Intel finds Sandy Bridge chipset design flaw, shipments stopped and recalls beginning

[LUZR4LIFE]

We had to pull all of our mobo's yesterday. We even had customers trying to exhange bad ones. LOL

[Hypermiler]

Shiiiiiiiz, just got my 1155 like less than a week ago

[jaykar]

Hi,

Glad now I bypassed Sandy for Ivy now, and when Ivy Chip
and boards are released going to give it a couple months to filter
out before pulling the trigger on them.

They will get it straight but sure a hassle for those who pulled the trigger
right away.

No stock in Intel!

Later

[Death125]

I'm gonna wait since my chipset was purchased from Fry's on the 14th and wondering if Fry's or asus will return the board for a 'fixed' version or upgrade me. Either way, Im gonna try to milk this situation.

[LUZR4LIFE]

Originally Posted by Death125

I'm gonna wait since my chipset was purchased from Fry's on the 14th and wondering if Fry's or asus will return the board for a 'fixed' version or upgrade me. Either way, Im gonna try to milk this situation.

From what I heard any mobo will be replaced with the new chipset. Microcenter will be getting the new chipset late Feb.

[Wuden]

same got letter from Newegg.
I just have to move my 2nd drive to sataIII and dvd drive will just have to suffer for next month or so.

Was gonna use the sataIII for a SSD. now defiantly gonna wait.

gives me an excuse to rewire the system anyway, Sucks i'm on water though and have to redo that but whatever.

They better do cross shipping. any news on that ?

[LUZR4LIFE]

I'm not sure what NewEgg policies are but I know that all manufactures are paying for shipping to and from. Well that's what I have heard.

[Sparkey247]

supposedly this is costing Intel somewhere in the 700 million bones range

[Clone of 501]

My sister is applying for a job with Intel, on the eve of this apocalyptic event. I am disappointed.

[prudhomb]

I guess this shows its probably best to wait a month or so after a new release before you jump on the bandwagon. I know Ive been catching the fever.

[ZorchThatCPU]

Got an e-mail from MicroCenter today about the recall. They say replacement boards will be available in eight weeks. The good part is that I'll just be able to go to the store and exchange it right then and there, without having to ship it back to Gigabyte or Intel or whatever. So kudos to MicroCenter for handling it in-house!

Anyway, here's what they said:

eNews Update: Important Information
Micro Center: computers & electronics

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

An Important Announcement regarding Intel(r) Series 6 Chipsets

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Intel has recently identified an issue with their 6 series chipsets,
which are used with all their 2nd generation Core processors
(code-named Sandy Bridge). This is a potentially serious issue, but it
should not affect your data, just your system's performance. Intel believes
that consumers can continue to use their systems with confidence, while
working with their computer manufacturer for a permanent solution.

However, some users may see degradation in the performance of SATA
devices attached to the system, whether internal or external (such as hard
drives and DVD drives). Intel is not aware of any end-user who has seen this
issue yet, but they expect it to affect a significant percentage of users
eventually, and to worsen over a three year period.

Please be assured that Micro Center will stand behind every customer who
purchased a system or a motherboard from us that features this chipset.
Intel has already made the necessary change in the manufacturing process
to correct the error, and properly functioning replacements will be available
in approximately 8 weeks.

To minimize the disruption to you, we suggest that you continue to use your
system until replacement parts are available. At that time, we will contact
you with instructions regarding how to get your motherboard replaced or your
system repaired.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no problem with the Intel 2nd Generation Core Processors themselves.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by this issue,
and our assurance that we will keep you informed of any further developments.

For additional information, please visit:
http://l2.microcentermail.com/C2L/jj.aspx?pid=uy5qnqzHiLU$&odid=PMpgFjGllv4$&sid=9NH a6UTSEa4jiJ5kTCDTQQ$$&aid=Uc6d0XfhsyY$&URL=L2_llqa lf8u0lmZOPCD9jQSp2iq1TlfFq5LYuWhWhbNziLGEhph07cq5Q NA_hbVhE3sm0x6p3g-kv5d-BVrQuSJXEOXUphh6LUnSh8ymFHiBSIxFBiRD3wkWbojB3dA6ua kxP1xGU4dqKvxoDezOYVUFmEh2ePDxO-Kd1EPT5lxDVfd9Z2abjXlZ047aBiUO&

[AnomalouS]

Originally Posted by LUZR4LIFE

I'm not sure what NewEgg policies are but I know that all manufactures are paying for shipping to and from. Well that's what I have heard.

I am sure they will. How ever I am not very thrilled to ship my motherboard in and wait for them to process it for return. What do you suppose the downtime/return time would be?

I would rather be able to purchase another motherboard and return the defective board after I am up and running again.

[LUZR4LIFE]

I liked the fact that we were doing that. No reason to make the custo to have down time on a new product

[AnomalouS]

Originally Posted by LUZR4LIFE

I liked the fact that we were doing that. No reason to make the custo to have down time on a new product

Props to MC for doing it, hopefully others follow suite.

[ZorchThatCPU]

No doubt, MC is worthy of praise, and not just for this recall incident. Their customer service is genuinely excellent on a consistent basis.

I've bought five CPUs there so far; two 555 Black Editions, an i7 920, an i7 950, and most recently my 2500K. On the 555 Black Editions, not only did MC have the best price, but both times the salesman went and found a specific batch I asked for that was most likely to unlock to a quad. Both of those 555 chips ended up being 4GHz quads for me. And of course the other processors I bought there were considerably below market value as well.

And when I bought my 2500K, the motherboard I chose to go with it (GA-P67A-UD3P) was competitively priced there. I made a point of buying the mobo there to reward MC for their amazing CPU prices. I'm sure that's what they have in mind when they price their CPUs, and they deserve it. But in the end, it's going to be a reward to myself that I bought it there, because I'll be able to just go to the store to exchange it instead of shipping it somewhere and waiting.

It's a great system: Good karma from MC to me, back from me to MC, back from them to me. And back to them again next time when I buy there again. Amen.

[Sparkey247]

Yeah MC has prices that will take on even eggy, i had bought numerous things there and their employees have always been awesome about everything, recently it was a swiftech XT block. Thats more than i can say for the employees over at tiger direct/compusa in hofman estates.

[sfetaz]

So to confirm, there is no unlocked intel processor of current generation that has an overclockable motherboard for sale from retailers like newegg or microcenter? That being said, should I still get the 2500k now for $180 because I wonder if that price will last once either the replacement stock gets shipped out or when the new intel chipset comes out.

[Sparkey247]

anything with a K in the name is unlocked as far as for jumping the gun i would wait till the revised chipsets come out.

there is nothing wrong with the Procs, its the chipsets on the mobo that are deemed to go out.

so you can buy the proc now and wait or wait and buy the whole monty or even wait for the Z6x chipset its your choice.

h3ll i might even be building one sooner or later if the 2600k is faster than my I7 965 EE, then it might be time to bump my lil monster down to second pc duty and use the 2600K as my gaming rig Maybe maybe not have not made up my mind but it will not happen for a while im buying a town house (hopefully) so i gatta wait for that to clear first.

[wes2880]

This is an E-mail I got from Newegg about my P67 mobo.

Dear Customer,

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. Newegg has recently become aware of a design issue that is affecting recent models of Intel Sandy Bridge platform motherboards. We are working with Intel to identify the exact nature of this problem.

As always, Newegg remains 100% committed to our customers' total satisfaction. In keeping with our commitment to our customers, we are extending the return period for your motherboard by 90 days or until replacements become available from the manufacturer, whichever is greater. Intel expects to have a new revision of the P67 & H67 chipsets out around April, at which point first-run motherboards with this issue will need to be physically replaced in affected systems.

From a technical standpoint, the design issue can be bypassed fairly simply by not using the Serial ATA (SATA) ports that are affected. Your motherboard’s manual should identify your SATA ports by number, and at a minimum you should see ports 0-5 (6 ports in total) listed. Ports 0 and 1 are Sata Rev. III (6Gbps), and do not appear to be affected by this problem. Ports 2-5 are SATA Rev. II (3Gbps) and should not be used. For a thorough explanation of this hardware work-around, please refer to our video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJcE2alQPvY

If you choose to use the hardware work-around option, there is no need to contact us at this time. We have your information on record and will email you as soon as the replacements become available. If you would like to discuss this with our tech community or read up on the latest updates, please visit our EggXpert forum:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/682006.aspx

If none of the above options are suitable to your needs and you wish to return the board at this time for a full refund, please email us at intelsandybridge@newegg.com and include your sales order number so we can help you out with your return.

If you have any concerns, please contact Newegg Customer Service for further information and assistance.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Your Newegg.com Customer Service Team




The flaw hasn't been a problem for me, so I just look at it that I get a nice revision upgrade in a few months. I just hope they'll send the new mobo out to me first, or I may just keep this flawed board indefinately.

[Maniac]

Originally Posted by Sparkey247

h3ll i might even be building one sooner or later if the 2600k is faster than my I7 965 EE, then it might be time to bump my lil monster down to second pc duty and use the 2600K as my gaming rig Maybe maybe not have not made up my mind but it will not happen for a while im buying a town house (hopefully) so i gatta wait for that to clear first.

You won't see any difference in games...

Originally Posted by wes2880

The flaw hasn't been a problem for me, so I just look at it that I get a nice revision upgrade in a few months. I just hope they'll send the new mobo out to me first, or I may just keep this flawed board indefinately.

Keeping the flawed board will mean lower resale value.