Sandy Bridge-E CPU Launch Pushed Back to Q1 2012

The launch of Intel’s new range of Sandy Bridge-E processors, originally expected to take place in Q4 2011 seems to have been delayed until Q1 2012 according to reliable sources.

The new chips using the LGA2011 socket with Intel’s X79 chipset are set to take the performance crown of the CPU market. Featuring quad-channel DDR3 memory controllers and reels of PCI-E lanes, they are going to make the perfect foundation for a high end platform.

So what is the reasoning behind this delay?

Well, maybe Intel are scared of what AMD are going to offer with their new BullDozer line up of CPU’s, so they are playing it safe and letting AMD ‘roll the dice’ first.

Another reason could be that Intel are instead focusing more on the server market and allowing their consumer line-up of CPU’s to take the full brunt of the delay.

Whatever the reasoning, this could have a bad outcome for Intel especially considering they may lose a large proportion of customers who just cannot delay their purchase until after the Christmas season.