Creative - try TRAS 7. NO appreciable performance drop, but ive noticed that on boot up every now and then I get a registry restore unless the TRAS is set to 7.

How hot is your northbridge getting? Try and touch the edge of the base of it to get an idea. If you have an IT7 northbridge cooler around it goes straight on, and with a little bending of fins the epox fan screws into it too. Helps loads at keeping the temp down.

PiLsY.