Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 69W BX80637E31230V2 Server Processor

Pros: The Ultimate processor solution. This thing is an i7 without the useless bells and whistles that go unused in a gaming rig. For the price of an i5, you get the hyperthreading without the added bulk of integrated graphics, which means cooler CPU, and less power needed. I use this to play everything from GPU bound games like BF3, to CPU bound games like WoW, and it doesn't flinch. I recommend this to anyone building a gaming rig. you just can't beat the price/vs performance.

Cons: Having to explain to your friends that you have a Xeon.

Overall Review: Why are you still reading, when you could be in checkout buying this.

Pros: Cheap, Hyperthreading, Virtualization extensions

Cons: CPU is acting weird now and not all features work. The system boot loops when it starts doing any real work(usually when it starts loading the OS). If I disable the Turboboost and SpeedStep features, the CPU works fine.

Overall Review: I originally used this in a Tech Lab setup as a VM Host, but since it isn't as reliable now, it has been "downgraded" to a NAS system.

So it still works for my needs, but this system is primarily a NAS now which does some occasional video encoding/conversion, so would be nice if SpeedStep was working so it wasn't using as much power when it is just hosting files... I don't really want to underclock it manually(which I can) due to the need for the extra speed for the conversions. Luckily this CPU isn't too power hungry, so it still works for what it does.