Intel Xeon E3-1225 V2 Ivy Bridge 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo) 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Server Processor BX80637E31225V2

Pros: Solid, reliable, full-featured 4-core Intel. 8mb cache, all the virtual knobs, top-of-the-line ivy bridge graphics. Runs reasonably cool with stock cooler, testing with a 4-core prime95 load, temps hold under 68 degrees centigrade. Okay, so I'm not a gamer, but this chip makes for a very sweet "mini-xeon" workstation in my itx build. Used for heavy programming/compiling, testing/qa, virtual machines, photo-editing, and the usual desktop/multimedia usage as well. All systems go!

Cons: Lack of hyper-threading is the only feature missing from this entry-level xeon. Often this chip is not in stock, I had to wait at least a week for it to show up again. Almost gave up!

Other Thoughts: If you are not overclocking, this is a better-featured chip for the same money when compared to the i5-3570k. Used in this build:

Case: Cooler Master Elite 120
Mobo: Asrock H77M-ITX
RAM: Kingston 8gb HyperX grey series
PSU: PC P&C 400w Silencer Mk III
etc...

Of course one would need to find a motherboard with C216 chipset to get ECC memory support, but those are thin on the ground. Otherwise, the Asrock H77 supports the features of this chip perfectly and is explicitly noted in their cpu compatibility chart.

I am intentionally using the onboard HD4000 graphics, saves buying a separate graphics card. 3d and streaming video are covered, runs stuff like XBMC perfectly. Just beware: ivy bridge stuff is still a little bleeding-edge on the un!x/linux front. Stick with recent linux kernels (3.5+) and intel video drivers (2.20+) and you will be fine. For example, Sabayon 10 is perfect out of the box, *buntu 12.10 will be okay as well.

Now I'm just hoping FreeBSD gets their ivy bridge stuff sorted out soon (9.1RC1 currently runs fine in a virtualbox, but fails after installing to hardware...)

Pros: Running strong on an intel C216 chipset motherboard from Asus (the only one). Used as a file server w/ ARECA 1280ML card and 20 each 1TB WD enterprise level HDDs. Everything is rock solid running WHS 2011 SP1. Great for a full home backup of 6 computers and a center for all DVD/Blu-ray/TV, and music recordings.

Great not to have to buy a video card that wouldn't get used.

Cons: None

Pros: Intel

Cons: compatibility

Other Thoughts: Be careful if you're using Intel motherboards and the 'V2' versions of Ivy Bridge processors. I tried using this with the Intel S1200BTL and discovered that it didn't work. After reading the fine print on the Intel website, I found the following blurb:

"Support for these processors requires board revision S1200BTL PBA E98681-352 or higher, S1200BTS E98683-352 or higher, BIOS revision 35 or later. All systems with board revisions before the above PBA#'s do not support these processors"

In other words, you apparently have to use the S1200BTLR ("R" stands for refresh?) or the S1200BTSR. By the way, "these" processors include the following:

E3-1280V2
E3-1270V2
E3-1275V2
E3-1240V2
E3-1245V2
E3-1230V2
E3-1220V2
E3-1225V2
E3-1220LV2

Pros: Installed this in a Asrock Z77 Extreme 4. Stock heatsink was just ok. I installed a Coolermaster 212 EVO, and the idles were about 29-31c on each core, load aprox 40.. P4000 on the cpu and VirtuMVP w/6950 2gig is awesome. I opted for a Xeon, just because...Thanks Egg for the delivery and all that you've done...

Cons: NONE

Other Thoughts: Friend of mine, said it wouldn't make much of a gaming proc, but Skyrim and all are outstanding!!