This comparison between the two workstation platforms from AMD and Intel clearly shows that dual operation does not necessarily mean increased speed for all applications. Rather, you need software that has been specially adapted to multiprocessor operation, so that the load is equally distributed between the two CPUs. With its Athlon MP 2000+, AMD has added a high-performance processor to its portfolio. And what's more - it certainly holds its own against the Intel Xeon 2200.

The AMD 760MPX platform is interesting in that two processors with varying clock rates can be used. This makes it possible for parallel operation of an Athlon MP 1200 along with an Athlon MP 2000+. However, with this variation of multiprocessing, the performance increase tends to be limited. Both manufacturers propagate the use of their processors specifically in workstations. Our selected benchmarks, chosen specifically for dual-processing, show that using two CPUs makes sense only with 3D rendering and MPEG encoding (MPEG-4, Divx). However, there's not much more to say about this topic, considering the state of technology at the moment.

A few final thoughts on Intel's Hyperthreading technology, which virtually doubles the number of processors: when using typical applications that are optimized for dual processing, Hyperthreading brings no advantages with it. Rather, the overhead on data slows down the application. Only software that is specially adapted for Hyperthreading enables an increase in performance. In addition, when Hyperthreading is activated, the memory performance decreases drastically, which is partially reflected by the memory benchmark.

They are manufactured using the 0.18 micron process; the Athlon XP with Thoroughbred core, slated to be launched in the second quarter of this year, will be the first Athlon to be based on 0.13 micrometer-wide strip conductors. AMD will definitely have to apply the new technology if it wants to reach higher clock speeds. Still, the 'Thoroughbred' is merely a Palomino that has been somewhat reduced in size; new features will not be added.

Our test results show that AMD won't have to worry any time soon, even if its arch enemy Intel keeps turning up the megahertz-dial. The reason? Even at its considerably lower clock speed, the AMD Athlon outstrips its competitor Intel when used with your everyday applications. The benchmark results present a clear picture.

The Athlon XP 2100+ was outperformed by the P4/2200 only when it came to 'office performance'. In some disciplines not based on optimized software, the Athlon XP 2100+ even reached the level of a Pentium 4 at 2.4 GHz, which will not be introduced until early April. Don't forget that only using a Rambus platform will enable the Intel Pentium 4 to perform to the max.

This stands in stark contrast to Intel officially turning its back on serial memory technology and its embracing of DDR SDRAM. The monopoly has clearly been influenced by the market in this aspect. AMD paints a different picture, though. The Athlon XP works better with DDR RAM and can reach considerably higher clock speeds after the die shrink - at least in theory.

PCMag.com - Is Media Player Spyware?
By  Don Labriola
Sometimes it seems as though that there are only two types of people: Those who don't mind living in the same world as Microsoft, and those who rank Bill Gates somewhere between Saddam Hussein and the Vampire Lestat. For the last few weeks, it's begun to look as though the latter have overrun the asylum.

It began with a February 21 Associated Press report that alleged the existence of DVD-tracking spyware hidden deep within Windows Media Player for Windows XP (aka Windows Media Player 8, or simply MPXP). Although details were sketchy, the covert code appeared to work much like the functions that download CD track names into Windows Media Player 7, RealJukebox, MusicMatch Jukebox, and other popular media players. The first time MPXP mounts a particular DVD title, it retrieves disc-specific information (generically known as metadata) from Microsoft's WindowsMedia.com Web site and saves it in a cache file on your hard drive. As the article noted, if you've been watching movies that you don't want your spouse to know about (wink, nod), you'd better install a password on your XP desktop.

But that's not the worst of it. According to the story, users who unsuspectingly download metadata are assigned a permanent ID that can be used to track every disc they play. It's bad enough that the very existence of a DVD cache might tempt nosy roommates, private investigators, and overzealous government agents. But, the article asserts, privacy experts fear that the ID-based tracking mechanism could even be exploited by media conglomerates eager to know who's playing unlicensed copies of their content, or by e-marketers looking to fine-tune their spam efforts or zap you with targeted ads...

..If none of Microsoft's explanations reassures you, there are numerous ways to defeat Media Player's caching and user-tracking systems, most of which are described in Microsoft's online documentation. You can prevent MPXP from retrieving metadata by selecting the Offline Mode option from the program's File menu. (This will also disable Media Player's Internet Radio Tuner feature, which obviously requires online access.) It's easy enough to delete an existing GUID from your Cookies directory, and you can clear all downloaded metadata by simply deleting your system's cache file. Doing so will also erase other cached information, but you can restore everything except DVD data, CD listings, and the URLs of streaming-media locations by instructing Media Player to rescan your system for local media.

Finally, if you're running Internet Explorer 6, you can disable the GUID mechanism by using the following procedures to either refuse cookies from all Web sites or to block only WindowsMedia.com's cookies.

To block only WindowsMedia.com from sending cookies:

1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

2. Click the Privacy tab, and then click Edit.

3. In Address of Web site, enter http://www.windowsmedia.com and then click Block.