Windows 7 - Sandy Bridge E3 Xeon vs i7 Core comparison

I've been comparing the specs on the following processors and as a non-gamer the Xeon processors look very attractive. What I like is that Intel offers the choice of a Xeon 80 watt non-graphics processor versus it's 95 watt on-board graphics processor. It would have been nice if Intel offered that same choice in it's Core line. Many users prefer a PCI graphics card and don't use the on-chip graphics, so why not a choice, like with the Xeon line?

Compare Intel® Products,

well the xeon is a server cpu not ideally suited to home computing.

but intel do offer non integrated graphics by choosing a different model, the i7 950 3.4ghz and the i7 2600/k for example one is sandy one isn't.

while it is well priced at around £170 and uses socket 1155 it's just not cheap enough to ignore the i7 range.

when you look at the compatable range on motherboards they are all server boards listed i don't think anyone would be able to garuntee a standard 1155 board would work, the motherboard
Intel® Server Board S1200BTS costs around £180
Intel® Server Board S1200BTL this board only supports ecc ram which usually costs a bit more.

the difference in price from a standard 1155 board for home use negates the cost difference of the cpu.

I've no personal experience with Sandy Bridge Xeons.

Most of the motherboards that support the Xeons are server boards, which require ECC memory. That raises the price.

However, at www.newegg.com, I see one board that can use both desktop and Xeon CPUs, and ECC or non-ECC DDR3:

Newegg.com - ASUS P8B WS LGA 1155 Intel C206 ATX Intel Xeon E3 Server/Workstation Motherboard

Newegg doesn't list any other C206 motherboards.

It's interesting how much broader a range of I7 equivalents (quad core with hyperthreading) exists in the Xeon line.