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Two New AMD Mobile Chips Launched
to_kallon writes "Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has unleashed two new mobile microprocessors today. One processor belongs to the company's 64-bit Mobile Athlon64 line while the other one comes from the 32-bit Athlon XP-M product line. According to CNET News: 'Like other Athlon 64 chips, and Intel's Prescott, the new Athlon 64 3400+ will block many security threats automatically in conjunction with Windows XP Service Pack 2. The delayed SP2 is slated to come out in August. The Athlon 64 3400+ will also run a 64-bit version of Windows, due now at the end of the year.It runs at 2.2GHz and comes with 1MB of cache. Gamer-PC maker Alienware will insert the chip in a notebook later in the month. Meanwhile, the Athlon XP-M 2200+ comes from the company's older line of chips. It runs at 1.6GHz and is built around an older processor core and comes with a 512KB cache. Averatec, a small computer manufacturer, has put the chip into a notebook that can convert into a tablet PC, marking the first time AMD's chips have been used in a tablet'."
It doesn't, it's the other way around - this CPU has a feature (NX bit) that WinXP will be aware of as of SP2.
Don't worry the proc has no idea what OS is running. Its just that it supports a noexec instruction which lets you mark areas of memory as data vs. code, this makes the buffer overflow attact a little harder because the chip won't do instructions in an area that is flagged data(where the array you are exploiting would be). SP2 will give the windows OS the ability to support performing that instruction in some instances and therfore enchance security. I have already heard noises of implementing this in Linux and *BSD. Its complex from a software stand point to make really effective use of as you have to be able to predict the future to some degree but its probably a good security tool noone the less and could be extreemly benificial in many cases.
get larger fans that move more air at lower rpm.
reduce cable clutter with rounded cables and zip ties/wire mesh.
Intel has 'unleashed' new low voltage and 'ultra low voltage' Centrinos and Celerons.
You know you've been IMing too long when you almost say 'lol' out loud to a non-geeky friend...
The processor comes with a "no exec" op code that an operating system can use to enhance security. OpenBSD or Linux could use this just as readily as XP. As a matter of fact OBSD already does iirc and MS isn't doing anything truely original on this platform (yes, I'm aware other processors and OSes have offered this for years.)
I don't want knowledge. I want certainty. - Law, David Bowie
But it doesn't prevent the overflow, just the injection. This leaves your program free to (behave poorly|crash).
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NX. Sections of memory that are marked as containing data ONLY, which cannot be made to execute. If you try to execute this memory, an exception is raised.
Helps you with things like buffer overflows that are such a PITA today because of sloppy code.
They are theoretically compatible, but it depends on whether the motherboard in question supports them. The Asus K8N-E Deluxe looks like it does a good job of that, though information is scarce as it's pretty new. As for heatsinks, they aren't inherently compatible, but the Thermalright SLK-948U is one that is.
And a true mobile will work just as well as a DTR, and have even better thermals (in the case of the 35W mobile 2700+/2800+, magnitudes better).
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