Intel Yorkfield Chip Delay Due To Board Issues: Report
Intel may delay the rollout of quad-core Yorkfield non-Extreme processors because of motherboard issues, according to a report at PC Watch (X-bit Labs also cited the report).

An Intel spokesperson responded this way: "All we are saying is Q1 for now, with more exact details at CES [Consumer Electronics Show]." Rumors have been circulating that Intel is delaying its Yorkfield non-Extreme processors strictly because, some theories go, competition from AMD has dwindled--due to quad-core Phenom and Barcelona delays--to the point that Intel saw no compelling reason to bring out new desktop processors.

Actually, there appears to be a more practical reason behind the delay of the Q9550, Q9450, Q9300 45-nanometer quad-core processors. Sources at Taiwan motherboard manufacturers are citing problems with the front-side bus (FSB) on certain boards that would use the Yorkfield non-Extreme processors. More specifically, mass-market four-layer boards, such as some P35-based boards, may have "noise" and stability issues, according to PC Watch which cited Taiwan motherboard vendors.

High-end, six-layer boards, such as those that use the X38 chipset, do not appear to have any FSB issues, according to the report. Consequently, high-end (six-layer) boards based on Intel's Extreme QX9650 do not have the issue, but lower-end boards using upcoming Yorkfield non-Extreme chips could potentially have issues. Apparently, Harpertown and dual-core Wolfdale boards do not have issues.

Finally, what rumors and reports seem to be missing is that Intel is not necessarily intentionally delaying these processors because it believes that AMD is not competitive. The more plausible reason is that Intel believes that it has breathing room to fix the issue because of the AMD Barcelona and Phenom delays. The Intel fix may take one to two months, according to reports.

phew, i bought six layer Foxconn Mars

Hmmm.... wonder how Intel is going to "fix" this? Would it be a CPU fix or mobo fix?

BTW, Gigabyte P35-DS3 has how many PCB aaa? 

I think normal P35 owners don't have to panic yet la...... let's see what Intel can come up with. If the Penryn truly can't run on anything except X38/X48 mobos, then the majority won't be able to run penryn.....  Imagine how many people do have 6 layer PCB or X38/X48.....

i might be going for 2nd hand Asus blitx formula , also P35 chip mobo.

do this mobo have 6 layer pcb? i state there ready for 45n penryn chip

Not sure, try and check with ASUS, my Gigabyte also said 45nm ready but still according to TS, 4 layer PCB can't run it. 

More specifically, mass-market four-layer boards, such as some P35-based boards, may have "noise" and stability issues, according to PC Watch which cited Taiwan motherboard vendors.

hmm, guy its possible we exchange if P35/4 layer PCB not stable (read: article said not stable but still can use) on Penryn processor. But I still hope they can solve this problem. If not we like been cheated, said can support but not stable.