I forgot about this thread but since it got a bump I'll update it a bit.
The K8NS worked fine but I really wanted the CnQ option since it doesn't need to idle at 2g while waiting for something to do, so I got the Chinatech VNF3 which turned out to be a waste of time. It worked okay but the overall package wasn't too impressive and I couldn't get CnQ to work with it either. I'm using XP Pro with all the patches and updates and had CnQ enabled in the BIOS but never did get it to throttle back down. I have a feeling it may be the double sided RAM that I am using, as I have read that S754 boards don't like DS memory. It ran Prime 95 Torture Test for 22 hours without a problem but if I DL and install the Windows cpu driver from AMD it locks up on reboot - even at stock.... it did the same thing with the VNF board.
The VNF 3 also showed a much higher temp than the K8NS but I think the issue is with the sensors. One is closer to being right more than the other but I don't know which one. With the Zalman copper HS the K8NS runs 28C loaded with and 47 with the VNF, which still wasn't too high. I can't say the Chinatech was bad but everything seemed to fit and work better with the K8NS. It was either the board or operator error, but the VNF wasn't too happy with my controller card and I had a hell of a time getting it to boot up. I've had the same card for a year or so and it worked well in previous boards and perfectly fine in the K8NS. Last night I decided to move back to the K8NS and send the VNF back to Newegg. Just like the first install it fired up and installed windows without the slightest hiccup - with the controller card as well.
I wish I could get the CnQ to work but I am not about to invest more money in memory for a budget board when I have a gig in there that runs stable.
Thanks for the tips everone!