Intel to Start Shipping B3 Stepping Cougar Point Chipset from February 14
@ 2011/02/12Intel seems to have fast-tracked its Cougar Point chipset flaw rectification. The silicon giant claims that it will be in a position to start shipping B3 stepping of Cougar Point chipsets (Intel P67, H67, etc,) from 14 February, to OEM partners. According to the latest PCN (product change notification), number 110456-00 dated 2/9/2011, Cougar Point B3 will carry the following changes/features:
* Revision ID will change from 04h to 05hOf the above, the last bullet point affirms that the SATA 3 Gb/s port defect issue, which caused physical parts of the chipset to wear out abnormally fast, degrading performance, is resolved.
* 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