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Sandy Bridge chipset design flaw, Intel issues recalls
Yikes -- not good -- this is just in from several web sources and now Intel confirmed it. It seems that Intel is applying a "silicon fix" in their chipset segment. The bad news is that it is the new Intel 6 Series chipset, Cougar Point (H69/P69) which has been found to have a flaw which has something to do with the SATA controller.
Intel is indicating that the ports can "degrade over time," leading to poor i/o performance down the road. All shipments have been stopped and a fix has been implemented for new deliveries, but it sounds like recalls will be starting soon for those with this ticking time bomb silicon within. It isn't a problem right now, though, so if you own a Sandy Bridge Core i5 or Core i7 system keep computing with confidence while looking for a recall notice.
What's going on ?
Here's the thing we can confirm, the problem is to be found solely in the SATA 300 controller, the two SATA 600 controllers are unaffected as well as any other added controllers on your motherboard.
On the up-to four SATA2 (SATA 300) ports in a timeframe measured over years, your performance can degrade by 5% to 10% based on standard usage. The controller simply will produce more errors and as that result the controller performance thus will go down as it tries to correct it. This is not something that can be fixed with a BIOS update, a new revision fix of the silicon is the only alternative.
Who is effected
But yeah, this likely means the replacement of all Sandy-Bridge-based motherboards, laptops, and pre-built PCs currently on store shelves or already in running in your home.
The costs
Intel said a design error in one of its chips will reduce sales and profit margins as it spends $700 million to repair and replace affected products. Currently 8 million chipsets have been distributed. Next to that Intel expects to miss $300 million in sales due to this. So that's a Billion dollar right there.
Intel on the matter
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2011 - 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 Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Server and Embedded Processor Technology - Intel on the support page or contact their OEM manufacturer.
Source:Sandy Bridge chipset design flaw, Intel issues recalls
Yikes -- not good -- this is just in from several web sources and now Intel confirmed it. It seems that Intel is applying a "silicon fix" in their chipset segment. The bad news is that it is the new Intel 6 Series chipset, Cougar Point (H69/P69) which has been found to have a flaw which has something to do with the SATA controller.
Intel is indicating that the ports can "degrade over time," leading to poor i/o performance down the road. All shipments have been stopped and a fix has been implemented for new deliveries, but it sounds like recalls will be starting soon for those with this ticking time bomb silicon within. It isn't a problem right now, though, so if you own a Sandy Bridge Core i5 or Core i7 system keep computing with confidence while looking for a recall notice.
What's going on ?
Here's the thing we can confirm, the problem is to be found solely in the SATA 300 controller, the two SATA 600 controllers are unaffected as well as any other added controllers on your motherboard.
On the up-to four SATA2 (SATA 300) ports in a timeframe measured over years, your performance can degrade by 5% to 10% based on standard usage. The controller simply will produce more errors and as that result the controller performance thus will go down as it tries to correct it. This is not something that can be fixed with a BIOS update, a new revision fix of the silicon is the only alternative.
Who is effected
But yeah, this likely means the replacement of all Sandy-Bridge-based motherboards, laptops, and pre-built PCs currently on store shelves or already in running in your home.
The costs
Intel said a design error in one of its chips will reduce sales and profit margins as it spends $700 million to repair and replace affected products. Currently 8 million chipsets have been distributed. Next to that Intel expects to miss $300 million in sales due to this. So that's a Billion dollar right there.
Intel on the matter
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2011 - 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 Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Server and Embedded Processor Technology - Intel on the support page or contact their OEM manufacturer.
Source:Sandy Bridge chipset design flaw, Intel issues recalls
