I just swapped out a Zalman 9700 for the 9700NT (with the 4-pin PWM connector) and replaced using Antec Formula 5 with Arctic Silver 5. The good news is that both my package and core temps dropped a few degrees. Initially, right after booting into windows my core temps were in the low 40s (27C ambient temp). Now they are in the high 30s. My concern is that I may need to reapply the thermal compound again. Three of my cores are running mid to high 30s and one is running at 27/28C. Values are from RealTemp. Granted I've only turned my computer on twice since installing the different heat sink and TIM so this may change as the compound "cures" but just curious if I should clean it all off and try again? I read the AS5 instructions although i didn't trust that I'd know if the whole heat spreader would receive TIM so I spread it around with cling wrap on my finger.