Inspiron 14R N4010 overheating issues

Hi all,

I have an Inspiron 14R (N4010) laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium Service pack 1. It has an Intel Core i5 processor. It is almost 2 years old and it has been very faithful to me until now. I am a big gamer so aside from school, gaming is the main use for this computer. Around 2 months ago my battery's health got critical (not surprised since I run this computer almost 24/7) so I have been running my computer constantly connected. Almost simultaneously I also started noticing a striking reduction in performance coupled with an unbearable heat problem. I can't play games for more than 30 minutes because of the heat related performance dip.

I have considered treating the heating symptom by simply getting a cooling pad but I have noticed various people complain that it doesn't make a difference. Instead, I have decided to seek the more invasive option and get a complete internal cleaning and thermal paste replacement. In my previous laptop the fan and cooling apparatus was easily accessible via a compartment so cleaning it was a breeze. With my Inspiron 14R that is definitely not the case. I have the constant urge to open up the laptop myself and clean it out. However, I have never done such work before and I fear ruining my laptop. My question to the forum is: What are my options regarding the overheating problem? Is it feasible for an amateur to open and clean this laptop? Is it worth it to take it to a repair shop? Will a cooling pad be enough?

I do not wish to send out my laptop for repair as that would take weeks but I also don't want to risk ruining the laptop by doing it myself. Any guidance would be appreciatd