Identical except that the Q9500 won't support VT-x, according to a post over at Toms.
Hasn't been posted at the Ark yet to verify.
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=28398
I don't know, I thought Intel got out of disabling VT-x since XP Mode requires it, they realized that was a big mistake. This is why they've re-released new versions of the same processor with VT-x enabled.
Though they might disable some other instruction set.
Meh - nothing Intel haven't done countless times over in the past. Remember when the Pentium 4 "Extreme Editions" were just multiplier-unlocked versions, and sold at double the price? The target audience was very slim.
In all honesty, there's usually very little difference from one of Intel's series to the next - i.e. there's little difference between a Q9550 and a Q9650 . . . but there's nearly a $100+ difference in price.
Intel? Try AMD. Remember the FX series? Same processors, unlocked multipliers, $1000 more. At least the P4 Extemes used a higher FSB speed also, giving more benefit than just an unlocked multiplier...
In all honesty, there is usually very little difference from one of AMD's series to the next - i.e. there's little difference between a X2 4400+ and an X2 4800+ . . . but there was nearly a $150 difference in price when they were still the best of their time.
The only reason there isn't a $100+ gap between the 955 and 965 right now is because AMD can't price the 965 that high, it won't be competitive. But you better believe that AMD would price it through the roof if there was no competition from Intel.