here is what i did.
after reading the directions on the tx-2 package, it says use twice the normal amount of other brands due to its makeup.
so normal application is the size of a grain of rice,
on the center of your cpu, just add enough that would equal 2 grains of rice.
then slap on your cooler and your ready to go.
be sure to clean off all that excessive thermal paste before you continue tho.
if this does not fix the problem, report your cpu fan speed to us. it should be running 2-2.5k (2,000-2,500) rpm's.
also, be sure this fan is facing either to the rear exhaust or the top panel exhaust if you have one. dont have it blowing down or toward your dvd drive.
also, just be sure to try for the lowest cpu voltage you can run stable @.
i know for sure you can lower it to atleast 1.25 and be stable @ 3.2GHz
I get random resets and cant pass any amount of time in prime 95 under 1.42
could it be a faulty cpu? or a bad cooler?
cooler cant be bad, its pretty much like a statue @ this point. its not mechanical.
the fan on it however could be bad.
as far as being a bad cpu, that i cannot say for sure. just lower your voltage like i suggested before.