Sigh I just got my i7 950 2 months ago. Now obsolete again. hahaha

That won't happen. You can't buy high-end proc of previous gen at cheap price. They'll simply phase it out and put it out of production.
Even higher end C2Q chips today not that cheap.

That's how to do business.

Yes but wont be so soon anyway it's too early to say.
Somehow from the benches observed, 1366 is still a lot better than 1155. Something like 4.7ghz 1155 = 4.5ghz 1366.

hmmmm i think will skip Sandy Bridge, wait Ivy Bridge. Sure Sandy drop price also hahaha ...!

This problem apparently wasn't detected early on because of its nature, involving a slow degradation of SATA connectivity over time. Intel estimates that something like 5% of systems could develop problems over a three-year life span, assuming typical laptop usage patterns. Beyond that time window, the failure rate might rise further. For systems with heavier usage patterns, the failure rate during that initial three-year window could be as high as roughly 15%. That's obviously high enough to warrant the drastic action Intel is taking.

Just think of it this way, it affects all chipsets released until the announcement was made. Because, the fault-free chipsets are currently being processed and is targeted to be delivered sometime around mid-February.

hi all,
just wan to verify.
this cougar point issue just affected the motherboard chipset right?
the Sandy bridge processor still solid. only replacement for motherboard needed right?

As part of ongoing quality assurance, Intel has discovered a design issue in a recently released support chip, the Intel® 6 Series, code-named Cougar Point, and has implemented a silicon fix. In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets may degrade over time, potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives. The chipset is utilized in PCs with Intel’s latest Second Generation Intel Core processors, code-named Sandy Bridge. Intel has stopped shipment of the affected support chip from its factories. Intel has corrected the design issue, and has begun manufacturing a new version of the support chip which will resolve the issue. The Sandy Bridge microprocessor is unaffected and no other products are affected by this issue.   

new batch of p67 mobo will only reach around APRIL?

so long... will getting a i2600k from intel fren soon...

but now... no mobo.... the proc for decoration only...

I don't think it is good move to resume the shipment with known defective issue.

Even the OEM manufacturers are not using the defective Sata port, but the feeling of customers may not the same.

Just like buying a new car with 4 tyres + 1 spare tyres.
But the 1 spare tyre is defective one, although it won't affect the car operation/driving, everything still run perfectly, but as a customer although you are not using it, the feeling of buying this car is not the same.

Unless the chipset mobo being sold at significantly discount, then make sense for customer
and the customer being told the issue.

Above just my opinion.

Good news for those who havent buy the board and existing MSI's user... MSI had updated their latest B3 Stepping boards on their website. I think  Malaysia will available very soon...
http://us.msi.com/index.php?func=prodpage1&maincat_no=1

I heard most major manufacturer pay for ur 2 way postage fees, so why give the fuss about bothering Retailers, just request local distro to send u the package for collections and wait for ur new board, right?

but one thing is the Asus "B3" stepping identifier is not really secure, they should have printed the B3 directly to the mobo PCB, not on box,sticker. 

Troublesome innit?
I guess this is one of the 'perks' of being an early adopter.

I think I'm just gonna wait until April then swap at the MSI office. Might as well get the free SATA card and get it over with. Don't want to make any extra trips.

Dear all,

We are glad to announce that our distributors have received the shipment of new Sandy Bridge B3 motherboard. The early shipment is due to a favor from Intel by allocating some B3 chipset to us earlier that predicted. Thus as per the initial plan for the shipment to reach our shore on April 2011, the SATA card shipment couldn't make it to Malaysia. This is due to pre-allocation of the SATA card couldn't be allocated to the Multimedia Production Line.

Therefore, MSI customer who is anticipating for our MSI Malaysia Sandy Bridge Swapping Program, we regret to announce that there is a glitch on the SATA card redemption process. Therefore we provide the 3 options as below:
1) Swap new B3 motherboard first and we will courier out the SATA card by PosLaju to end user once we get hold of the stock of SATA Card.
2) Swap new B3 motherboard first. Then drop by to MSI Malaysia Office once again to collect the SATA Card upon stock arrival.
3) Swap new B3 motherboard and the SATA Card together in April 2011 once we get hold of the stock of SATA Card.

However for all the options above, please do take note that end user are required to call MSI Malaysia at 1300-22-1986 two working days before dropping by to our office to ease the allocation process.
Lastly, we would like to apologise to all MSI Sandy Bridge users for the inconvenience caused due to the early shipment of the new B3 mainboard.

Thank you.

None so far, all my old CD-RW,DVD-RW are useless now.   

or  rely on USB as external drive. 

Asrock Fatal1ty Profesional http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Mode...%20Professional
This mobo supports IDE port and old LGA775 cooler called Cooler Combo Option

The one right below it, the Extreme 6 have, weirdly, a Floppy drive ...
but still have the CCO
these two are seriously making me think twice about getting a MSI P67 GD65....sigh

Asrock F1 Pro - a bit high on price
Asrock E6 - no supply here in M'sia
MSI GD65 - no IDE and CCO

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Added on March 21, 2011, 8:27 pmjust to add p8p67-LE and M also have the IDE

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=TzGz...7vc5&templete=2

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=hcyf...kTNm&templete=2