Lafiel on 16 February 2010
@ DraconianAC )
I think a symptom is the fans kicking in much earlier than when the unit was new as it's a problem with the cooling, which leads to a permanent deformation of important solder joints.
I'd recommend you to replace the thermal paste as you have experience in it, but if you don't have any silver left you really should use the way better and easier to handle (and often cheaper) Arctic Cooling MX-2 or MX-3 paste.
A good guide how to open the PS3 is gilksy's ylod guide on youtube - part one of six: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U70SgRDVcBo
Essay Pro