easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer reports that their desktop computer…
A customer reports that their desktop computer randomly shuts down when they run video editing software. The system has a high-end GPU and 32 GB of RAM. During troubleshooting, you notice the CPU temperature quickly rises to 95°C under load. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates might focus on the high-end GPU or 32 GB RAM and assume a power supply issue, but the key clue is the CPU temperature reaching 95°C, which directly points to a cooling problem. CompTIA often tests the ability to differentiate between power, memory, and thermal symptoms.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
CPU cooler fan failure or poor thermal paste application
The CPU temperature rapidly reaching 95°C under load is a clear indicator of inadequate heat dissipation. This is most commonly caused by a failing CPU cooler fan or dried-out/improperly applied thermal paste, which prevents heat from transferring from the CPU to the heatsink. Since the system shuts down only under heavy load (video editing), the issue is thermal-related, not power or memory. The high-end GPU and 32 GB RAM are irrelevant to the CPU temperature spike.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Insufficient power supply wattage
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient power supply wattage is unlikely to be the direct cause of a high CPU temperature leading to thermal shutdown. While an underpowered PSU can lead to system instability, random reboots, or failure to power on, especially under heavy load, it does not inherently cause the CPU to generate more heat or prevent its cooling mechanism from functioning. The symptom of elevated CPU temperature specifically points to a problem with heat dissipation rather than inadequate power delivery to components.
- ✗
Faulty RAM module
Why it's wrong here
A faulty RAM module typically manifests through symptoms such as Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, application crashes, system freezes, or boot failures, particularly during memory-intensive operations. RAM issues do not directly contribute to the CPU generating excessive heat or impede the functionality of the CPU cooling system. Therefore, a high CPU temperature leading to thermal shutdown is not a characteristic symptom of defective memory.
- ✓
CPU cooler fan failure or poor thermal paste application
Why this is correct
A CPU cooler fan failure directly prevents the active removal of heat from the CPU's heatsink, causing heat to build up rapidly. Similarly, dried, cracked, or improperly applied thermal paste creates an inefficient thermal interface between the CPU's Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) and the heatsink, severely impeding the transfer of heat away from the processor. Both scenarios lead to the CPU quickly exceeding its safe operating temperature, triggering thermal throttling or an emergency shutdown to prevent permanent hardware damage.
- ✗
Outdated BIOS firmware
Why it's wrong here
Outdated BIOS firmware can cause various system issues, including compatibility problems with newer hardware, incorrect fan speed reporting, or suboptimal power management settings. However, it is rarely the direct cause of a CPU physically overheating due to a failure in the cooling system. While a BIOS update might sometimes improve fan control algorithms, the primary symptom of a high CPU temperature points more directly to a physical hardware cooling defect rather than a fundamental firmware configuration issue.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.