CPU – Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 Ivy Bridge-EP 2.7GHz 12 Core Processor
Intel’s Xeon E5-2697 V2 is an Ivy Bridge-E part with over 12 cores, riding within a 130 watt TDP. With 30MBs of L3 cache, this is definitely, spec for spec, the chip that is in the top end Mac Pro. Whether it’s chip is soldered to the board, or at least, has the cap pulled off like in the previous Mac Pros, is still unknown (Update: We now know it isn’t). As mentioned, this may or may not be an unknown quantity in our chosen motherboard as it might not be fully compatible.
To pick up one of these bad boys, you’re looking at around $2749.99 US. It ships without a cooling solution so that’s where we’d pop on an NZXT Kraken X40 which uses 140mm fans, but mounts in a 120mm hole if needed and will cost around $89.99 US and is one of the best all in one liquid coolers in its size/price.