Can a overheating CPU shut down and corrupt Windows 7?

[MisterEd]

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.