220-1101 Question 272
Single answerAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)A technician is upgrading an office desktop that uses an AMD Ryzen processor. The current motherboard has an older AM4 socket and an outdated BIOS. After installing a newer Ryzen CPU that is listed by AMD as compatible with the AM4 platform, the system powers on but does not complete POST, and there is no video output. The memory and power connections have already been verified. Which action should the technician take FIRST to resolve the issue?
- A
Update the motherboard BIOS to a version that supports the installed Ryzen CPU
- B
Replace the DDR4 memory with DDR5 memory because newer Ryzen CPUs require DDR5
- C
Disable Secure Boot in the UEFI settings so the processor can initialize properly
- D
Install a higher-wattage power supply because newer Ryzen CPUs cannot POST on older PSUs
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical AMD platform support knowledge commonly expected in A+ Core 1 scenarios. With AMD Ryzen processors, socket compatibility alone is not enough; motherboard firmware must also support the specific CPU generation and model. On the AM4 platform in particular, many motherboards require BIOS/UEFI updates to support later Ryzen CPUs even though the socket is unchanged. Best practice is to check the motherboard manufacturer's CPU compatibility list and required BIOS version before installation. AMD and motherboard vendors routinely document CPU support by BIOS revision, and failure to update firmware is a common real-world cause of no-POST conditions after a processor upgrade.
- A. Correct.
Correct. On AMD platforms, a newer Ryzen processor may physically fit in an AM4 socket but still require a motherboard BIOS/UEFI update before the board can recognize and initialize the CPU. A system that powers on without completing POST after a CPU upgrade is a classic symptom of unsupported BIOS firmware. Verifying CPU support and the required BIOS revision on the motherboard manufacturer's CPU support list is the appropriate first step.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. AM4-based Ryzen systems use DDR4 memory, not DDR5. DDR5 is associated with newer platforms such as AMD AM5, not standard AM4 boards. Replacing working DDR4 with DDR5 would not resolve the issue and would typically not even be possible because the memory slots are physically different.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Secure Boot affects operating system boot security, not basic CPU initialization or POST. If the system is not completing POST and there is no video output, the problem occurs before Secure Boot settings would matter.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. While inadequate power can cause instability or failure to boot in some cases, the scenario specifically states that power connections were verified and describes a common CPU support issue on AMD boards. A higher-wattage PSU is not the first or most likely fix when a supported-socket Ryzen CPU fails to POST on an older BIOS revision.