Like many I'm missing the E8400... got all the parts ready except for that.  
 
I just ordered it frmo 8anet. I have no idea whether it's available or not, but since it says "new," I took the chance to order it. I just emailed them but if anyone can give me a faster answer, i'd appreciate it. If its not in stock... of course i'll call them up to cancel my order.
 
http://8anet.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=5493&step=4
 
 
does anyone know any current sites that will sell the E8400  OEM/ Out of box? Thanks in advance

It says right on the page that it is back ordered

I'm in the exact same boat.  I got mine at CompUSA, when it was still "In Stock", and the next day, I checked and it was backordered.  http://www.compusa.com/application [...] -DUO-E8400
 
I'm thinking of picking up a cheapo socket 775 CPU to use for getting the machine set up.  I've read that some folks with my mobo (ASUS P5K-E) can't post with the E8400 with the bios that the mobo comes with.  So you have to get an older 775 CPU, update the bios, then put the E8400 back in.
 
But the bigger issue for me now is getting a CPU, period.  Anyone know what the cheapest CPU I could get for this system?  Also, I have 4x1GB Kingston DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) memory.  Does that limit my choice of temporary CPU (while I'm waiting for the E8400)?

No, it doesn't limit your choice of cpu, only motherboards if you want 1066 support, otherwise it will run at ddr2 800 since most motherboards support that. Unless you overclock, then it doesn't matter.

I am using my tax return to build a new Intel system based off the wolfdale. Gigabyte DS3L and 2GB of Gskill RAM ( the stuff w/ around 1500 reviews at newegg). I am debating whether I should buy a cheaper 65nm cpu and wait for the 8400.

Thanks, soloman.  I avoided the DS3L due to lack of firewire, so beware.  It is inexpensive though, so there's a plus if you don't need firewire.
 
So I can pick up ANY 775 CPU, and it will work with my system?  I've seen some Celeron CPUs at newegg for < $50.  Like this 3GHz:
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819112234
 
But it's got a FSB of 533MHz.  That doesn't matter that my memory is DDR2 1066?

I read a review the other day on the 8400 and while it was exciting !!! the reviewer,suggested that the q6600 quad might be a better buy considering the future possibilities,,so,,i headed out to get meself an 8400 only to find out that they were scarcer than hen's teeth,then i read somewhere else that intel was competing ? against itself with the 8400 and they might be is short supply for a while kinda like the 8600gt,,,any how i got the Q6600,,mobo and ram coming soonest....

I don't need firewire. Nothing I have or will have uses firewire. So not a problem for me.

Your motherboard allows for the ram and FSB to be at different rates EG not 1 to 1. It can be 1 to 1 if you set it to it.

So even though the fsb is at 533, the ram will be allowed to run faster

I bought mine at a local Fry's Electronics for $225.  They had quite a few of them I might add......just last week!

Figures, there are no Frys on the east coast

Sorry about that.  I wonder if the Fry's website has them available.

Nah I looked. All the reputable sites do not have any in stock, nor do they list an ETA. Buy.com is the cheapest at $212, but it is OOS with no ETA.
 
I saw one site saying an ETA of April, which sucks. I'm thinking I might just buy either and 8400 or the xeon version from best buy for business. On their site they list 1-2 weeks before they ship.
 
The only store in NE that might have one would be CompUSA, but I wouldn't go near one with a ten foot pole.

Wow, I guess I got pretty lucky.  It was funny, I had just attended a computer show when I stopped in at Fry's.  At the show there was one guy who had them and he wanted $300.  I couldn't bring myself to fork over that kind of money knowing that it was overpriced.  
 
I really can't believe the popularity of the E8400.  I guess the reasonable price combined with the speed, overclockability, and the fact that it is manufactured using the 45nm process is really bringing up the demand.
 
I can't wait to see what comes next.  I know the E8500 is set to arrive soon...I am sure it will be just as hard to find as the E8400.

Wahoo!  I just got a notify email that my E8400 shipped (From CompUSA online)!  Good thing too, because the Celeron D 336 I grabbed to get my new rig set up is pure crap (slow).

Hi, new to the site, first post.
Actually a google search on the E8400 turned up this forum so I joined.
 
Anyway, there's no way I'm going to pay over 200.00 for a CPU that's supposed to list for 183.00.
 
I know that's probably the quote for each in quantities of 1000 but usually the retail price comes pretty
close to that eventually.
 
I'm actually going to upgrade two systems to E8400.  
 
Currently they're P4 based, one's a standard 3.4 the other a 3.4EE both 478 based.
 
I'm sure the higher prices are a direct result of availability but I'm kind of annoyed that a processor
released in January won't have any supply till Q3.  
 
Too bad AMD is falling on it's face, I bet there'd be plenty of quantity if Intel was at all concerned about having their rear's handed to them.
 
I have a separate gaming rig setup with two 8800GTS in SLI with a 590 chipset and an AMD 6000+ that is working out well right now.  
 
Hoping the E8400 based will be an improvement over that...