Intel & AIB's: Mass Recalls Sandy Bridge Motherboards

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 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. Since this issue affected some of the chipset units shipped and produced in the fourth quarter of 2010, the company will take a charge against cost of goods sold, which is expected to reduce the fourth quarter gross margin percentage by approximately 4 percentage points from the previously reported 67.5 percent. The company will also take a charge in the first quarter of 2011which will lower the previously communicated gross margin percentage by 2 percentage points and the full-year gross margin percentage by one percentage point.

Due to the numerous complaints and issues from consumers all over the world concerning Intel's 6-Series aka Sandy Bridge Motherboards, TipidPC's management team has decided NOT to allow trading, selling or swapping of Motherboards and Notebooks based on the aforementioned platform. ALL retailers/sellers in TipidPC are advised to remove in their IFS (Items for Sale) all Intel's 6-Series aka Sandy Bridge Motherboards as well as Notebooks based on the said platform effective immediately.

SUMMARY: in simple terms

*Intel Sandy Bridge Motherboards are only affected by recall (mainly Sata II ports 3gbps) and not the Intel Sandy Bridge Processors themselves

*You can still use your Sandy Bridge mobos and wait for revisions made. (around March-May)

*Should you wish for your motherboards to be exchanged/refunded, kindly call the shop where you have bought the item and ask for the appropriate actions.

*Upon the availability of the said revisions, you can now exchange your defective mobos with a new one for peace of mind.

*TIP: It is recommended to plug your Hard Drive/SSD/ODD to the available SATA 3 ports (6gbps) should you wish to use your mobos while you wait (plug your ODD at sata II ports for less chances of data corruption)

*please also check manufacturer's sites for any announcements and be updated.