> is there any reason why a memory controller can't be designed that would, worst case, use every other (identical) stick just to get parity bit(s), as a BIOS c

> is there any reason why a memory controller can't be designed that would, worst case, use every other (identical) stick just to get parity bit(s), as a BIOS configurable option? If Intel were interested in allowing you to make use of any parity bits without buying a Xeon, they wouldn't be restricting ECC to Xeons in the first place.