Intel Identifies Chipset (P67) Design Error
Seemingly too good to be true, Intel’s Sandy Bridge launch probably is. It has now been marred by a design flaw in its native chipset, the P67 – codename Cougar Point. This design error is set to affect many if not all of the early adopters of this new platform.
The following is an excerpt of the official Intel press release.
“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.”
There is said to be a possibility of a widespread recall of all Sandy Bridge related motherboards, laptops and pre-built computers both store bought and those purchased online. Stay tuned as ABT keeps you up to date on this situation as it develops. For even quicker updates, join our forum and discuss it here.
Leon Hyman
Senior Editor
