The SATA 2 recall bug for H67 and P67 boards really threatens to shake up Intel, but luckily for you Intel has a new CPU and new chipset scheduled for 1H 2012 launch, most likely early Q1 2012.

Considering the Sandy Bridge chipset recall we would not be surprised to see Ivy Bridge CPU and Intel seventh series chipset codenamed Panther Point even earlier, e.g. in Q4 2011 but this is nothing we can confirm today. This can happen if Intel can ramp up 22nm production and if Sandy Bridge takes a really big hit with this chipset recall fiasco.

Intel officially tells its partners that Ivy Bridge 22nm comes in 1H 2012 and that it has a third generation of Hi-K metal gate process technology as well as next generation Intel HD graphics and a new memory controller.

Integrated memory controller now supports two channel DDR3 up to 1600 and it also has support for SO DIMMS if one needs them. The controller supports two modules per channel, so the magical number for memory slots is four.

The CPU's will come in 35W, 45W, 65W and 95W increments making them power compatible with Sandy Bridge parts that are sitting in the same power bracket. The CPU supports Turbo Boost technology 2.0, the same one that you might see with Sandy Bridge, as well as the next generation Quick Sync video technology thanks to its new DirectX 11 graphics.

Lets not forget the enhanced AVX acceleration.