220-1201 Hardware Practice Question
A user reports that their desktop PC randomly shuts down during intensive gaming sessions. The technician notices the CPU fan is spinning, but the air coming out of the rear exhaust is very hot. The system event log shows a critical thermal shutdown. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a spinning fan means the CPU is being cooled adequately, overlooking the role of thermal paste in heat transfer.
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
✓
The thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink has dried out.
The critical thermal shutdown and hot exhaust air indicate the CPU is overheating. Even with the fan spinning, dried thermal paste reduces heat transfer, causing the CPU to overheat under load. Reapplying thermal paste restores efficient heat dissipation. Other issues like PSU or case airflow are less likely given the thermal evidence.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The CPU cooler is not compatible with the CPU socket.
Why it's wrong here
If the cooler were incompatible, it likely wouldn't mount properly, and the system might not boot or would overheat immediately. The fact that it runs for a while before shutting down suggests the cooler is mounted but inefficient. Compatibility issues would typically be evident at installation. The symptoms point to degraded thermal interface material rather than an incompatible cooler.
- ✓
The thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink has dried out.
Why this is correct
Dried thermal paste reduces heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink, causing the CPU to overheat even if the fan spins. The hot exhaust air indicates the heatsink is getting heat but not efficiently enough, leading to thermal shutdown under load. Reapplying thermal paste is a common fix. The fan spinning does not guarantee proper heat dissipation if the paste is degraded.
- ✗
The case fans are not providing enough airflow.
Why it's wrong here
Inadequate case airflow can contribute to overheating, but the hot exhaust air suggests heat is being expelled, so airflow is present. If case fans were the sole issue, the CPU heatsink might still be cool. The critical thermal shutdown points to the CPU itself overheating, likely due to poor contact with the heatsink. While case airflow is important, it is not the most likely cause here.
- ✗
The power supply is failing under load.
Why it's wrong here
A failing power supply can cause random shutdowns, but it would not typically trigger a thermal shutdown event. The event log specifically indicates a thermal issue, and the hot exhaust confirms overheating. A PSU problem would more likely cause sudden power loss without thermal warnings. The technician should address the thermal issue first, as it is directly evidenced.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 220-1201 question is part of Courseiva's 871-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.