Intel Sandy Bridge chipset recall

[Tordon]

I hope they work with the vendors for faster replacement. I would prefer to go to the computer store i got my board from and exchange it there right away. Its extremely inconvenient to ship stuff...

[Dark Mantis]

I would have thought that retailers would ship the RMA boards "en mass" rather than the end user having to ship each one individually.

Let us just hope that the board manufacturers make it as easy and painless as  possible.

[bingy]

I have a sandy bridge board that is affected by the bug. (UD4 P67)

Most of mys system uses the 2 working sata connectors, so i can function, but the dvd drive and spare hard disk both crap out over time. At least now I know why.

What is going to be Gigabytes response? how long are we likely to wait?

[Dark Mantis]

To be fair bingy, Gigabyte only had notification of the problem yesterday and it must be a logistical nightmare trying to work out a return strategy and don't forget that Intel's ability and timescale to manufacture the new updated chips will have to be taken  into account.

[Yarbs]

http://www.gigabyte.com/press-center/news.aspx

Is this where should I look for an official statement from gigabyte when it’s issued?

As long as I have a statement from gigabyte that says this current P67 mobo is not fit for purpose (or words to that effect) and should be replaced with a revised unit I can hand my PC back to my local store/system builder to swap out this mobo for the revised P67 edition when it becomes available.

I do understand the time issues involved with this, but some general statement from gigabyte regarding this mobo/chipset fault would be welcome sooner rather than later.

[Dark Mantis]

I am sure that Gigabyte along with all the other motherboard manufacturers will issue a statement as soon as they have finalised all the arrangements. I don't think you will have any trouble finding it as it will be posted here in the Intel section and in the News section I would think.

[runn3R]

Hi All

Here is official statement dated today.

====================================================================================
-- Notice: Motherboards Based on Intel® 6 Series Chipsets --
-- GIGABYTE Acknowledges Intel’s Alert Regarding 6 Series Chipset --
 
Taipei, Taiwan – February 1, 2011 – GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards and other computing hardware solutions, today announced that GIGABYTE has been alerted by Intel about a 6 series chipset design error. GIGABYTE is working closely with Intel® to minimize the inconvenience to customers and retail stores with regard to related issues.

A recent statement from Intel indicates that they expect full 6 series chipset volume recovery in April, 2011. GIGABYTE will produce and deliver new motherboards with the updated Intel 6 series chipset when the new chipsets become available. GIGABYTE prides itself in having the highest service quality in the industry, and as such we will resolve this issue with minimal impact on our customers.

Additional information will be added to the official motherboard website and the GIGABYTE Tech Daily blog as the situation develops.
====================================================================================

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks runn3R.

That was a very fast response to Intel's problem and will help settle peoples fears a bit. Hopefully there will be a more detailed announcement soon of the actual logistics of it.

[fixx572]

This kinda sucks.I just found this out .I just built a new sandybridge rig this weekend.I had a issue lastnight with my hd that was in one of the sata ports my system took a crap it wasn,t seeing the hd so change the cable nothing.SO i moved to a diffrent sata port and it worked again.I had no idea about this issue.I had a few issues in the begining with the buid as usuall with a new platform with the bios and stuff.But i never thought that there was going to be this kinda stuff happening.Hopefully gigabyte will replace this board when they get this stuff worked out.If not that would suck.Then i will have to buy a new board.And that would really suck.But i guess there is not much i can do if they don,t.Just move on.

[Dark Mantis]

I don't think there is anything like that to worry about. Intel is funding the whole replacement scheme and even paying for carriage as I was told. So no big problems on that side but it will obviously incur some time wasting which hopefully wont be long.

[Yarbs]

Intel has pointed out that this is not a full blown recall for retail customers in the style of say the motor industry, this is because percentages involved (5% to 15% failure rate) but they have set aside $700 million to deal with the repair and replacement of any affected chipsets.

I should imagine a good chunk of that $700 mil will be given to the compensate the motherboard manufacturers such as Gigabyte
I just hope Gigabyte issue a no quibble exchange program for the new replacement boards for existing customers; my worst case scenario would be for them to say they would only replace boards at the point of failure, nobody wants a time bomb chipset

Well I ‘am off to do some 60fps gaming for the first time ever courtesy of Sandy Bridge and Nvidia(I was using Pentium D until last week ) and put this out of my mind, at least for a while.

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks for the extra detail.

I shouldn't think any of the affected manufactures will have set a policy in place yet as to how the replacements/repairs will be actioned we will just have to wait and see what they come up with. As they won't be out of pocket I would hope they will do the right thing and give a good service.

[soarwitheagles]

Thanks for the extra detail.

I shouldn't think any of the affected manufactures will have set a policy in place yet as to how the replacements/repairs will be actioned we will just have to wait and see what they come up with. As they won't be out of pocket I would hope they will do the right thing and give a good service.

DM,

I sure hope you are correct in your assumption!  I believe Intel will do what is good and right and in so doing keep their good relationship with their loyal customers.

I look forward to a positive experience and great customer service not only with Intel, but also with the mobo manufacturers.

It's me,

Positive Soar

[faizoff]

I got an email from Newegg regarding the Motherboard issue.

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

[kroegs]

Thank god for gigabyte,  thank god I didn't wait too long to get a sandy bridge!  I now am one of the rare few with a ud7 board with 4 working 6gb/s sata ports and a 4.72 ghz hyper threaded monster chip running it that won't be back on the market again for months! Woohoo for gigabyte and thank god for marvel chipsets!!