Intel to give its processors NX Bit security technology support

Intel is planning to built the Execute Disable Bit (NX Bit) security technology into its processor lineup from the end of the third quarter, according to Taiwanese sources at motherboard vendors. This plan shouldn't cause an increase in cost or require any redesign work on motherboards. Only a BIOS upgrade will be needed to enable NX Bit support.

All Prescott-based Pentium 4's and Celeron D processors for the desktop market, Petium M's and Celeron M's for notebooks and the whole Xeon line for servers and workstations will feature this new technology. But initially only LGA775-pin processor with E-0 stepping will receive support for NX Bit. Intel will add the letter "J" behind processors using the NX Bit technology.

The sources noted that the Desktop Pentium 4, Celeron D and Nocona-based Xeon processors with the additional security will be available in the third quarter of this year, while Pentium M and Celeron M chips with NX Bit-support are expected in the first quarter of 2005.

Some more info regarding prices of Intel CPUs can be found at DigiTimes