Make sure you have the latest bios before installing. you can get a E5540 for about $5 bucks that works with most of the factory bios for the x58 socket boards this CPU works if you want to test and update the bios before buying or run into issues with the board not posting. I had a ASUS motherboard at first that wouldn't support the X5660 but I didn't try a different bios. I'm using a Intel DX58SO Motherboard now that actually doesn't list this CPU as compatible, but with a simple update to the latest bios this CPU worked. So, 6 Cores/ 12 Threads/ 12mb L3 Cache/ 32nm/ 2.8 GHz Base Clock, but runs at about 3.1 GHz without overclocking for only $35 bucks, you can't beat that. Very happy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
X58 is the Intel chipset launched in 2008 that put Intel back on the map. Until Ryzen, nothing made as much of an impact on the enthusiast PC market. But almost 10 years later it's getting long in the tooth even with recent X58 offerings like the 980 and 990X processors. The X5660 Xeon, however, is a sever CPU. That means things like 6 cores, 12 threads, TPM, VT-D, better power efficiency (and less heat) from the 32nm Westmere cores. Other than about 10 minutes of research to figure out BIOS settings you can instantly have a faster, more efficient Xeon living where your old I7 920 used to be. For me the X5660 has taken an I7 940 from 23000 to 36000 points in 3DMark Vantage with nothing more than this CPU and a BIOS upgrade. In short, best bang for your X58 upgrade buck.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I received the Xeon within a few days though wasn't able to install it right away. Check and make sure your motherboard supports it, especially if you have an X58 board. Make sure that board has the latest BIOS. The problem I had was that I had the earliest revision of my EVGA X58 board. With that board, there was no BIOS released that would allow it to support a Xeon. I had to physically modify the motherboard, which requires micro-soldering, to allow the Xeon to work in my X58. So check and check again. If you are buying a board to go with this, go with the latest revision of that board you can find. Everything else was great!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I replace both of my Xeon E5520 with these six core processors. the difference was bigger than i expected and i assume that it also has to do with the newest manufacturing technology vs my previous processors (except the Ghz increase) The installation needs a little attention and i recommend to spent 5-10$ for a good quality thermal paste and review a couple of related with the installation videos prior of any action, if this is your first time. If you have done this in the past no special treatment is needed. i recommend this upgrade as the cost is not high and the performance improvement is big - especially if you are working on 3D-cad.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This CPU is literally the best value for money option out there for people with X58 motherboards. simply flash your BIOS to the latest revision using your old CPU then pop in this bad boy and now you have a cheap 6 core 12 thread 32nm beast. plus these CPUs overclock very well to since they are binned higher. i would highly recommend this CPU for people that already have an X58 system and are looking to extend its life. for those who want to build an X58 system from scratch i wouldn't recommend this CPU but would instead recommend its much cheaper 4 core 8 thread brother the E5640.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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