[glycerin256]

Quote:

Intel made a deliberate decision to announce its stop-shipment when it did. For those unaware, the notification went out the day before many companies in Taiwan and China started celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. As a result, most companies were caught completely off guard. The majority of our motherboard contacts believe this was a strategic move on Intel's part to reduce the amount of "organized outrage from Taiwan," as one person said. For many people, this is the only time during the year when they get a vacation, so there was a high level of frustration.

Quote:

None of the motherboard companies we contacted had a complaint about the way Intel handled its stop-shipment. As one person said, “It’s just business.†However, everyone wishes that Intel had briefed them earlier. There are several reasons why Intel couldn’t disclose the chipset bug before Jan. 31. Recall notices are subject to federal regulations and customer protection laws. Once Intel committed to a stop-shipment, it was legally bound to make the disclosure public before its motherboard partners were informed.

Quote:

As consumers, this is great news. Starting in April and May, there are going to be many excellent deals, because every sales team will be under pressure to hit those sales quotas. Most of our motherboard contacts do feel that Z68 is going to put a little bit of pressure on P67 because of some demographic overlap. But, for the most part, no one expects P67 to suffer from Z68's introduction. At the same time, Z68 is going to be very price-competitive, since every company will be scrambling to recover revenue lost in Q1.

Quote:

According to customer protection laws, any motherboard that a customer returns to have its chipset replaced must be sold as “recertified†or “refurbished.†Because Intel is reimbursing companies on a per-unit basis, the terms of many reimbursement contracts require motherboard companies to send the board back to Intel. We are told that some companies are considering merely replacing the chipsets on used boards, but this is unlikely. If Intel is willing to cover the cost of replacing the entire board, it is doubtful that any motherboard company would choose to replace only the chipset, which would result in lower quality. Resoldering a chipset adds a level of complexity that lowers the production yield compared to factory new motherboards, because some will fail the re-validation process. Either way, these motherboards will be labeled if they are sold. However, if a B2 motherboard was in the factory waiting to be shipped prior to the stop-shipment, replacing a chipset and labeling the motherboard as “new†is still perfectly legal.

Source

I hope the bolded part is correct, it should be a great time to upgrade!

I found it pretty interesting...

but damn them for talking away peoples holidays! Also, some info i didn;t know about consumer protection and how the refurb gets slapped on there.

 

[bl4ckdr4g0n]

Good find and very interesting... opens your eyes to what really is going on

 

[Mr.Pie]

rather interesting read

 

[s-x]

Quote:

Either way, these motherboards will be labeled if they are sold. However, if a B2 motherboard was in the factory waiting to be shipped prior to the stop-shipment, replacing a chipset and labeling the motherboard as "new" is still perfectly legal.

I think everyone would agree that they would want a motherboard straight off the line and not some Frankenstein monster. Even if it passes the same QC it just is a bit unnerving that they can do that and sell it as new :/

 

[glycerin256]

Quote:

Originally Posted by s-x I think everyone would agree that they would want a motherboard straight off the line and not some Frankenstein monster. Even if it passes the same QC it just is a bit unnerving that they can do that and sell it as new :/

agreed!

 

[DuckieHo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by s-x I think everyone would agree that they would want a motherboard straight off the line and not some Frankenstein monster. Even if it passes the same QC it just is a bit unnerving that they can do that and sell it as new :/

Not really a big deal. Companies can just desolder the chip and drop in a new chip. This can be done by a machine.

What is the difference between new and new?

 

[kaivorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo Not really a big deal. Companies can just desolder the chip and drop in a new chip. This can be done by a machine. What is the difference between new and new?

Desoldering and resoldering is an extra processes. With each new process comes a new possible failure. I'm sure this is nothing to worry about, but I would much rather have one that hasn't had a chip removed and replaced.

 

[DuckieHo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaivorth Desoldering and resoldering is an extra processes. With each new process comes a new possible failure. I'm sure this is nothing to worry about, but I would much rather have one that hasn't had a chip removed and replaced.

Yes, but BGA soldering is a very mature and well-established process. These companies have done this billions of times already.

 

[PoopaScoopa]

Great time to upgrade

 

[SkillzKillz]

Even still, your motherboards would still be covered under warranty.

 

[Phantom123]

The best time to upgrade is when all the companies have their new products out. I read a slide saying that AMD's FX series will be even more price competitive than the Phenom x6.

Summer is when everyone usually upgrades anyway, with back to school and all.

 

[TCOC]

It's called rework.

Don't know how many HD cyl. heads I have welded, or boat/jetski props for that matter, can you tell the difference, no, and its still under warranty.

 

[scaz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo Yes, but BGA soldering is a very mature and well-established process. These companies have done this billions of times already.

LOL it's not like the first chip was put in there a different way and test a different way.

 

[Fallendreams]

Time to start saving some money up.

 

[sLowEnd]

lol

 

[Lostcase]

Quote:

Originally Posted by s-x;13022638
I think everyone would agree that they would want a motherboard straight off the line and not some Frankenstein monster. Even if it passes the same QC it just is a bit unnerving that they can do that and sell it as new :/

I wouldn't care if I Get it at a great deal with normal warranty...

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[The-Real-Link]

Was an interesting read, thanks.

 

[Sin0822]

old news about it being on Chinese new year, old news about the laws, they are actually only US laws, but it seems that is all Intel cares about anyways

. Anyways what pissed off the OEms is that Intel didn't tell them before they told the public, in TW this isn't the law, and they don't operate under USA protocols.

 

[Dromihetes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sLowEnd;13026022

lol

No way !

Such thing is imposible.

 

[regal]

Really this recall isn't over. The selection of P67 motherboards is thin, there seems to still be a supply issue or something else, prices of what is available are inflated. I'm thinking MB makers haven't made much on Cougarpoint yet, and with the checks from intel may never be motivated to do so. Sales have got to be hurting, hopefully the article is correct and the 2nd quarter will bring a surplus with competition.

But you have to wonder if the market for SB is so small compared to laptops and tablets that its just a niche, not bread and butter and therefore not a high priority for any of the manufacturers?