its odd, there are guys pushin 1.55v with 4.8ghz all day, and then there are others who get degradation at 1.35 at 4.0, its like a roll of the dice for each chip.It also seems to be mainly with the 680i boards that they are having most of the problems, the x38s and most p35s have been pretty solid other than the faulty temp readings. oh and the DS3L will work great with the e8400 right out of the box as long as its v2.0 which if you havent bought it yet, it will be.