATX and typically provide fewer expansion options, often just one PCIe x16 slot. That does not mean they cannot support discrete graphics; instead, the main concerns are chassis clearance, airflow, and power supply capacity. Industry best practice when adding a GPU is to verify motherboard slot availability, case dimensions, PSU wattage, and required PCIe power connectors before installation. These checks align with standard PC build and upgrade procedures documented by motherboard, case, PSU, and GPU manufacturers.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Mini-ITX systems commonly include a single PCIe x16 slot, but physical space and power delivery are frequent constraints. Before promising the upgrade, the technician should confirm slot availability, card length/height clearance, PSU wattage, and whether the PSU provides the required PCIe power connectors. This is the practical first step in a compact-form-factor system.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. ITX is a motherboard form factor, not a limitation that prevents discrete GPUs. Many Mini-ITX boards support a dedicated graphics card through a PCIe x16 slot. Replacing the motherboard with ATX would also likely require a different case and possibly other components, making this an unnecessary assumption.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. USB display adapters may be used in some situations, but they are not the first step when the requirement is specifically to add a dedicated GPU. This option reflects the misconception that ITX systems cannot use graphics cards, which is false. The technician must first validate compatibility of the requested upgrade.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Cable capability can matter for 4K output, but checking monitor cables before verifying the internal hardware is premature. If the card does not fit in the case or the PSU cannot support it, cable upgrades will not solve the primary problem.