News Stories


Kernel-memory-leaking Intel processor design flaw forces Linux, Windows redesign | Pe

Submitted by: SINep @ 08:23 PM | Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | (url: https://www.there...)

A fundamental design flaw in Intel's processor chips has forced a significant redesign of the Linux and Windows kernels to defang the chip-level security bug.

Programmers are scrambling to overhaul the open-source Linux kernel's virtual memory system. Meanwhile, Microsoft is expected to publicly introduce the necessary changes to its Windows operating system in an upcoming Patch Tuesday: these changes were seeded to beta testers running fast-ring Windows Insider builds in November and December.

Crucially, these updates to both Linux and Windows will incur a performance hit on Intel products. The effects are still being benchmarked, however we're looking at a ballpark figure of five to 30 per cent slow down, depending on the task and the processor model. More recent Intel chips have features such as PCID to reduce the performance hit. Your mileage may vary.

Best case: 17% slowdown
Worst case: 23% slowdown
The Register (@TheRegister) January 2, 2018

Similar operating systems, such as Apple's 64-bit macOS, will also need to be updated the flaw is in the Intel x86-64 hardware, and it appears a microcode update can't address it. It has to be fixed in software at the OS level, or go buy a new processor without the design blunder.

Details of the vulnerability within Intel's silicon are under wraps: an embargo on the specifics is due to lift early this month, perhaps in time for Microsoft's Patch Tuesday next week. Indeed, patches for the Linux kernel are available for all to see but comments in the source code have been redacted to obfuscate the issue.

However, some details of the flaw have surfaced, and so this is what we know.


More:
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/01/02/intel_cpu_design_flaw/


google's quantum computer

Submitted by: Goshin @ 01:42 PM | Thursday, October 17, 2013 | (url: http://www.thever...)

seems cool, but we wont get one anytime soon. that shit has to operate at near absolute zero temps

Beyond the film, Google says it's made great leaps in recent experiments with the quantum chips, determining which algorithms work better in a quantum setup and providing further evidence that the D-Wave processor uses quantum entanglement, a behavior that links particles with no apparent physical connection between them. D-Wave has always claimed that its chips involved entanglement, but it had been difficult to conclusively demonstrate before now.

The first practical application has been on Google Glass, as engineers put the quantum chips to work on Glass's blink detector, helping it to better distinguish between intentional winks and involuntary blinks. For engineering reasons, the quantum processor can never be installed in Glass, but together with Google's conventional server centers, it can point the way to a better blink-detecting algorithm. That would allow the Glass processor to detect blinks with better accuracy and using significantly less power. If successful, it could be an important breakthrough for wink-triggered apps, which have struggled with the task so far.

Category: Hardware | 50 Comments
Tags: computers

Tricorder X Prize

Submitted by: Hazee Daze @ 08:59 PM | Saturday, January 14, 2012 | (url: http://www.qualco...)

Pretty cool X Prize...A cool ten mil purse.


Acer Travelmate 6593 Battery

Submitted by: regoy @ 04:19 AM | Friday, June 11, 2010 | (url: http://www.wholes...)

High quality and low price replacement acer travelmate 6593 battery that are manufactured to meet or exceed the specifications of the original brand manufacturer. All laptop batteries are brand new in box, never used, highest quality premium Japanese Li-ion cells are used in the travelmate 6593 battery. 100% original manufacturer compatible and run longer time!


Dell Studio XPS 1640 Battery

Submitted by: regoy @ 09:48 PM | Friday, January 22, 2010 | (url: http://www.wholes...)

High quality and low price replacement dell studio xps 1640 battery that are manufactured to meet or exceed the specifications of the original brand manufacturer. All laptop batteries are brand new in box, never used, highest quality premium Japanese Li-ion cells are used in the studio xps 1640 battery. 100% original manufacturer compatible and run longer time!


Intels Earnings Up an Astounding 875%

Submitted by: KnightMare @ 09:09 AM | Friday, January 15, 2010 | (url: http://mashable.c...)

The worlds largest chipmaker just wowed Wall Street and the tech world with its latest earnings report. The publicly-traded company reported a net income of $2.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009, up an amazing 875% from its $234 million earnings in the fourth quarter of 2008. This more than beat Wall Street expectations.

While we wont go into detail over the financial numbers (you can do that here [PDF]), we do want to highlight some of the key stats:

- Revenues in Q4 2009 rose to $10.6 billion, a climb of 28% from $8.3 billion last year.

- However, if you look at the big picture, Intel had a better 2008 than 2009. 2009 revenues were $35.1 billion, while 2008 revenues reached $37.6 billion. Thats a 7% difference.

- Intel predicts revenues of approximately $9.7 billion in Q1 2010, above Wall Street estimates.

- Around a year ago, at the heart of the economic collapse, Intel decided to invest $7 billion into new chip plants. It looks to be paying off.

Intels Q4 report is one of the first to come out this year, but it wont be the last. If Intels numbers are any indication though, were nearing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Category: Hardware | 20 Comments
Tags: intel

Sales of PC Gaming Hardware Predicted to Hit $27B in 2010

Submitted by: 9Millimeter @ 10:22 AM | Saturday, November 21, 2009 | (url: http://www.i4u.co...)

JPR has released a new report that predicts sales of PC gaming hardware will reach $27 billion in 2010. The global PC hardware gaming market is expected to grow by $1.2 billion this year, a 5.9% increase from 2008.

The increase is due to an increased demand for enthusiast, performance, and mainstream hardware influenced by the desire to play games on the PC. The PC gaming market is set to grow by 30% in 2010 due in part to delays in buying systems in 2008/2009 as users waited for the economy to improve.

This means that any of you console gamers out there who like to think PC gaming is dead need to think again. The market is growing impressively despite the poor economy and top tier games are still coming to the platform.

www.i4u.com/article28511.html

Category: Hardware | 14 Comments
Tags: games hardware

Fusion-io ioXtreme PCI Express SSD Sneak Peek!

Submitted by: KnightMare @ 02:05 PM | Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | (url: http://hothardwar...)

If you've been watching our previous coverage of Fusion-io's almost too good be true PCI Express SSD products, you'll know that while the company makes no bones about the fact that their enterprise class cards are ridiculously expensive, they are also planning on delivering an "enthusiast" class card that will align better price-wise with the average end user just looking for killer storage performance. It appears the planning process is over today and though it was delayed a month or two, Fusion-io is now executing on that plan.

Fusion-io's ioXtreme and ioXtreme Pro cards just showed up to the Boston HH Test Labs and as we like to say around here, they're looking pretty .

We've received two cards for testing here; one is the ioXtreme Pro, that you can install multiple cards into a system for RAID configurations and the other is the ioXtreme for single-card installations. Save for the heat sink color coding and the "X" logo on the standard card's backplate, it's almost impossible to tell the two cards apart, at least mechanically.

It's true, your eyes do not deceive you. You're looking at a product that offers 300MB/sec average write throughput and 750 - 800MB/sec of average read throughput. We're going to strap on a drool bib and get back to testing these bad boys a bit more. RAID 0 anyone?

Category: Hardware | 7 Comments
Tags: fusionio

Nvidia Halting Nforce Chipset Development

Submitted by: Beren @ 08:05 PM | Thursday, October 8, 2009 | (url: http://www.pcmag....)

Nvidia has announced it will cease development of future Nforce hardware until its suit with Intel is settled sometime in 2010. Intel has alleged that a previous chipset agreement between it and Nvidia does not apply to the Core or Nehalem series of processors.


Review: AMD HD 5850

Submitted by: Beren @ 07:43 AM | Thursday, October 1, 2009 | (url: http://www.hardoc...)

As a very happy owner of a 4850 from the last gen I am obviously very interested in the 5850. Looking at the specs the 5850 look to be even closer to the 5870 then the 4850 was to the 4870. So anyone looking for a midrange part to kick some serious arse this is the ticket.

Category: Hardware | 9 Comments
Tags: 5850 amd ati gpu review

Review: AMD HD 5870

Submitted by: Beren @ 07:36 AM | Thursday, October 1, 2009 | (url: http://www.hardoc...)

The first DX11 card to hit the shelves. A very impressive card that has me drooling and thinking buying one shortly. Check out this review to see for yourself.


Sony announces specs for 2TB Memory Stick XC

Submitted by: KnightMare @ 09:19 AM | Wednesday, August 5, 2009 | (url: http://www.sonyin...)

Sony has finalized specifications of Memory Stick XC, which was also known back during CES 2009 as Memory Stick Format Series for Extended High Capacity. At that time, Sony had mentioned that this new Memory Stick would have 2TB maximum capacity, but details were rather scarce. A new page on Sonys oss-formats.org website has listed all of the details for the Memory Stick XC, which is really exciting especially considering that the form factor for these new flash cards are (on paper) the same as pre-existing memory sticks, which means that these high capacity juggernauts are most likely backwards compatible.

Category: Hardware | 6 Comments
Tags: memory sony

Dual World Record for x86 Clock Speed and 3d Mark 05 Score

Submitted by: Beren @ 09:25 PM | Saturday, January 24, 2009 | (url: http://au.youtube...)

During CES there were two teams (one from AMD, one from Finland) using Helium basud cooling to set OC records. Using a Phenom 2 the highest clock speed for a x86 chip was set, along with the record score for 3d mark 05.

Category: Hardware | 2 Comments
Tags: overclocking

Cooler Master Sniper Case Review

Submitted by: Hurricane Harold @ 07:33 PM | Thursday, January 22, 2009 | (url: http://www.bit-te...)

Were you looking for a PC case to fit in with your collection of FPS-style crates and exploding barrels? Well, look no further than the eXtremely well-named Cooler Master Sniper. Just make sure you don't let any space marines see your new possession, or they might try shooting it to get at the stim packs and ammo contained within.


Intel X25-M 80GB SSD Review

Submitted by: Hurricane Harold @ 09:08 PM | Tuesday, January 20, 2009 | (url: http://www.pcper....)

Intels new X25-M 80GB SSD is one of the fastest consumer solid state drives available - a technology that's commonly cited as being the future of storage technology. But at $600, this puppy isn't cheap. Is the technology actually worth it yet?

Alternate reviews at PaulStamatiou.com, Tweaktown, and Tbreak