cmi86 said:
I completely agree with your suggestions I just wanted to interject slightly and state that FX is not all that hot even overclocked. FX CPU's max core temp is only 62c, with a stock cooler at stock clocks they will get close to that under full load. With an aftermarket cooler and a good overclock 4.5+ they will hit roughly the same temps, lower with a lucky chip. All the same its not uncommon for 3rd/4th gen core chips to hit 75/80c quite easily under prolonged load with the stock cooler. However for the users needs I agree with the E3 at stock clocks and a decent air cooler just to keep the temps in check.
Right, didn't mean to make it sound like you're computing on an oven, but I didn't know what the OP's environmental requirements are. My experience with heavy CAD machines is they spend a lot of time on and can really heat up a room, even at stock clocks.
Oh, and in case the OP didn't know, the Xeon E3 all fit in desktop sockets. The v1 and v2 are SB and IB respectively and fit in 1155, the v3 is Haswell and fits in 1150.