ASUS and Gigabyte respond to Sandy Bridge chipset design error
If you're the proud owner of an Intel "Sandy Bridge"-based system, then you're probably feeling a little less proud after the news earlier this week that Intel will be recalling all of their 6-series chipsets due to a design flaw which affects operation of some of these parts Serial ATA ports. So, what are the major motherboard manufacturers doing about the situation? Both ASUS and Gigabyte have responded with their plans.
The key messages are as follows:
1) Gigabyte has stopped shipment to and recalled any unsold 6-series B2 motherboards from distributors and dealers.
2) Any Gigabyte 6-series B2 motherboards that have already been sold will be accepted back for replacement with a B3 board, regardless of condition. I asked Gigabyte if this meant that non-working boards could also be returned, Gigabyte said yes - all eligible 6-series models with B2 stepping chipsets will be accepted back.
3) Gigabyte says that it should have 6-series B3 chipsets in April.
4) The replacement program will happen at the dealer/distributor level. You will have to exchange your board at the location you purchased it from.
5) Customers can either exchange their board (you'll have to wait until April for this to happen) or you can get a full refund sooner (immediately?). Gigabyte recommends going the refund route as that gives you more flexibility for what you want to do next.
6) The replacement board you get will be a brand new motherboard based on the B3 chipset. Gigabyte isn’t ready to disclose if there will be any new design features to these boards as well.
7) The cost of the product exchange will be handled by Intel and Gigabyte (presumably Intel is footing the entire bill).
Anandtech have more on Gigabyte's response.1) Gigabyte has stopped shipment to and recalled any unsold 6-series B2 motherboards from distributors and dealers.
2) Any Gigabyte 6-series B2 motherboards that have already been sold will be accepted back for replacement with a B3 board, regardless of condition. I asked Gigabyte if this meant that non-working boards could also be returned, Gigabyte said yes - all eligible 6-series models with B2 stepping chipsets will be accepted back.
3) Gigabyte says that it should have 6-series B3 chipsets in April.
4) The replacement program will happen at the dealer/distributor level. You will have to exchange your board at the location you purchased it from.
5) Customers can either exchange their board (you'll have to wait until April for this to happen) or you can get a full refund sooner (immediately?). Gigabyte recommends going the refund route as that gives you more flexibility for what you want to do next.
6) The replacement board you get will be a brand new motherboard based on the B3 chipset. Gigabyte isn’t ready to disclose if there will be any new design features to these boards as well.
7) The cost of the product exchange will be handled by Intel and Gigabyte (presumably Intel is footing the entire bill).
Acting on our philosophy and promise of inspiring innovation and persistent perfection, we've created a comprehensive response to this development to safeguard the best interest of ASUS customers around the world. We will provide total warranty services to maximize computing and usability, as each ASUS product is delivered with an uncompromising quality pledge. This includes the hassle-free return and/or replacement of all affected ASUS products. We’re doing all this effective immediately – and as a first step, shipments of current ASUS Sandy Bridge-based products have been halted. The suspension covers all distribution and retail channels — ASUS only sells quality-assured products, at all times and across all product segments.
For all customers who already own any ASUS product affected by the design error identified by Intel®, simply visit this page for detailed warranty and service hotline information. We’ll be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding this issue, as well as provide information on future updates to Sandy Bridge technology.
Meanwhile, you can find ASUS' full plans on their own web site.For all customers who already own any ASUS product affected by the design error identified by Intel®, simply visit this page for detailed warranty and service hotline information. We’ll be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding this issue, as well as provide information on future updates to Sandy Bridge technology.
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The Top Selling 20 Games of 2010
Want to know what the best-selling games of last year were? Then check out this article... assuming you live in one of the territories it covers, that is.
The UK chart isn't dramatically different from the USA. DS and Wii are a bit weaker, PS3 a bit stronger, and X360 has comparable strength. Gran Turismo 5 was probably in the top 30 for the USA, but in the UK, and in other European countries it cracked the top ten with about six weeks on the market for 2010.
Represented publishers in the UK are Nintendo (8), Sony (1), Microsoft (1), Ubisoft (3), Activision (3), EA (2), and Take Two (2). These are the same companies represented in the USA so no Japanese third parties produced a top-20 hit.
VG Chartz has the full low-down.Represented publishers in the UK are Nintendo (8), Sony (1), Microsoft (1), Ubisoft (3), Activision (3), EA (2), and Take Two (2). These are the same companies represented in the USA so no Japanese third parties produced a top-20 hit.
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