okay, so i pulled the 8800 apart and checked out what was used, i cannot just replace the thermal pads with paste due to a gap that is generated by the height of the graphics chip and the different heights of some of the other cooled components and chips on the board, i did however remove the the almost hard, thick thermal paste used from factory and changed it with somethinner, and im sure better thermal grease from thermaltake, im now watching the temps to make sure all gaps have been filled.
i however have not seen any improvments from changing the pastes, but i do feel better knowing the paste from factory is no longer smeared all over the shop.

let me know of your own experiences with the standard cooler and maybe getting lower temps with it.