The primary reason for the update will be to support upcoming 32nm processors, including dual-core Arrandale CPU + IGP packages. These chips are expected to launch in the first half of January 2010 and will be known as Core i5 520QM, Core i5 430M 2.26GHz, Core i3 350M 2.26GHz and Core i3 330M 2.13GHz.
The B3 stepping itself includes new MM number and S-Spec numbers and will require manufacturers to implement minor firmware and BIOS updates. In particular, they will implement processor MRC and microcode updates in order to enable support for these upcoming processors.
Intel PM55 chipset gets B3 stepping
Posted on Monday, November 23 2009 @ 1:30 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck