Software spots overclocked CPUs

Intel has released a new program that can test the clock speed of the processor installed in a PC, or - in the case of Pentium III chips - whether the CPU is overclocked.

The program, available for download at the company's website at www.intel.com , is designed to protect against remarketers who change the timing capacitors to overclock the chip, then mark the package as though the processor was supposed to operate at the higher frequency - a practice that can shorten the life of the chip.

An Intel spokesman said the program will allow legitimate resellers to identify overclocked chips, and is not intended to prevent end users from overclocking chips on their own PCs.

More details are available at www.techweb.com.