temp difference was substantial because i went with the EK waterblocks to cool the NB, SB, and VRMs. i used MX-2 on the NB and SB and used thermal pads on the VRMs. temps are the same as everyone else has reported.

i'd be careful heating your board up too much. have you tried the above mentioned idea of prying the heatpipe out of the SB cooler? a lot of people that have had the same problem you are having did that and it made it a little easier to get them off.