http://www.anandtech.com/show/10337/...up-to-10-cores
"Intel has recently released the Broadwell-EP based Xeon E5-2600 v4 processors, running up to 22 cores, and the smaller silicon die used for the 10-core parts has today filtered down to the prosumer and high-end desktop (HEDT) markets in four different parts, making up the Core i7 6800 and 6900 series. For today's review we'll be taking a look at all four."
The socket 2011 i7's are basically xeons, without support for dual cpus, registered ram, and unlocked for over clocking. So basically hot rodded xeons. They may share the same underlying micro architecture and manufacturing process (broadwell, sky lake, Kaby lake, etc.) but they def have more in common with xeons than their 4-core i7's cousins.
As shown this x99 mobo is compatible with either broadwell e (i7 68xx/69xx) or broadwell e5 xeons.
http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downl....aspx?pid=5221
That said I just haven't kept up with how far the intel procs have come power wise. Once metric halo finally release their USB interface card, I plan on switching to windows. And will build a new rig then. Was just checking to see where my 2009 Mac Pro compared to what's available. I've always planned on building a rig around the e-series procs. Just looked, and it appears the next generation are going to use a new socket. So I'll probably wait on that also before building a rig. Unless the deals on the 2011 based rigs are just too good to pass up.