Intel to begin shipping updated Sandy Point chipsets Feb 14th

dalaohu

On Monday (February 14th) Intel will begin shipping updated B3 stepping Cougar Point chipsets to fix the Sandy Bridge flaw announced a few weeks ago.

From Intel (PDF):

    Intel is initiating an B2 to B3 stepping conversion for the Intel ® 6 Express Chipsets and Intel ® C200 Series Chipsets where products will undergo the following changes:
    - New S-specs and MM numbers for the converting products
    - Revision ID will change from 04h to 05h
    - BIOS Update (Revision 1.1.4 of the BIOS Specification Update and Reference
    Code)
    - B3 stepping package is pin compatible with B2 stepping package
    - Minor metal layer change from B2 to B3 improving lifetime wear out with no changes to functionality or design specifications

Most of the major OEMs have already outlined plans for dealing with the problem, but none of them can start handing out replacement parts until Intel had the parts available.