tucker147
It's fine to game at those temps.
 
AS5 is a great paste (one of the best), I just don't use it due to it's long cure time.
 
It should fit, the socket looks to be far enough away from the slots to not block any (another thing you can do is put the fan on the opposite side and have it set to pull air through the heatsink instead).

bob16314
Tj Max for a Q9650 is 95C and that needs to be set in Real Temp and some other monitoring software because many default to a Tj Max of 100C and will throw of the temps, so make sure you check on that if you haven't already..If adjusted for the proper Tj Max, those core temps are in line with what one would expect from a stock cooler and nothing to be worried about like Tucker said, but of course cooler is better..You may be able to get the temps down more by adjusting the BIOS SmartFan settings in System Monitor -> Dynamic Fan Control..I always used SpeedFan on my 790i FTW with SmartFan disabled and all fans at 100% in BIOS and it worked real well..If you're manually setting CPU Core Voltage, it may be possible to lower it (without crashing) and reduce core temps too..I would however set Frequency/Voltage Control -> CPU Feature -> CPU Thermal Control to TM1 & TM2 as a safety precaution just incase temps might ever get out of hand for some reason..Enabling (if disabled) Intel SpeedStep and C1E Enhanced Halt State (power saving features) can get your idle temps down by letting the CPU downclock at idle and ramp up under load if you want it to.

bob16314
The 212 EVO is a decent cooler, it should fit (see specs for dimensions), and yes you need access behind the mobo or to remove it to install the backplate, which is typical..The install instructions are in the dowload section in the link above..Take care when installing the backplate of any cooler you buy that the proper side goes toward the mobo, many backplates come with insulating foam, plastic (which may not be apparently visible) or are marked on the mobo side..Don't put too much TIM on like some people are inclined to do..Cooler Master says to use a thin layer of TIM on the 212 EVO and Artic Silver 5 says to use an approximately 1mm thin line, I always just used a BB sized drop right in the center because it promotes more even coverage with hardly any risk of air pockets..Too much TIM is as bad or worse than not enough..Don't forget to check for and remove any protective cover (which may not be apparently visible) from a cooler's cold plate.
 
It's ok to run the CPU fan at 100% if you can stand the noise, but not necessary unless the temps are out of line, which yours aren't..If you install a program like SpeedFan, then you'll want to disable the SmartFan feature in BIOS.
 
I would set the CPU Alarm Temperature in Real Temp to 85C, 10C below Tj Max is the norm, that's up to you..You can also set the Alarm EXE to run the RTShutDown.bat for added safety when you're away from your system and leave it running..I set the GPU alarm for 5C below the Maximum GPU Temperature for my graphics card, but that's up to you, the Maximum GPU Temperature spec for a GTX 560 Ti 448 Core is 97C..Those are the settings I consider most important (along with the tray icons) in Real Temp, the others are up to you. 

bob16314
You're welcome..Yeah a BB (for a BB gun) sized drop or slightly smaller in the center is good, and let the tension from the heat sink spread it out on it's own..Yes, remove the TIM that's on it  now with rubbing/isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth, or a piece of coffee filter which works good too. 

bob16314

outlawedmatrix
Go ahead and spread some out on the Heatsink as well before applying the heatsink to the CPU?

Nope.

bob16314
Basically, Thermal Monitor (TM) allows the CPU to lower frequency and voltage only when PROCHOT is asserted, if Thermal Monitor is disabled the CPU could hit THERMTRIP, and that's a bad thing..Intel doesn't guarantee a CPU will recover from a THERMTRIP event.
 
Doubt you'll have any noticeable performance issues with SpeedStep being enabled, hard to say, if you do, just disable it..See SpeedStep/Problems when using SpeedStep and the links/notes.