Does anyone know what's the blue plastic around Xeon CPUs for?

[mhweb]

I'm trying to get an used Xeon and some listings should the CPU by itself and other with a blue plastic around it.

Any different between the 2? Is this normal?

Here's a Google search what shows what I meant https://www.google.com/search?q=wha...10Q9QEwC3oECAUQBg#imgrc=J1-QewBr4cVXiM:&vet=1

 

[Apollo]

I think they are using the same approach to Threadripper CPU insertion.
I believe this is the counterpart to the socket and helps with CPU alignment and locking. I suspect it remains in place once CPU has been installed.

 

[mhweb]

So, they are legit then, right?

 

[Apollo]

Seems legitimate, however I can't seem to find relevant information about it on ark.intel.com
I suspect the plastic guard is used to help align the CPU on the normal socket, but could also be used to make the CPU fit a larger socket than it is designed for, assuming pin backward compatibility exist.
One post on the net suggested to remove the plastic piece, but I wouldn't do that if it is not clearly stated by Intel. Unless it is desinged to support larger sockets and fit in the one it was originally designed for.

 

[Jessep]

That's OEM to help install in the field. So Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. to avoid damaging sockets.