Bought a new Intel Core i5 or i7 recently?

Bought a new Intel Core i5 or i7 processor (or new PC with one of those CPUs) in the last three weeks? ZDNet reports Intel will be handling returns of i5 and i7 processors due to a flaw in a support chip that can lead to degraded performance of SATA drives over time.  The chipset chip is known as “Series 6”.  There is no specific problem with the CPU itself.  Intel will be working with board manufacturers to replace the affected chip.

The bug affects second generation “Sandy Bridge” processor chipsets sold since January 9, 2011 (when the new Series 6 support chip was first available).  Good thing for Intel they caught the problem sooner than later.