I'm not a huge fan of this CPU for one simple reason: The thing is simply a neutered Xeon. Most of these chips are undoubtedly CPUs that were destined to end up as octal core Xeons, but were not sellable due to the VT-d bug. Intel put them through another manufacturing pass, unlocking their multipliers (was it that hard to unlock a Xeon, Intel?) and neutering two of their cores. I'm not certain, but I'd suspect that there were sufficient quantities of chips such as these to permit an octal core EE to be launched, a feature that would justify the price tag. But such a chip would compete with the Xeon 1P when it comes out and allow people to have an 8 core CPU for less than Intel thinks it should be paid for one.

Intel, what I want is this: A top bin, un-neutered CPU, all features intact (all cores, ECC, VT, both QPIs, multiplier unlocked). Call it whatever you want (Xeon EE sounds good). Or you can just make it easy and multiplier unlock the top speed grade of Xeon...