So I am planning to get a PS3 console....uh.....there is like 6 different ones out there....the 80GB ones are more expensive than the 300+gig ones....whats going on? What am I missing? WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST ONE?
EDIT: Keep in mind cheapest includes figuring in the cost to repair system models that overheat or break continiously as well as potentially having to buy a new one when an old one completely breaks, etc.
Unless you criminally mistreat your system and/or do stuff you shouldn't, the PS3 is incredibly reliable, with the Slim models being the most reliable. The fail rate is roughly 10%? A point or two higher than the Wii and way below 360s. The cheapest ones at this point are probably either the fat models without Backwards Compatibility, or the smaller of the initial Slim models, so in all you're better off with a Slim.
Not sure what the hell your ex did to fuck up her PS3, but proper air flow and not leaving it on constantly are easy pointers. Reflowing/reapplying paste has consistantly been shown to be a temporary fix at best if you mess up your system/it breaks, and for the most part if you don't know what you're doing pre-emptively replacing the paste can easily fuck up the system.
That said, a marathon gaming session or two won't hurt it. I've done it before too. Just Don't Be Stupid.