220-1201 · Question #380
A technician upgrades a CPU heat sink with a higher-performing model. While stress testing the computer, the technician finds that the CPU temperatures have drastically increased. Which of the…
The correct answer is D. Missing thermal paste. Whenever a CPU heat sink is removed or replaced, thermal paste must be reapplied. Thermal paste fills microscopic gaps between the CPU heat spreader and the heat sink, ensuring efficient heat transfer. Without it, there is a significant air gap, which acts as an insulator…
Question
A technician upgrades a CPU heat sink with a higher-performing model. While stress testing the computer, the technician finds that the CPU temperatures have drastically increased. Which of the following is most likely causing the issue?
Options
- ADecreased CPU voltage
- BHigher fan RPM
- CAirflow interruption
- DMissing thermal paste
How the community answered
(45 responses)- A20% (9)
- B11% (5)
- C4% (2)
- D64% (29)
Explanation
Whenever a CPU heat sink is removed or replaced, thermal paste must be reapplied. Thermal paste fills microscopic gaps between the CPU heat spreader and the heat sink, ensuring efficient heat transfer. Without it, there is a significant air gap, which acts as an insulator, causing CPU temperatures to rise dramatically even under light load. CompTIA A+ stresses thermal compound application as a key step in CPU cooling installation. The scenario indicates that temperatures increased drastically after upgrading to a better heat sink. A higher-performing heat sink should improve temperatures, not worsen them--unless a critical installation step was missed. Missing thermal paste is the most common cause of this symptom and easily explains the sudden overheating.
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