Should you reapply thermal paste after a certain time?

[PremiumG]

My 2100XP+ overclocked to 2000mhz, is no longer stable at that speed like it use to be 2 years ago. Should I reapply thermal paste or is that just the chip slowly croaking?

 

[furballi]

Reduce the FSB because a CPU will degrade over time.

 

[Zap]

Try getting a can of compressed air and cleaning out the CPU HSF. Also, check all fans in the system because fan bearings degrade and you'll lose airflow - both case fans and CPU fan.

 

[imported_bum]

Could it also be a dying power supply? (ie inconsistent voltage)