Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/1999/02/11/genuine_pentium_iii_systems/

Genuine Pentium III systems for sale in UK

Machines running both Linux and NT

By Mike Magee

Posted in On-Prem, 11th February 1999 12:00 GMT

A UK company told The Register today it was already selling systems based on the Pentium III processor and the chips are the genuine article. Digital Networks UK is selling 500MHz systems and 450MHz systems, and has verified details of their authenticity with Intel. According to a representative at Digital Networks, the ID strings for the Pentium IIIs show model number 7 and CPU ID 3. The Pentium II is model number 5 and CPU ID 2. The flags on the Pentium III are fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 mmx osfxsr 18 25. These last two flags refer to the Streaming SIMD (KNI) instructions. He said that when he called Intel and asked them about the BIOS display, the chip giant demanded to know where the Pentium IIIs were bought. "I will need to give your details to my superior," said an Intel technical support rep. "No, I won't do that," the Digital Networks representative said. "It's standard practice here at Intel. One of my superiors will call you back," said Intel. The Digital Networks representative said: "You wouldn't help me last month with a consignment of re-marked Pentium II processors we received." We will write a separate story about the re-marks later today. ®