easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A user complains that their computer shuts down…
A user complains that their computer shuts down unexpectedly after a few minutes of gaming. You check the CPU temperature and find it is 105°C. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
Degraded thermal paste
High CPU temperature under load indicates a cooling problem. The most common cause is dried or improperly applied thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink. This prevents efficient heat transfer, leading to thermal throttling or shutdown.
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 RAM
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient RAM primarily causes the operating system to rely heavily on virtual memory (paging file) on the storage drive. This increased disk I/O can lead to significant system slowdowns, application crashes, or even system freezes. However, it does not directly cause the CPU to generate excessive heat or reach critical temperatures that would trigger an emergency shutdown mechanism, which is typically a thermal protection response.
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Failing power supply
Why it's wrong here
A failing power supply unit (PSU) can cause unexpected shutdowns due to unstable or insufficient power delivery to system components. It might manifest as intermittent power loss or complete system failure. While a faulty PSU can lead to system instability, it does not directly cause the CPU to generate excessive heat or reach critical temperatures like 105°C. The CPU's temperature is primarily determined by its workload and the efficiency of its cooling solution, not the stability of the input voltage within normal operating ranges.
- ✓
Degraded thermal paste
Why this is correct
Degraded thermal paste significantly reduces the efficiency of heat transfer from the CPU's integrated heat spreader (IHS) to the CPU cooler's cold plate. Over time, thermal paste can dry out, crack, or pump out, creating air gaps that act as insulators. This poor thermal conductivity causes the CPU to rapidly accumulate heat under load, leading to dangerously high temperatures (e.g., 105°C) that trigger the CPU's thermal throttling and emergency shutdown mechanisms to prevent permanent damage.
- ✗
Outdated BIOS
Why it's wrong here
An outdated BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) can lead to various system issues, including hardware incompatibility, incorrect component recognition, or stability problems. It might prevent the system from booting correctly or cause certain peripherals to malfunction. While an outdated BIOS could potentially mismanage fan speeds in some rare cases, it is highly unlikely to be the direct cause of a CPU reaching extreme temperatures like 105°C and triggering an emergency shutdown due to thermal overload.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.