14 DAY TRIAL // MSI has just released a notice announcing they are getting ready to launch new Intel 6-series B3 stepping chipsets that have the SATA II 3Gbps issue fixed, the new boards differentiating themselves from the older B2 Cougar Point models by the inclusion of the ‘MSI B3 Stepping Ready’ sticker.
“Consumers will be able to identify the latest MSI P67/H67 mainboards equipped with the Intel B3 Stepping chipset with the sticker ‘MSI B3 Stepping Ready’.
“This provides a more confident way to purchase your next-generation P67/H67 mainboard and a clear way to differentiate the two versions,” reads MSI's announcement regarding the new revision of its motherboards.
As we previously reported, North American users are advised to register their boards on MSI's website (follow this link) until April 30, 2011 to receive a replacement, otherwise they have to go to the original point of purchase to exchange the motherboard.
Users who registered their products are provided with a UPS 3 Day shipping label for returns and the exchanged item is delivered by UPS 3 Day shipping, at no extra cost.
On January 31, Intel released a notice announcing that almost all Sandy Bridge motherboards shipped until then were affected by a SATA bug which would, in time, slow the performance of the four SATA II 3Gbps ports.
At the heart of the problem is one of the transistors in the 3Gbps PLL clocking tree that was provided with too high of a voltage, resulting a leakage current which, over time, can cause the failure of the 3Gbps ports.
To correct this problem, Intel has started the fabrication of a new revision of the Cougar Point chipset, identified with the B3 stepping.
An article detailing how to find out if your Sandy Bridge motherboard is affected by the issue is available here.