Thanks for your input.
I have read two "stories" on the Xeons:
1.) What you say, that these are the chips with lower VID, best quality.
2.) That there are a few pin differences in the Xeons, i.e. since they support 24/7 operation, a few minor sleep functions of the desktop processors are not supported. There have been a few articles saying this, no idea if they are true or total BS.
I would think that if I got it from newegg, and within 7 days found that it was not recognized that I could return it as incompatible?
re: number 1- not based in fact but speculation. there are many who say that would make sense for a server application. no one has proven it.
re: number 2- again, speculation both ways. i have yet to see if proven. everyone i've seen with a xeon raves about how great they are with the intel chipsets for overclocking. i'm in canada and we can't buy from newegg so i better not comment on that one..i know of them, can't buy there..sob