So the new MacBook Pro's use the faulty SATA II ports for the OptBay Drive. What Now?

[ho.a1985]

I believe that the 2011 MacBook Pro do not use the faulty chipsets, but I could be mistaken.

Its my understanding that the faulty chipsets are Cougar Point B2 stepping. Intel solution is to release a revised Cougar Point chipset with B3 stepping. Specifically the B3 stepping has a “minor metal layer change from B2 to B3 improving lifetime wear out and no change to functionality or design specification” (Intel) thus fixing the problem with SATA ports 2 through 5. Browsing through ifixit teardown guide reveals that the chipset on the mainboard is an Intel BD82HM65 Platform Controller Hub. A simple Google search of the controller hub directs you to Intel own website. Spec information from Intel reveals that this hub is B3 stepping.

 

[Derango]

I believe that the 2011 MacBook Pro do not use the faulty chipsets, but I could be mistaken.

Its my understanding that the faulty chipsets are Cougar Point B2 stepping. Intel solution is to release a revised Cougar Point chipset with B3 stepping. Specifically the B3 stepping has a “minor metal layer change from B2 to B3 improving lifetime wear out and no change to functionality or design specification” (Intel) thus fixing the problem with SATA ports 2 through 5. Browsing through ifixit teardown guide reveals that the chipset on the mainboard is an Intel BD82HM65 Platform Controller Hub. A simple Google search of the controller hub directs you to Intel own website. Spec information from Intel reveals that this hub is B3 stepping.

This. The Macworld Info is newer than the "they're not going to use the faulty ports and release anyway" line of thinking that we had.

Apple's MBP site even says "All the models use Intel’s recently refined chipsets."

The chipset is fine. But it's kinda crappy that they used the SATA II for the ODD and limited the speed for any potential user upgrades, even if they are unsupported.

 

[zippys]

*delete*

 

[zippys]

I believe that the 2011 MacBook Pro do not use the faulty chipsets, but I could be mistaken.

Its my understanding that the faulty chipsets are Cougar Point B2 stepping. Intel solution is to release a revised Cougar Point chipset with B3 stepping. Specifically the B3 stepping has a “minor metal layer change from B2 to B3 improving lifetime wear out and no change to functionality or design specification” (Intel) thus fixing the problem with SATA ports 2 through 5. Browsing through ifixit teardown guide reveals that the chipset on the mainboard is an Intel BD82HM65 Platform Controller Hub. A simple Google search of the controller hub directs you to Intel own website. Spec information from Intel reveals that this hub is B3 stepping.

Actually, that is not true. The Intel BD82HM65 Platform Controller Hub can be either B2 or B3 stepping. The "Spec Code" is what will tell you if it's B2 or B3.

BD82HM65 SLH9D (B2) SLJ4P (B3)

I haven't seen anyone that has shown that the Spec Code is SLJ4P.

*edit*
nm, just looked at the gigantic picture and saw it does say SLJ4P so it is B3 stepping If anyone opens their macbook up to fix the thermal paste I would check this.

 

[PUMMYUK]

I may be misinformed here so please take this with a pinch of salt. This is not something that can be forced to connect at 6Gbp with a jumper, BIOS setting, or some other configuration step?

Just putting it out there.