CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) — Question 167

A user built a new PC with parts sourced from a popular online vendor. The system boots to the OS and basic browsing works, but whenever the user opens a 4K video or starts to play a game, the system immediately shuts down. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this issue?

Answer options

• A. The video card was installed in the wrong PCIe slot
• B. The CPU heat sink was attached without adequate thermal paste
• C. The SSD drives do not have enough Pagefile
• D. The system does not have enough RAM for 4K video

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is B because inadequate thermal paste can lead to overheating of the CPU, causing the system to shut down under heavy load, like 4K video or gaming. Options A, C, and D are less likely to cause an immediate shutdown; they could lead to performance issues but would not typically result in an instant power-off response.