ZisaLog: Beginner’s Guide to Building a Custom PC 
A CPU cooler is an essential component for the stable operation of a computer.
To give the conclusion first, a CPU cooler is an absolutely necessary part, and it is almost never an option to not install one.
The CPU generates a large amount of heat during operation, and if this heat is not properly cooled, there is a risk of performance degradation, system instability, and in the worst case, hardware failure.
Especially when using a high-performance CPU or running heavy workloads, insufficient cooling can make the entire computer unstable.
This article explains in detail the necessity and role of a CPU cooler.
- A CPU cooler is essential for stable PC operation
- CPUs can reach high temperatures of 70–90°C under heavy load
- High temperatures cause performance drops due to thermal throttling
- In the worst case, the system will shut down as a safety measure to prevent damage
- Prolonged high temperatures can shorten the lifespan of components
- A CPU cooler is absolutely necessary for stability and work efficiency
This article also explains how to choose a CPU cooler from the perspectives of type, performance, and compatibility.
≫ Related article: How to Choose a CPU Cooler for a Custom PC [Performance / Features / Compatibility]
Select PC parts and online stores to instantly generate an estimate, check compatibility, and calculate power requirements. You can save up to five different builds, making it easy to try out multiple configurations.
≫ Tool：PC Parts Estimation & Compatibility Check Tool
Table of Contents
About the Necessity of a CPU Cooler
The necessity of a CPU cooler will be explained step by step.
A CPU Cooler is Absolutely Necessary
A custom PC is made up of about 10 different PC parts, and among them, the graphics card, optical drive, and expansion cards are optional components.
However, a CPU cooler is a part that must absolutely be installed.
Some CPUs come with a cooler included (stock CPU cooler / retail cooler), so purchasing one is not always required, but installing a CPU cooler is essential.
As the name suggests, a CPU cooler is a cooler for cooling the CPU.
The CPU is a crucial part often called the brain of the computer, and it generates a lot of heat during operation.
Especially under heavy load, even with a CPU cooler, the CPU can reach temperatures of 70–90°C.
Many CPUs have features such as “thermal throttling,” which forcibly lowers the clock speed when the temperature rises too high, and “thermal protection,” which ultimately shuts down the system to protect the components.
To prevent these situations, a CPU cooler is absolutely necessary. Furthermore, it is important to use a CPU cooler that can properly cool the CPU according to its performance and heat output.
About CPU Heat Generation
As mentioned earlier, the CPU is a PC part that can quickly reach high temperatures of 70–90°C, and its heat generation greatly affects the computer’s performance and lifespan.
The CPU consumes electricity when performing calculations, and as a result, it generates heat.
If this heat is not properly managed, the CPU temperature will rise, and performance may temporarily drop, and in the worst case, the CPU may fail.
In particular, high-performance CPUs generate more heat, so cooling is very important. A CPU cooler is necessary to efficiently cool this heat.
With proper cooling, the CPU can continue to deliver stable, high performance.
Performance Degradation and Instability Due to High Temperatures
When the CPU gets too hot, its performance drops and operation becomes unstable, which can cause the computer to slow down or suddenly shut down.
Especially when performing heavy tasks or gaming, the CPU generates a lot of heat, so if cooling is insufficient, it will quickly become hot.
A CPU cooler plays an important role in preventing these performance drops and instability.
With proper cooling, the CPU can perform at its best and maintain stable operation.
Specific Problems Caused by Insufficient CPU Cooling
This section explains the problems caused by insufficient CPU cooling.
Performance Drop Due to Thermal Throttling
Thermal throttling is a function that automatically lowers the CPU’s clock speed to prevent overheating, so the temperature does not rise any further.
When it is said that performance temporarily drops as the temperature rises, this refers to thermal throttling.
When thermal throttling occurs, the clock speed will not increase until the CPU temperature drops, resulting in lower performance.
To prevent this, it is necessary to cool the CPU properly.
In other words, by installing a CPU cooler—more specifically, a CPU cooler with cooling performance suitable for the CPU’s heat output—the CPU can “continuously maintain” its original high performance during tasks.
System Forced Shutdown
Insufficient CPU cooling can cause the system to shut down forcibly.
First, as a countermeasure against rising temperatures, the previously mentioned thermal throttling occurs.
Even if the temperature rises, lowering the clock speed helps prevent further temperature increases, allowing the computer to keep running as much as possible, even with reduced performance.
However, if the CPU continues to overheat even with thermal throttling, thermal protection will force the computer to shut down.
Prolonged high temperatures can physically damage the semiconductors and circuits inside the CPU.
When the CPU’s silicon chip is exposed to high temperatures, it can expand or deform, and in the worst case, the circuits may short out and be completely destroyed.
In addition, not only the CPU but also surrounding components such as the motherboard’s power circuits, VRMs, temperature-sensitive capacitors, and memory can be put under excessive stress, which may cause them to fail.
Thermal protection is the final safeguard to prevent such damage.
While forced shutdowns can prevent the worst-case scenario of hardware failure, repeated forced shutdowns may damage system files and make the computer unable to start.
To avoid this, it is necessary to install an appropriate CPU cooler.
Shortened Hardware Lifespan and Failure
Even if direct failure is prevented by forced shutdowns due to thermal protection, continued high temperatures can shorten the lifespan of the CPU and surrounding parts if a CPU cooler with insufficient cooling performance (not suitable for the CPU’s heat output) is used.
There are also temperature-sensitive capacitors around the motherboard.
Parts that should last much longer may fail in just one or two years, so it is important to install a CPU cooler with enough performance to cool the CPU properly even under heavy load.
Summary: A CPU Cooler is an Essential Part!
This article has explained the necessity of a CPU cooler, focusing on what happens if there is no CPU cooler or if the CPU gets too hot.
- A CPU cooler is essential for stable PC operation
- CPUs can reach high temperatures of 70–90°C under heavy load
- High temperatures cause performance drops due to thermal throttling
- In the worst case, the system will shut down as a safety measure to prevent damage
- Prolonged high temperatures can shorten the lifespan of components
- A CPU cooler is absolutely necessary for stability and work efficiency
A CPU cooler is an indispensable part for efficiently managing the heat generated by the CPU and preventing performance drops and system instability.
Also, even if a CPU cooler is installed, if it is not suitable for the CPU’s performance and heat output, the entire computer may become unstable.
In the worst case, there is a risk of failure or shortened component lifespan, so be sure to install a CPU cooler with appropriate cooling performance.
This article also explains how to choose a CPU cooler from the perspectives of type, performance, and compatibility.
≫ Related article: How to Choose a CPU Cooler for a Custom PC [Performance / Features / Compatibility]
Select PC parts and online stores to instantly generate an estimate, check compatibility, and calculate power requirements. You can save up to five different builds, making it easy to try out multiple configurations.
≫ Tool：PC Parts Estimation & Compatibility Check Tool
