Motherboard Selection for Intel Core i9 Video Editing and VR Builds
A client requests a new computer for high-performance video editing and virtual reality applications. The technician must select a compatible motherboard for an Intel Core i9 processor and multiple graphics cards. Which of the following should the technician do to meet the client's needs?
Community Insight
This question tests motherboard and system build planning for high-power CPUs and multiple GPUs, and the trap is focusing on slot counts or integrated graphics instead of thermal capacity.
When building a workstation for an Intel Core i9 running video editing and VR workloads, the technician must account for extreme thermal output from the CPU and multiple add-in graphics cards. The correct action is selecting a cooling solution (and by extension a motherboard with adequate VRM and fan/headers support) rated for that heat load, because the other options either use obsolete memory, wrong slot types, or irrelevant integrated graphics.
Choosing C (two PCIe x1 slots) is the most common error: an PCIe x1 slot is too narrow and provides too little bandwidth for a graphics card, and multi-GPU VR/video editing builds require full-length PCIe x16 slots. B is also tempting but wrong because Core i9 platforms use DDR4/DDR5, not DDR3.
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
Option A is correct because an Intel Core i9 paired with multiple graphics cards produces very high thermal output, and a cooling system rated for that heat is a prerequisite for a stable video-editing and VR workstation. Motherboards supporting such builds are chosen partly for their cooling provisions: heatsinked VRMs, multiple fan/pump headers, and chassis airflow support, so "selecting a compatible motherboard" inherently means selecting one that can be adequately cooled. VR and long video-render sessions sustain maximum load for hours, so inadequate cooling leads to thermal throttling, blue screens, and shortened component life. Of all the listed actions, specifying adequate cooling is the only one that actually addresses a genuine requirement of this build.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B is wrong because modern Core i9 processors use DDR4 or DDR5 memory; DDR3 is physically notched differently, operates at lower voltage and speed, and is unsupported by i9 chipsets, so it would not even install. Option C is wrong because PCIe x1 slots are short, low-bandwidth slots intended for sound cards or network adapters—multiple graphics cards require full-length PCIe x16 slots, and some boards even require two or three x16-form-factor slots with adequate spacing for cooling. Option D is wrong because a video-editing and VR system uses discrete graphics cards; integrated graphics adds nothing meaningful here and is irrelevant to motherboard compatibility for multiple add-in GPUs. Additionally, high-end i9 platforms often support more reliable multi-GPU layouts on higher-end boards, making integrated graphics a non-factor in the decision.Community Comment Notes
One community commenter selected A and reasoned that "Core i9 + multiple GPUs = LOTS of heat," concluding that "You need strong cooling." That reasoning aligns with the analysis here: thermal capacity is the deciding factor among the four choices, and no other option addresses a real compatibility requirement of the described build.Exam Strategy
On A+ build questions, eliminate options that describe obsolete or mismatched technology (DDR3 with i9, PCIe x1 for GPUs) and integrated graphics when discrete GPUs are specified. The remaining physically necessary requirement—in this case, cooling for extreme heat—is the intended answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are two PCIe x1 slots not enough for multiple graphics cards?
PCIe x1 slots are short, low-bandwidth connectors for cards like NICs or sound cards. Graphics cards for VR and video editing require full-length PCIe x16 slots with far greater bandwidth and physical clearance.
Can an Intel Core i9 system use DDR3 RAM for compatibility?
No. Core i9 platforms support DDR4 or DDR5 only. DDR3 has a different key notch and lower voltage/speed, so it is physically and electrically incompatible with i9 motherboards.
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