Intel To Still Launch Sandy Bridge-E in 2011, But With Reduced Platform Feature-Set

**PhenomIIX4** · 07-18-11 at 08:00 AM

Sandy Bridge-E is Intel's next-generation high-end desktop and enterprise platform that is an upscale of the Sandy Bridge platform the company launched early this year. At this year's major trade-shows such as Computex, motherboard partners displayed their socket LGA2011 motherboards with the complete feature-set of the platform. Apart from the large socket, and memory slots at odd places, the most distinct feature of those motherboards was the plethora of SATA ports they came with. Even the most [relatively] low-end LGA2011 motherboards had around 10 SATA ports, most of which were 6 Gb/s. Platform schematics also made it to the public domain around that time, revealing a key feature that makes driving 8 SATA 6 Gb/s ports possible: a supplementary PCI-Express 3.0 x4 link between the X79 PCH and the LGA2011 processor, that adds 16 GB/s (8 GB/s per direction) of bandwidth between the processor and the chipset, without which the storage controller would be severely bottlenecked with the DMI Gen2 (physical PCI-Express 2.0 x4), with its puny 8 GB/s (4 GB/s per direction) bandwidth.

Originally slated for Q4 2011, Intel's Sandy Bridge-E platform was reported to have been delayed to Q1 2012. It is now emerging that Patsburg-D, the variant of Patsburg X79 chipset, which features 8 SATA/SAS 6 Gb/s ports, which requires that supplementary PCI-E 3.0 x4 link, may be causing a development hold up at Intel. So, the company is planning on launching the platform this year itself, but with Patsburg-B, a variant of the chipset that has only four SATA/SAS 6 Gb/s ports, and relies entirely on DMI as the chipset interconnect. The slide below lists out differences between the many variants of Patsburg PCH. DMI would give the platform the same amount of chipset interconnect bandwidth as today's LGA1155-Cougar Point platform. It is, however possible that the higher Patsburg-D/X variants will be launched when Intel irons out whatever issues exist with them.

Link under "reported."

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http://www.techpowerup.com/148282/Sandy-Bridge-E-Delayed-to-January-2012-Sources.html

Source:

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http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-might-yet-get-sandy-bridge-e-out-this-year/12991.html

**Journalz** · 07-19-11 at 01:51 AM

I'm still running my i7 920 hehe. The LGA 2011 socket will probably be delayed further (Intel still has plans to release the i7 995X sometime soon~ 6 Core LGA 1366) I'm probably gonna wait for Skylake or Haswell, depending on how long my current build lasts.

jimm · 07-19-11 at 02:29 AM

ill just wait and then upgrade my current rig to the max and then by that time SB E or the next gen will be out.

not a big deal really.

**FirtY** · 07-19-11 at 06:33 AM

I'm running a 920 as well and imho the only upgrade needed is a modest overclock to say 3.5GHz, a couple of expansion cards i.e USB3 and Sata6, both for below 100Euro
Brings my system right up to date.... Don't get caught up in the hype people...!

SoreGums · 07-31-11 at 03:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by FirtY

I'm running a 920 as well and imho the only upgrade needed is a modest overclock to say 3.5GHz, a couple of expansion cards i.e USB3 and Sata6, both for below 100Euro
Brings my system right up to date.... Don't get caught up in the hype people...!

Also on 920, overclocked on air to 3.8GHz w/ 12GB RAM - waiting for the next gen 6core cpu. will upgrade then

The 920 has been awesome bang for buck.

**OldHippieRick** · 07-31-11 at 02:45 PM

Thanks!

I musta missed this first time around. :)

This will be my new upgrade platform.

I'm pretty disappointed with the lack of USB3 but that's never been a factor because I use eSATA.

AAR, I'll be going with the LGA2011 platform.

Anyone interested in this slightly used P6T? :)

07-19-11 at 01:51 AM	#2
Journalz Novice Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 104	I'm still running my i7 920 hehe. The LGA 2011 socket will probably be delayed further (Intel still has plans to release the i7 995X sometime soon~ 6 Core LGA 1366) I'm probably gonna wait for Skylake or Haswell, depending on how long my current build lasts.

07-19-11 at 02:29 AM	#3
jimm Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 267	ill just wait and then upgrade my current rig to the max and then by that time SB E or the next gen will be out. not a big deal really.

07-19-11 at 06:33 AM	#4
FirtY Elder Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eire Posts: 2,948	I'm running a 920 as well and imho the only upgrade needed is a modest overclock to say 3.5GHz, a couple of expansion cards i.e USB3 and Sata6, both for below 100Euro Brings my system right up to date.... Don't get caught up in the hype people...!

07-31-11 at 03:04 AM	#5
SoreGums Newcomer Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1	Quote: Originally Posted by FirtY I'm running a 920 as well and imho the only upgrade needed is a modest overclock to say 3.5GHz, a couple of expansion cards i.e USB3 and Sata6, both for below 100Euro Brings my system right up to date.... Don't get caught up in the hype people...! Also on 920, overclocked on air to 3.8GHz w/ 12GB RAM - waiting for the next gen 6core cpu. will upgrade then The 920 has been awesome bang for buck.

07-31-11 at 02:45 PM	#6
OldHippieRick Expert Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 710	Thanks! I musta missed this first time around. :) This will be my new upgrade platform. I'm pretty disappointed with the lack of USB3 but that's never been a factor because I use eSATA. AAR, I'll be going with the LGA2011 platform. Anyone interested in this slightly used P6T? :)