Okay update on where I'm at. I did the vdroop mod as explained by JohnnyBravo using a 1Kohm variable resistor. My VCore now stays within .002-.003 volts of where I set it at idle or load. There is a little flutter there, but it's nothing bad and it is certainly MUCH better then it was before.

This helped get down a little on VCore required to reach certain clocks, but it didn't fix the fact that my E8400 still takes more voltage to reach some of the clocks people here are seeing.

I called over to Microcenter where I got the cpu and mentioned the temp problems with the CPU and the person said they'd be happy to exchange it for me, but right now they didn't have any of them left in stock.

Soo, I'll call over there in a day or so and ask if they've gotten any in, and if so, I think I'll do an exchange!

Is there a table being kept track of anywhere that reports batch numbers and what people have gotten with them?