the 50 degrees is running at partial load (very light stuff).
i have one case fan blowing in and one blowing out, and my case temp is very cool-- usually in the 20/30s.
the CPU fan is blowing onto the HS. I'm thinking that I might have to replace the fan, because i got a vantec stealth fan which admittedly doesn't move much air-- however, i didn't expect it to make that much of a difference!!!
i'm also thinking of reapplying some thermal paste-- perhaps i skimped too much?
thanks for all answers/advice