Intel discovered a bug in the Sandy Bridge chipsets

Intel discovered a problem in the recently released Cougar Point 6th series chipsets.

In some cases, Serial-ATA (SATA) ports on chipsets may gradually degrade the performance and functionality of SATA-related devices, such as hard drives and DVD drives. These chipsets are used in computers with Sandy Bridge processors.

Intel has stopped the supply of defective chipsets, fixed the error and started the production of a new version of chipsets. The error did not affect the Sandy Bridge microprocessor and other products.

The corrected version of chipsets will begin to arrive to customers at the end of February. Full deliveries will resume in April. Intel plans to negotiate with OEMs for customers returning defective chipsets.
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Systems with defective chipsets have only been supplied since January 9, therefore a relatively small number of customers are affected. Affected customers are invited to contact the OEM or Intel itself through the company's website.

Intel estimates the cost of repairing and replacing defective chipsets at $ 700 million. The company's revenue for the first quarter, presumably, will decrease by $ 300 million.