Then why not leave the 8 VRMs on for that point??
why are you dodging that? what was the main gain for everyone on taking off the 4 VRMs?? You could keep shipping with 8 until you tested taking off 4.. .how can you try to keep avoiding this logic?
Simple. KNC chose to use an off the shelf power module. This means rapid prototyping but it also means higher cost. Those modules run $25 each. 8 per board means $200 per board in cost just for the power supply. That is $800 per Jupiter. If they leave 4 of them off that is an extra $400 in profit per unit. 1500 units @ $400 ea = $600,000.
There is absolutely no other reason to change the extensively designed, tested and fully operational boards right in the middle of peak production.Ding! Hits the nail directly on the head. Spot on DeathAndTaxes.