AMD

Malicious hackers are increasingly targeting security vulnerabilities in open-source software that runs bulletin boards and online forums, according to Internet monitoring firm Netcraft.

The unpatched holes, in open-source software like phpBB, PostNuke, and Mambo are being used to take control of powerful servers for denial of service attacks and phishing scams. Poor deployment of security patches by administrators and the growing popularity of programs like phpBB are to blame, Netcraft said.

Advanced Micro Devices will release a dual-core version of its most powerful and expensive PC processor for high-end gamers after using a single-core design in that segment for several months.

Last April, when AMD first introduced dual-core versions of its Athlon 64 processors, known as the X2 line, it stuck with single-core designs for its top-of-the-line FX brand. But with gaming companies starting to tweak their games to take advantage of dual-core technology, the time has come to release the dual-core FX-60, said Mike Field, product manager for Athlon 64 FX processors.

THE LAST single core Athlon, the A64 4000+ is reviewed at Neoseeker. Based on the San Diego core, it still has much to offer but unfortunately, has been almost made redundant by the X2 3800+. A very good overclocker on its own - provided you have an equally good cooler, it will keep many overclockers awaken for some time to come.

Fred Weber, the chief technology officer at Advanced Micro Devices and one of the executives often cited as being behind the company's turnaround, is leaving to invest in start-ups.

Meanwhile, Phil Hester, who co-founded Opteron server manufacturer Newisys and spent more than two decades at IBM, will be taking over the CTO spot at Sunnyvale, Calif.-based AMD. Hester starts Monday.

The departure is amiable, according to AMD and one analyst, and probably not much will change with AMD's technological direction.

The lawsuit AMD filed against its arch-rival, Intel, alleges that a tweak in Intel's compilers can hinder the performance of code running on AMD processors.

Get ready for thunder and lightning, because this battle could be of epic proportions. AMD has filed a 48-page suit in U.S. District Court in Delaware alleging that Intel has used a monopoly in the chip market to coerce and bribe PC manufacturers in order to prevent potential customers from working with AMD. While many are thinking "this is news?", AMD's laundry list of complaints paints a picture of a conniving, law-breaking Intel that will stop at nothing to keep AMD out of a fair race.

AMD INVITED some hacks in Londonium to one-to-one, face-to-face presentations, as a prelude to the launch of the AMD forthcoming FX57 processor.

We were separately told that the FX57 will come very soon and will be available in quantity from launch.

We also learned that the FX57 would be pimped as an overclocking processor.

The battle for dual-core dominance in the desktop computer market began on Tuesday as AMD launched its dual-core Athlon 64 X2 against the Intel Pentium D introduced last week. "With the introduction of the AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor, desktop users will gain incredible performance benefits with the ability to multi-task and do more in less time," said Bob Brewer from AMD.

Although Microsoft has laid out its 64-bit product roadmap, application support has been another story.

No more. Microsoft is crediting both Intel and AMD with helping it deliver x86 64-bit versions of its Windows OS at its WinHEC event in Seattle late last month.

That means new x64 applications, including Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP, are in the product queue. Microsoft also has several of its other apps in the x64 pipeline such as SQL Server, Visual Studio and a x64 version of Small Business Edition of Windows Server 2003.

FRENCH WEBSITE TT hardware tests the Pentium 840EE and its sibling the Pentium D 840 processor. They start with a wise expression from the car industry. Power sells cars and torque make them move. They go on to show what others have already showed before. The various advantages of the Intel's dual core technology. Can't beat AMD in mono-threaded games but interesting performance in others.