Computers - Intel making a mistake with DDR3?

In the first half of the next year Intel Corp. will be launching its next evolution of its Core microarchitecture, codenamed Nehalem and probably launched as Core 3.

The most radical change there is the move from the FSB bus interface and adoption of a complex, high-speed bus interface developed by Intel which unifies the platforms for Workstation and low end Server Xeon and HPC and cluster Itanium² processors, dubbed CSI (common system interface).
This will be followed by a new on-chip memory controller which will significantly reduce latencies at memory access, increase available bandwidth and improve multisocket scaling in general over current chipsets featuring external memory controller.

Intel will then also use new DDR3 memory, which is projected to run at significantly higher speed standards while consuming less power thanks to reduction in voltage requirement.
But that will be followed by very high latencies, a problem encountered when comparing DDR2 to DDR1 as well.
Having seen the performance hit AMD processors, that have been featuring an on-die memory controller for some time now, took after switching to a DDR2 platform and therefore higher memory latencies, the question arises whether or not Intel will have problems as well after the implementation of their on-chip memory controller since DDR3 memory latencies will be up to two times as high as on current DDR2 memory.
In any case Intel needs to drop FB-DIMM for Xeon because Workstations rarely use the amount of memory Fully Buffered memory is projected to be used for. At least the buyer should be able to choose between regular Registered ECC memory and FB-DIMM.

Intel should really work on latency reduction now. "Just in case..."

Automobiles - "New" Audi R4

Rumors have been floating around concerning a possible upcoming expansion of Audi´s "R" roadcar model "line up" (in quotation marks since there´s only one yet, the supercar R8) after the great general feedback after the R8 release.

Well, things are starting to take shape. A quite appealing shape if you ask me. Of course nobody can expect an expansion upwards of the R8 which is quite impossible at its price tag of 104.400 € or about 145.000 $. But considering Volkswagen´s and Audi´s huge inventory of car parts, a lower-end model could really pay off.

We are talking about a possible R4 model, the R8´s smaller brother.
The R4 - if produced - will follow the R8 concept of a mid-engine and 2 seats (theres only that much space since the engine takes half of the whole car). It´s likely to not feature the ASF (aluminium space frame) but a more cost-effective steel spaceframe and aluminium body parts combination. However, the R4 still not weigh much more than 1200 kg (should only be higher if many interior options are ordered).
The car will feature the well-known 2.0l TFSI engine which will get a power upgrade to 270-280 horse power (probably thanks to bigger turbo chargers).
A possible RS version - don´t ask how the naming would work - will see the comeback of Audi´s most popular engine type, the in-line-5. In particular with a displacement of about 2.5l, turbo charged for a power output of up to 360 horse power, a number Audi usually achieves with their 4.2l V8 FSI engine found in the flagship model A8.

At a weight of 1200 kg, every horse power of the RS version would have to move only 3.3 kg which is far less than the Lamborghini Gallardo for example which has a rating of 4.2 kg/hp in its latest "Superleggera" (= "super light") evolution.

The R4 would be a perfect contender against the Porsche Cayman. And with such cars, we´re talking about a prestigious battle. The R4 will likely win here since Audi could price the car competitively due to low development costs.
The battle for big sales however is fought against BMW´s Z4 coupé, 3-series coupé (330 and up) and Mercedes Benz CLK, SLK models (whatever these models will look like by then).
It is safe to say that the R4 will offer far superior performance (thanks to its mid-engine and probably quattro 4WD) but as a brand new model it will probably more expensive than the competitors. It might come down to heart vs. mind.