TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

When installing a PCIe video card that has connectors for two monitors, which must you do if the card's fan doesn’t draw power from the PCIe bus?

1. Connect a 6-or 8-pin power connector to the video card

2. Use a USB power adapter

3. It doesn't need any additional power supply

4. Connect the monitors directly to the motherboard

The correct answer is: Connect a 6-or 8-pin power connector to the video card

When installing a PCIe video card that requires additional power for its fan and does not draw this power from the PCIe bus, the correct step is to connect a 6-or 8-pin power connector to the video card. Many higher-performing video cards require supplemental power to operate effectively, especially if they are designed to drive multiple displays or manage demanding graphics tasks. These connectors (6-pin or 8-pin) provide a direct power supply from the computer’s power supply unit (PSU) to ensure that the video card receives the necessary energy for its operations, including running the cooling fan and maintaining optimal performance under load. Failing to connect this additional power can lead to system instability, overheating, or even prevent the video card from functioning altogether. The other options do not adequately address the power requirement of the video card. A USB power adapter may not provide sufficient power for the demands of the video card; simply relying on the PCIe bus without additional power could lead to failure; connecting the monitors directly to the motherboard bypasses the video card entirely, which defeats the purpose of installing a dedicated graphics solution.