Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 Haswell 3.5 GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1150 80W Server Processor BX80646E31241V3

Pros: Extremely low power for the performance thanks to the disabled video. I have a Kill-A-Watt meter on it and my server (see specs below) is only pulling 168w while running Handbreak to covert Blu-ray iso’s into MKV files, running a pair of domain controller+DNS VMs and a VPN server VM. My average usage while web surfing is a measly 104w. Cons: Not sure why but mine seems to run hot even with it’s low power draw (67w max is what HWMonitor has reported)…I have a Corsair H100i on it and even cleaned/re-arctic silvered/re-mounted it and temps stay the same under 48 hours max load at 56~58C per core. It idles at a cool 25~27C though (ambient temp in my house is 21C/70F) so it must be some issue with Intel’s mating between the CPU die and the lid. Overall Review: I have debated on trying to de-lid this CPU to bring load temps down some, but since it is still within the CPUs specs, I will probably just leave it alone as I don’t do massive amounts of video encoding. The max system draw I have seen on my meter has been 417w and that was with Furmark going while I was copying data from my old server to this one so all hdds were chugging alone at 236MBps sustained transfer rate (only have 2gbps LAN backbone atm until I pick up another Intel NIC or 4). This power level is VERY low IMO for all the hardware in this system. and what I was having it do at one time. System Specs: OS(s): Windows 8.1 Pro host OS with Plex media server and MS Hyper-V (2x VM Windows Server 2012 r2 domain controller/DNS, 1x VM Windows Server 2012 r2 Direct Access / VPN) Hardware: Fractal Design Define R4 case (4x low noise fans), 8x WD Red Pro 3TB HDDs + 2 Intel 730 480GB SSDs, Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 cpu, Corsair H100i liquid cooling loop, Kingston 32GB (4 x 8GB) KVR16E11K4/32 ECC RAM, ASRock C226WS+ mobo, Adaptec 8805 (2277500-R) with AFM-700 BBU/cache, ASUS DirectCU II OC R9290-DC2OC-4GD5 Radeon R9 290 4GB, Intel EXPI9402PTBLK dual NIC card, EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650 G 80 PLUS GOLD Certified 650W power supply

Pros: -Fast -Has not overheated yet, and it gets up to 110° F at my house in the summer. -Fan on heat sink is quiet Cons: None Overall Review: -If you don’t plan on using on board graphics (who does if your buying a Xeon), then this is a cheaper and better alternative to its i7 counterpart. -Pay close attention to the directions for installing the heat sink onto the processor. If you do it right, it takes 30 seconds. If you’re like me and don’t read directions it’ll take 30 frustrating minutes.