A server technician installs a new CPU and heat sink in a server and reconnects all of the cables. After powering on the server, the technician discovers the server is now overheating. The…

A fan shroud is critical for directing the airflow from the fans specifically over the CPU heatsink and other hot components, ensuring efficient cooling. If the shroud is missing or improperly installed, air can bypass the heatsink, leading to insufficient heat dissipation and overheating even if the fans are operational.

Incorrect power supply voltage would typically manifest as system instability, component damage, or failure to power on, rather than directly causing an overheating CPU with working fans.

While insufficient thermal dissipation by the heatsink is possible, it is less likely the *next* most likely cause after checking fans, assuming the new heatsink is appropriately sized for the CPU; often, an airflow issue (like a missing shroud) is a more common installation oversight.

Excessive power consumption by the CPU could cause overheating, but modern CPUs have thermal throttling. If the CPU is overheating despite working fans and a correctly sized heatsink, an airflow efficiency problem, such as a missing shroud, is a more probable immediate cause.