Intel ES Xeons

[MindCrime]

I've ended up with an extra 2011-3 X99 motherboard which, after I carefully repair a bent pin, should be fully functional. I don't have room in my fleet for another tower, but I could replace one of my Dell T5500s. I was looking on ebay and there are "ES" Xeons being sold, way cheap. These Engineering Samples are not meant to be sold and technically are property of Intel. The sellers are in Japan, and have very good seller ratings. Other than no warranty and possible felony charges, any down side to these chips? This E5-2658 v3 retails for $1700+... and the ES chip is going for about $300 on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151989476551

On the engineering samples. Of the 5 or so CPUs I've seen or been in possession of that were bought from the employee program/store they all said intel confidential on them. Their usually early process runs that were run in RnD fab and not a high volume. After engineering checks the batch out and they move onto their next project, they sell them at the employee store at a ridiculously good price, or you can get like 1 free per year.. maybe.

I believe Tankmaster is a blue badge, he could probably check on your legal status of owning one. but I'm quite certain intel is okay with it unless it's a model that's not for sale, then maybe you could be in trouble. If JP is correct the seller on ebay is the bad boy, you're just an unknowing customer that thinks he's getting a great deal on a super duper chip from overseas.