Overheating/possibly damaged CPU - need advice :)

CPU: Intel e2180 dual-core, MB: Abit IP35-E (2mhz), GFX: ATI 1950x Pro

About 3 months ago I removed the stock heatsink/fan from my cpu to clean a thick amount of dust away - at the time I didn't realise I had to remove the existing pad/grease and add some new paste, which I hadn't done till a few days ago.

I found if I turned down the CPU frequency to 1200 mhz, I was getting it to run (often getting warnings/shutting down while playing games); though it was usually hitting 60-80 degrees with load: rendering (video) was impossible and I had issues playing large movie files (e.g. h.264). Obviously letting it run like this for 3 months = very bad idea, I finally bought some new paste (Arctic Silver 5) a few days ago.

After applying it, Idle temperatures seem to be better than before (down from 50+ to about 32-40 degrees), but running anything cpu intensive pushes it all the way back up to 70-80). I followed the instructions from Arctic Silver (http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_intel_dual_wcap.pdf - thin line on the heatspreader across where the two cores are) and I'm fairly sure I've done it correctly. I used a CPU heatsink cleaner, non-lint computer wipes etc. to clean it fully - although part of the heatspreader did look sort of dark/faded.

The stock heatsink was extremely stubborn to put back in, and although each corner was fully engaged/twisted the right direction/pushed down, I'm wondering if it might not have made contact properly or if one corner is slightly off level. http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEOd7nQbuQ

This particular CPU is supposed to run completely stable with stock cooler/heatsink; and I have seen people suggest they can overclock it to 3.0ghz easily without upgrading the cooler/heatsink.


Anyway, I'll try cleaning off the thermal paste and applying it again to see if it makes a difference, though I'm doubtful any difference would be enough since load temperatures are hitting 80 degrees.

- Is it likely that the CPU is damaged and will always have heat issues from now on? e.g. core > heatspreader not transferring heat properly anymore.

- Should I try buying a new heatsink/cooler to see if that improves it; or would it be better to try buying a new CPU?

- What would be a budget CPU for upgrading - since I'd rather not upgrade everything else at once, unless there's a reasonable chance that there might be damage to the Motherboard socket as well?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

*I have a case fan and 'System' temperature is at 30-32 degrees - which I assume is fine.