Intel SSD 910 Series “Ramsdale,” debuts (Update)

After several solid state drives with SATA port Intel is in the context of the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing for the first time a model for the PCI Express slot to present. A native PCI Express controller is not designed for Intel SSD 910 Series, but instead uses one developed by Hitachi SAS controller .

To improve performance, Intel uses a modular RAID design of two or four of the SAS controllers that are connected to a SAS / PCIe bridge. At each turn, the controller is a NAND module with 200 GB of storage, thus resulting in the two SSD variants with 400 and 800 GB of storage.

Block diagram of Intel SSD 910 Series
It goes with the Intel SSD 710 Series continues on this course and dispensed, despite enterprise focus, even with the SSD 910 Series on SLC memory chips . Instead the company relies on MLC memory chips with High Endurance Technology (HET), which are manufactured in 25 nanometer feature size and compared with normal MLC memory chips up to 30 times to provide a longer service life – which does not extend, however, to SLC. To achieve this, Intel is committed to an optimized production process, an improved circuit design and improved testing procedures and adjustments to the controller and firmware, conserve and reduce errors to the NAND.

Rumor: Apple to negotiate on AMD CPUs in MacBooks, iMac’s and Mac Pro’s

It’s still just a rumor: Apple is negotiating with AMD on the use of its CPUs in computers. A report by appleinsider.com by authorized representatives of AMD in talks with executives from Apple have been observed. A collaboration with AMD Apple would bring more flexibility and a better bargaining position in relation to the chip giant Intel.

Notebook and desktop computer from Apple with the main processor from AMD will be the target of talks between Apple and AMD. The regular, well-informed website appleinsider.com reported meeting with representatives of AMD envoys from the management level of Apple.

Several convincing arguments suggest that Apple actually negotiating with the use of which has an AMD CPUs in Macs and Mac Books: An alternative to using Intel CPUs have, Apple would bring in a better position. This computer would not only strengthen the negotiating position against Intel.

More processors to select to have Apple would allow for more flexibility in the products. Perhaps it is also on new chip designs from Intel, which means a problem for Apple’s partnership with the Nvidia graphics card manufacturer.Another explanation, possible supply shortages from Intel, which had possibly already delayed the introduction of the new Apple notebooks. Read the rest of this entry »