I'm using the same chip as you, got it just over 2 weeks ago. Stick a after market cooler on it and it will clock to 2.97ghz easy with 10degree more temp on it. Mine runs at 2.97ghz all day, no crashes just smooth, quiet awesomeness!

I only run a 7950GT card and I get 35FPS on main and I throttle the alts to 15. I have set a macro on them to change to 5 in cities and the main to 25fps.

FYI, I'm using a ASUS mobo.