Sandy bridge 6-series chipset has a "flaw"

CMDR Steve-O · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:13 pm

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/20326
Intel:

Quote:

"In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets may degrade over time, potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives."

So this means that any/all motherboards currently in the channel could/should/would be recalled.

Apparently cannot be fixed until February. So take that as a note if you were planning to get something like this, to wait a little while. Yet another reason for there to be at least 2 companies making a product (Pro NVidia? yeah a bit...).

Dr_BenD_over · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:26 pm

As part of ongoing quality assurance, Intel Corporation has discovered a design issue in a recently released support chip, the Intel® 6 Series, code-named Cougar Point, and has implemented a silicon fix. In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets may degrade over time, potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives. The chipset is utilized in PCs with Intel’s latest Second Generation Intel Core processors, code-named Sandy Bridge. Intel has stopped shipment of the affected support chip from its factories. Intel has corrected the design issue, and has begun manufacturing a new version of the support chip which will resolve the issue. The Sandy Bridge microprocessor is unaffected and no other products are affected by this issue.

The company expects to begin delivering the updated version of the chipset to customers in late February and expects full volume recovery in April. Intel stands behind its products and is committed to product quality. For computer makers and other Intel customers that have bought potentially affected chipsets or systems, Intel will work with its OEM partners to accept the return of the affected chipsets, and plans to support modifications or replacements needed on motherboards or systems. The systems with the affected support chips have only been shipping since January 9th and the company believes that relatively few consumers are impacted by this issue. The only systems sold to an end customer potentially impacted are Second Generation Core i5 and Core i7 quad core based systems. Intel believes that consumers can continue to use their systems with confidence, while working with their computer manufacturer for a permanent solution. For further information consumers should contact Intel at www.intel.com on the support page or contact their OEM manufacturer.

For the first quarter of 2011, Intel expects this issue to reduce revenue by approximately $300 million as the company discontinues production of the current version of the chipset and begins manufacturing the new version. Full-year revenue is not expected to be materially affected by the issue. Total cost to repair and replace affected materials and systems in the market is estimated to be $700 million

gtrguy · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:18 pm **Posts:** 76

Crap... nothing like being a guinea pig...

Flama22 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:32 pm

Just came here to post the same thing as I know a few out there were planning on these systems in the near future.

http://gizmodo.com/5747876/intel-kills- ... esign-flaw

gtrguy · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:18 pm **Posts:** 76

Total balls... so far my system has been fine but I don't like the sound of that press release.

Dr_BenD_over · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:05 pm

Quote:

New Info: In an Intel Conference Call, the company has stated that ONLY SATA 2 Ports are affected, and SATA 3 is unaffected.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/pr ... inent.html

CMDR Steve-O · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:43 pm

As long as you only have 2 devices, or no new SSDs. Marvell onboard controllers suck arse from what I read.

Dont' defend Intel, it's still a:

Hali_Newf · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:18 pm

...and its only costing intel a meazly 700 million to rectify lol

CMDR Steve-O · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:20 am

Oh the wailing and the gnashing of teeth in other forums online is quite a sight to behold. Peeps going batsh!t crazy trying to get RMAs going on something that may or may not happen in a noticable way, but is built in to every single motherboard.

Most major online retailers (well, the resposible ones anyways) have ceased selling of P67 boards, as well as the 2500/2600(K) CPUs.

Also, questions have been raised (mostly by tin-foil hatters) that Intel knew about this for a while, and instigated it's share buyback program a week ago in advance to forgoe any stock tanking.

As well their "official" press releases are about the investor side, not the actual technical aspects of the recall. Methinks FTC might be snooping around again.

Shenanigans like this are par for the course from Intel, so I'm not really surprised.

mma_fan · **Joined:** Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:27 pm **Posts:** 109

AMD could jump all over this opportunity, but they have nothing.

CMDR Steve-O · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:16 pm

mma_fan wrote:

AMD could jump all over this opportunity, but they have nothing.

Nothing but working CPU's and motherboards!
(yeah, it's a stretch)

mma_fan · **Joined:** Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:27 pm **Posts:** 109

Stuff like this happens when you try new things.

Hali_Newf · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:06 pm

well thats fine that AMD didnt jump on it. Chances are since Sandy bridge came out - AMD is working on improving things as always to offer comparable options for ALOT less rupies.

Ern88 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:49 pm

Well, I am happy that Intel is doing this. Not like the fiasco with Nvidia a few years ago with defective GPU's. They were quick to find the flaw. too bad after launch. I am glad I didn't upgrade. Now lets see if AMD can hit the bricks running with Bulldozer in April.

Hali_Newf · **Posted:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:55 am

Well AMD officially released its new chipset yesterday! woo!

Sandy bridge 6-series chipset has a "flaw"

Who is online