IT FundamentalsA+

Custom PC Configurations for CompTIA A+ 220-1101

Custom PC configurations match hardware components to specific workload requirements. CompTIA A+ 220-1101 tests the appropriate hardware configuration for gaming PCs, graphics workstations, audio/video editing stations, virtualization workstations, thin clients, and NAS servers. Recommending the right configuration demonstrates understanding of how hardware specifications impact real-world performance.

6 min

1 sections · 7 exam key points

1 practice questions

Specialized PC Configuration Types

Gaming PC: high-performance GPU (primary factor for gaming — frame rate is GPU-limited). Fast CPU (6+ cores, high single-thread performance). Fast RAM (DDR4/DDR5-3200+, 16–32 GB). Fast NVMe SSD for quick game load times. High-wattage PSU (750W+ for high-end GPU). Good cooling (CPU cooler, case airflow). High-refresh-rate display (144Hz+). Sound card optional — most gaming audio is adequate from onboard.

Graphic/CAD workstation: dedicated professional GPU (NVIDIA Quadro/RTX A-series, AMD Radeon Pro) with OpenGL/DirectX Compute support and ECC VRAM. Maximum RAM (64–128 GB for 3D rendering, large dataset manipulation). Fast multi-core CPU (8+ cores). Fast NVMe RAID or high-capacity NVMe storage. Color-accurate IPS/OLED calibrated display.

Audio/video editing workstation: fast CPU with many cores (video encoding scales with cores). Lots of RAM (32–64 GB — video editing loads whole sequences into RAM). Fast storage — NVMe SSD for project files, large secondary HDD/NAS for media library. Dedicated GPU (helps with GPU-accelerated rendering in Premiere, DaVinci Resolve). Calibrated color display. Quality audio interface (external USB/Thunderbolt audio interface for recording).

Virtualization workstation: maximum RAM (64–128 GB — each VM needs its own RAM allocation). Many CPU cores (more VMs run simultaneously). Fast NVMe storage (multiple VMs stored on SSDs for speed). Multicore CPU with VT-x/AMD-V enabled. Multiple NICs for separate VM network segments.

Thin client: low-power PC that connects to a remote server for computing resources. Minimal local CPU, RAM (2–4 GB), and storage (flash). Relies on server for applications (VDI — Virtual Desktop Infrastructure). Advantages: low cost, long lifespan, easy management, no local data storage (security benefit). Requires reliable network connection to function.

NAS (Network Attached Storage) device: dedicated file storage server. Many HDD bays (4, 6, 8+) for large storage capacity. RAID for redundancy. Low-power CPU (NAS tasks are not CPU-intensive). Runs specialized NAS OS (Synology DSM, QNAP, TrueNAS). Provides shared file storage and often additional services (media server, backup target, cloud sync).

Key exam facts — A+

Gaming PC: GPU first, then CPU, fast RAM, NVMe SSD, high-wattage PSU
Graphic workstation: professional GPU (Quadro/Radeon Pro), maximum RAM, calibrated display
Audio/video editing: many CPU cores, 32–64 GB RAM, fast NVMe + large secondary storage
Virtualization workstation: maximum RAM, many cores, VT-x/AMD-V enabled
Thin client: minimal hardware, relies on server — VDI, low cost, secure (no local data)
NAS: many HDD bays, RAID, low-power CPU, shared file storage for network
All custom builds: match PSU wattage to total component load + 20% headroom

Common exam traps

A high-end gaming PC is also the best workstation for video editing

Gaming and professional workstation GPUs serve different purposes. Gaming GPUs (NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon RX) are optimized for rasterized 3D graphics. Professional workstation GPUs (NVIDIA Quadro/RTX A-series) are optimized for precision floating-point compute, OpenGL professional mode, CAD applications, and often have ECC VRAM. For video editing, a gaming GPU often works well (GPU-accelerated encoding), but for CAD/3D design requiring professional GPU certifications, a workstation GPU is required

Practice questions — Custom PC Configs

These questions are representative of what you will see on A+ exams. The correct answer and explanation are shown immediately below each question.

Q1.A company wants to deploy 50 desktops for call center agents who only use web-based CRM software and email. Budget is limited and security requires no local data storage. Which configuration best meets these requirements?

A.High-end gaming PCs with large SSDs

B.Full-featured workstations with 16 GB RAM and NVMe storage

C.Thin clients connecting to a VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) server

D.NAS servers at each desk

Explanation: Thin clients are the optimal solution: low hardware cost per unit, no local data storage (all data stays on the server — meets security requirement), easy centralized management (update once on the server, all clients updated), and low maintenance since thin clients have minimal hardware to fail. Web-based CRM and email require no local processing power — all compute runs on the VDI server. The reliable network connection requirement is easily met in a call center environment.

Frequently asked questions — Custom PC Configs

What is the difference between a NAS and a SAN?

NAS (Network Attached Storage): shared file storage accessed over a standard network via file protocols (SMB/CIFS for Windows, NFS for Linux). Users access NAS as a network drive. NAS is managed at the file level. Best for: file sharing, personal cloud, media storage, backup. SAN (Storage Area Network): dedicated high-speed network (Fibre Channel or iSCSI) that presents storage as block devices directly to servers — the server sees it as a local disk. SAN is managed at the block level. Best for: databases, virtual machine storage, applications requiring high IOPS. A+ covers NAS awareness; SAN is enterprise-level beyond typical A+ scope.

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