Can a overheating CPU shut down and corrupt Windows 7?

Has anyone had a overheating CPU that caused Windows 7 to become corrupted? Was the overheating caused by a stock cooler that was inadequate for the CPU it came with. Did upgrading to a better CPU cooler solve the CPU temperature problem?

I upgraded a computer. The hardware is discussed in this thread: Is anyone still using Windows 7? #457 .

I had a hard crash and had to reinstall Windows 7. I am not sure what caused the crash. I discussed whether updates or other software caused the crash in this thread: Can Simplix UpdatePack 7 conflict with Windows Updates?

Thinking back now I think the hard crash might have been caused by the "Power Plan" which caused the CPU to overheat.

The default power plan is "Balanced (recommended)".
With this plan the The AMD FX-8350 CPU is always at 4000MHz and sometimes boosts to 4200MHz. The idle temperature varies from 45-65C.
Note the AMD FX-8350 CPU has a maximum safe core (package) temperature limit of 61°C.

I did some benchmarks to use as a comparison with the old computer motherboard and CPU. I should have been watching closer but I think the CPU temp went as high as 70-85C or higher. When I came back the computer had shut down and wouldn't boot to Windows 7 anymore. I booted with the Windows 7 flash drive. System Repair failed. I had to reinstall Windows 7 Pro.

Through experimentation I found that I needed to use the power plan "Power Saver". It allows the CPU to idle at 1400MHz but boosts to 4000MHz if needed. The idle temperature is now about 35-45C. At 4000Hz the temp would still go up to 65C but came down as soon as the CPU speed dropped.

The temperature problem is probably caused by the AMD stock cooler. I have read that it is inadequate for the CPU I have. I want to replace it with a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler. That is if I can ever get one.

I bought a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler on Ebay on June 28. The seller estimated a delivery date of Thu July 2 - Wed July 8. Since it hasn't been shipped yet there is no way I will get it by July 8. The seller hasn't responded to any messages I sent him. If I don't get it by Thu July 9 I am entitled to contact Ebay for a refund. If it comes to that I will have to try to buy the cooler from another seller.

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Bench marks are going to push the processor to the limits to see what it can do no matter what the power setting is. You need to watch it carefully while doing that. I don't know about windows corrupting for sure but I suspect that it's possible.
I had a custom built computer once upon a time that kept overheating. Either dust would get in the heatsink or the heat sink fan went out. When it hit a certain temp the cpu turned off the computer to avoid damage. I'm surprised yours doesn't do the same. I've heard in general that stock heatsinks are bad news.

townsbg said:

Bench marks are going to push the processor to the limits to see what it can do no matter what the power setting is. You need to watch it carefully while doing that. I don't know about windows corrupting for sure but I suspect that it's possible.
I had a custom built computer once upon a time that kept overheating. Either dust would get in the heatsink or the heat sink fan went out. When it hit a certain temp the cpu turned off the computer to avoid damage. I'm surprised yours doesn't do the same. I've heard in general that stock heatsinks are bad news.

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I misspoke. Actually the computer just shut down without warning. I assume that was caused by the CPU temp getting to high.

The original motherboard failed a couple years ago. I bought a replacement on Ebay last week. With the former setup I had a Corsair H60 water cooler. It worked quite well with the AMD FX-8350 CPU. I bought it in early 2012. I could use it again but I am not sure I trust it because of its age. Would you trust an AIO water cooler that old?

BTW, I have another computer with an AMD Ryzen 3700X CPU. It has a Corsair H60 water cooler that I bought it in early 2017.

Note the stock CPU cooler came with the AMD FX-8350 CPU. I used to use it with an AMD Phenom II X4 960T CPU. It had no problem cooling it.

I suspect it's programmed to shutoff at a certain tempt to avoid damage like mine was.

On my very old laptop I had that problem earlier - by some long time very high use of CPU -
INTEL Core Duo 2 T5200 caused sometimes Windows shut down.
I consulted with local computer service maintenance and was instructed to make some
changes > I then cleaned properly a cooler and copper cooling tubes from it +
made original pattern cooling vents/strips on the bottom of the laptop a little wider
and placed additional small adhesive pads ( 3 mm, for furniture) under the original plastic
ones under the bottom, lifting laptop higher, thus increasing air access to the cooler.
In result I succeeded to decrease CPU work temperature up to 5 degrees,
now 45 by idle and 60 - 65 degrees by 100 % CPU.
(Recommended by manufacturer 45 - 70 degrees, safe.)
No problems with Windows shut down since.