220-1101 Question 288
Single answerCPU architectureA small business wants to reuse several older desktop PCs as lightweight workstations. The systems have 64-bit capable processors installed, but when the technician checks Windows System Information on one machine, it shows an x86-based PC and only about 3.2 GB of 8 GB RAM is usable. The owner wants to run a 64-bit version of Windows so the full memory can be addressed. Which component or setting should the technician verify first to confirm the systems can support a 64-bit operating system?
- A
Whether the motherboard firmware and chipset support x64 operation and the 64-bit feature is enabled if applicable
- B
Whether the CPU fan is rated for a higher thermal design power than the current processor
- C
Whether the system has a discrete GPU with at least 4 GB of VRAM installed
- D
Whether the monitor and video cable support a 64-bit color depth mode
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical troubleshooting around CPU architecture rather than simple recall of terms like x86 and x64. In real support situations, a technician may encounter a system with a 64-bit capable CPU that is still running a 32-bit operating system. A 32-bit version of Windows commonly shows only around 3.2 GB to 4 GB of usable RAM because of 32-bit addressing limits and reserved address space for hardware. To move to a 64-bit OS, the technician should first confirm end-to-end platform compatibility: the CPU must support x64, and the motherboard firmware/chipset must also support it properly. CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives expect candidates to distinguish 32-bit and 64-bit CPU architecture and understand how platform compatibility affects OS installation and usable memory. Microsoft documentation for Windows installation and system requirements also emphasizes 64-bit processor support and appropriate firmware support when deploying a 64-bit edition of Windows.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A 64-bit capable CPU alone is not enough in a practical upgrade scenario. The technician should verify that the motherboard/firmware supports x64 operation and that any relevant BIOS/UEFI settings, such as Intel VT-x, AMD-V, NX/XD, or compatibility-related settings, are not preventing installation of a 64-bit OS. On A+ objectives, CPU architecture questions often require recognizing that the processor, motherboard, and firmware must all be compatible with the intended operating system. If the current OS is 32-bit, it can report the machine as x86-based even when the processor itself supports x64, so confirming platform support is the first step.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. CPU cooling capacity relates to thermal management and processor stability, not whether the platform can install or run a 64-bit operating system. A technician might pick this if thinking about hardware upgrades in general, but thermal design power does not determine x86 versus x64 OS support.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A discrete GPU and its VRAM capacity have no role in determining whether Windows can run in 32-bit or 64-bit mode. This distractor targets the misconception that memory limitations seen by the OS are mainly caused by graphics hardware. While some system memory can be reserved for integrated graphics, GPU memory does not enable 64-bit CPU architecture support.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Display color depth and monitor/cable compatibility are unrelated to CPU instruction set architecture. The term '64-bit' in this option refers to graphics color processing, which is a different concept from 64-bit CPU architecture and operating system support.