I probably wont be using a Sandy Bridge cpu in my next PC

BigEejit

http://www.techspot.com/news/41643-intels-sandy-bridge-processors-have-a-remote-kill-switch.html

Intel's new Sandy Bridge processors have a new feature that the chip giant is calling Anti-Theft 3.0. The processor can be disabled even if the computer has no Internet connection or isn't even turned on, over a 3G network. With Intel anti-theft technology built into Sandy Bridge, David Allen, director of distribution sales at Intel North America, told ITBusiness that users have the option to set up their processor so that if their computer is lost or stolen, it can be shut down remotely.
For those who want to protect their computers from thieves, the ability to remotely disable them sounds great. We're not sure the CPU is the component that should be targeted though. While a given stolen netbook, laptop, or desktop can no longer be turned on if Intel's new kill switch is flipped, there's nothing stopping the thief from taking out the HDD and putting it in another computer. As a result, you've only slightly slowed the criminal down and haven't really managed to ensure your sensitive data is protected.

Furthermore, those wearing tin foil hats will want to know if users have complete control over the feature. Is it enabled by default? If not, could someone else turn it on? Can anyone but the owner of the processor disable it remotely? Those might seem like paranoid questions, but nonetheless Intel needs to guarantee that the answer to all three is a resounding no.

I know some people are going to say that my tinfoil hat is fitting my head very well, but FFS this kind of thing helps no-one, and can only end badly (if some hacker manages to find the kill switch).
I am pretty sure that there will be some backtracking by Intel saying that there is nothing to worry about, they will make sure that only Intel and 50 odd United States agencies can use it, but going by this article I will be going AMD for my next PC. Yes I know it is supposed to be controlled by bios settings, but then you have to trust the bios manufacturers like American Megatrends, Award (owned by Phoenix - California).
Hopefully those Zambezi Bulldozer AM3+ chips will come in a reasonably priced 8-core package.

game4it70

If that turns out to be true (i really doubt it) whoever gave the go ahead for it needs to be taken away by the men in white coats. :rolleyes:

Skerries

this is how the robots will start to take over the planet first