CPU News & Reviews (Around the Web)

Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
edited August 2003 in Hardware
CPU Reviews

AMD

XP 2400+ (Tbred 256K FSB266)

XP 2500+ (Barton 512K FSB333)

XP 2600+ (Tbred 256K FSB333)
    *
Tech-report (08-21-02)


MP 2600+ (Tbred 256K FSB266)
    *
Short-Media.com MP 2600+ Preview (2003-02-04)


XP 2700+

XP 2800+ (Tbred 256K FSB333)
    *
Lostcircuits.com (10-01-02)
*Tech-Report.com (10-01-02)


XP 3000+ (Barton 512K FSB333)
    *
Tech-Report.com (02-10-03)
*Lostcircuits.com (02-10-03)


XP3200+ (Barton 512K FSB400
    *
Aces Hardware AXP 3200+ (2.2ghz) vs P4 3.0C (800) (05-20-03)
*Lost Circuits - 3200+ Preview (03-03-03)
*Lost Circuits - 3200 Review (03-13-03)
*Short-Media.com (2003-05-13)
*Tech-report.com (05-13-03)
*Aces Hardware AXP 3200+ (2.2ghz) vs P4 3.0C (800) (05-20-03)
*Guru3d (06-10-03)



Intel

2.40ghz (533)

2.40ghz (800)
    *
Tech-report.com (05-21-03)


2.53ghz (533)

2.60ghz (800)
    *
Tech-report.com (05-21-03)


2.80ghz (533)
    *
Tech-report.com (08-26-02)


2.80ghz (800)
    *
Tech-report.com (05-21-03)


3.00ghz (800)
    *
Tech-report.com (04-14-03)


3.06ghz (533)
    *
Tech-report.com (11-14-03)
*LostCircuits.com (11-18-02)


3200ghz (800)
    *
Tech-Report (2003-06-23)
*Hexus (2003-06-23)
*Hardware Extreme 3200ghz Preview 2003-(06-23)
*THG: P4 3.20ghz vs AMD 3200+ (2003-06-23)
*Gamers Depot (2003-06-23)
*XbitLabs (2003-06-23)
*VR-Zone (2003-06-23)

Comments

  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited June 2003
    News: Athlon FSB400 3000+ Appears

    According to Akiba PC Hotline the AMD Athlon FSB400 3000+ (2.10ghz) has appeared in Japan.

    The original Athlon FSB333 3000+ runs at 2.167ghz. IMO the FSB333 version will outperform the FSB400 version in most tests.
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited June 2003
    AcesHardware: Palomino (1.6ghz / 1900+) on a 400 MHz FSB (2003-06-16)

    Athlon 1.60 GHz FSB400 - UT 2003 (1280x1024): 69.6
    Athlon 1.60 GHz FSB266 - UT 2003 (1280x1024): 63.9
    Athlon 1.66 GHz FSB266 - UT 2003 (1280x1024): 62.8

    (Grand Prix 4 @ 1024x768)
    Athlon 1.60 GHz FSB400 - 33
    Athlon 1.60 GHz FSB266 - 29
    Athlon 1.66 GHz FSB266 - 30

    (Jedi Knight @ 800x600)
    Athlon 1.60 GHz FSB400 - 116.5
    Athlon 1.60 GHz FSB266 - 105.6
    Athlon 1.66 GHz FSB266 - 107.5


    The Athlon 1.6 GHz 400 MHz FSB with DDR400 Cas 2.5 performs rather impressive, as this CPU is faster than a Athlon 1.8 GHz (2200+). But that is not so surprising after all, as most games benefit a lot from a faster memory subsystem.

    The weird thing was that this old "AGOGA" Athlon XP 2000+", 1.66 GHz at stock speed, is able to reach 1750 MHz (12.5 x 140) without forced cooling. Once I push it to a 400 MHz FSB it already needs 1.8V (instead of 1.75V) and forced aircooling to run at 1650 MHz (or 8.5 x 200).

    ========================================

    The Inquirer: Microsoft warns Pentium 4, Windows XP can slow down your PC (2003-06-17)

    MICROSOFT HAS WARNED PEOPLE using its top of the range Eye Candy software Windows XP that if they're using a Pentium 4 processor and have installed Windows XP Service Pack 1 they might experience some, er, degradation of function.

    Presumably this Newspeak phrase means a PC will slow right down.

    A program, says Microsoft, that uses large mapped file views to share information between two processes "may experience a significant performance decrease".

    You can find the warning here.

    ========================================

    The Inquirer: HP to take AMD64 route (2003-06-18)


    Although HP wasn't present to endorse AMD's processor at that launch, the word on the street was that Carly's firm is interested, and now a PDF on its own web site confirms that breakthrough.

    According to the PDF, the Model t182k will use an Athlon 64 3100+, also described as a 1.8GHz/1MB cache chip, using the Via 8KT400M chipset. It will support 1GB of DDR memory, and have an 80GB hard drive.

    The full specifications can be found here.


    The Athlon 64, previously known as the Clawhammer, is not, of course, released until September this year. Probably late September.


    Both AMD Zone and Ace's Hardware pointed us in this direction.

    ========================================

    E04 Hardware: Overclocking the Barton 2500+ (2003-06-18)

    2305 mhz (MBM5:1.62v)
    2355 mhz (235x10), (MBM5:1.63v)

    How about this?
    2536 mhz, (MBM5: 1.725v)

    ========================================


    Digitimes: AMD likely to move Athlon 64 shipments up to August (2003-06-19)

    Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is said to plan to start small-scale shipments of its long-awaited K8-core Athlon 64 processors in August, earlier than its September schedule, sources revealed.

    According to AMD, it has not changed the launch schedule. However, sources at first-tier motherboard companies such as Asustek Computer and Gigabyte Technology confirmed that AMD disclosed that it will begin supplying two desktop-use Athlon 64 processors, the 3100+ and 3400+, in August. However, given that shipments will reach only a projected 200,000-300,000 units by year-end, board makers expect little impact on Pentium 4-platform products in the short run.

    After several delays, the news suggests that AMD’s new-generation processors are finally on track for release. To many chipset designers that already have supporting products ready, the information is encouraging, although it also means the beginning of a new round of battle.

    Gearing up for the new processors, VIA Technologies recently renamed its K8T400M, K8M400 and K8 PCIE chipsets as the K8T800, K8M800 and K8T890, respectively, while Nvidia said that it is planning to introduce three chipsets – the Crush K8, Crush K8S and Crush K8 Pro – for the K8 platform.

    ========================================

    saw this link on AMDZone

    ASUS nForce3 Pro 150 on-board single Opteron mainboard (SK8N) (with pictures)

    ========================================

    The Inquirer: AMD's Opteron: Does it measure up?

    Is the mainstream IT media in Intel's pocket?

    By Mario Rodrigues: Thursday 19 June 2003, 12:17

    WITH ALL OF the delays, Hammer (AMD64) has been a long time coming. Since its formal announcement some four years ago, Hammer has generated a truck load of hype, but has the wait been worth it? If allegations of Intel strong- arming are true, then the chip giant takes Hammer to be a very serious threat indeed.

    When AMD launched Opteron, it was pretty much a server product launch, as there were no workstation boards available. Of course, this will soon change.

    Is the mainstream IT media in Intel's pocket?
    It has been almost two months since Opteron's launch, and what's really surprised me has been the poor response from the mainstream IT media, especially when one sees how Opteron performs in independent benchmarks. Hardware web sites have justly reported on Opteron's outstanding performance, but this news event hasn't transferred to the IT mainstream as headline grabbing reports. Don't get me wrong, there has been reporting on Opteron's performance, but nothing that really nails the sail to the mast. It's worse than the dumbing down that Tyan meted out to its own Opteron motherboard. It smells of leveraged censorship.


    Omega65: A long editorial - go read it!

    ========================================

    AcesHardware: Dual channel for Athlon 64 @ 90 nano ?!? (2003-06-21)
    At the same time, the Japanese site Akiba claims to have found new information. According to Akiba, the fastest Athlon 64 will reach 2.4 GHz early next year, and will be replaced by "San Diego", the Athlon 64 which is not only baked at a finer 90 nanometer, but which will also get a dual channel memory controller. Other bits in the Japanese article:
      * The Athlon 64 will be launched in September at 2 GHz (3400+) and 1.8 GHz (3100+). * These models should be followed later this year by a 3700+ model running at 2.2 GHz, and next year a 4000+ model which will run at 2.4 GHz * The 130 nanometer Athlon's 64 are all single Channel DDR, but support DDR400 * The 90 nanometer Athlon's 64 with 1 Mb L2-cache will get Dual Channel DDR * There will be also a 256 KB L2-cache version codenamed "Paris" (130 nanometer) and "Victoria" (90 nanometer). Both CPUs have access to single Channel DDR.

    A new C-stepping seems to have enabled AMD to get the Athlon 64 past the 2.0 GHz mark. It is important to take the rating information with a grain of salt, because the HP system was scheduled to be launched in April, before the launch of Intel's 800 MHz FSB chipsets and CPUs.

    If true, I must say I am slightly sceptical of the 3100+ rating as we have seen that a 1.8 GHz Opteron is a lot faster in typical server tasks than a 3 GHz Pentium 4, but is a little slower than the Pentium 4 3 GHz 800 MHz FSB in Unreal Tournament 2003. It is possible of course that non-ECC DDR400 could make the Athlon 64 a bit faster in game benchmarks than the Opteron though... it is too soon to judge.

    Intel will counter the Athlon 64 3700+ at the end of this year with a 3.4 GHz and very likely also a 3.6 GHz Prescott Pentium 4 CPU which will have a 16 KB L1-cache and 1 MB L2-cache.

    Read more here...

    ========================================
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited June 2003
    CPU News & Reviews for the Week of June 23rd

    =============================================
    Intel unveals the Pentium 4 3200+ today

    Pentium 4 3200+ Reviews
      *
    Tech-Report (2003-06-23)
    *Hexus (2003-06-23)
    *Hardware Extreme 3200ghz Preview 2003-(06-23)
    *THG: P4 3.20ghz vs AMD 3200+ (2003-06-23)
    *Gamers Depot (2003-06-23)
    *XbitLabs (2003-06-23)
    *VR-Zone (2003-06-23)
    *The Tech Zone (2003-06-24)

    =============================================

    Pentium 4 Pricing Info from VR-Zone

    Pentium 4 3.20GHz (800MHz) $637

    Pentium 4 3.06GHz (800MHz) $401

    Pentium 4 3.00GHz (533MHz) $417

    Pentium 4 2.80GHz (800MHz) $278

    Pentium 4 2.80GHz (533MHz) $262

    Pentium 4 2.66GHz (533MHz) $193

    Pentium 4 2.60GHz (800MHz) $218

    Pentium 4 2.53GHz (533MHz) $193

    Pentium 4 2.40GHz (800MHz) $178
    Upcoming CPU info (VR-Zone article)
    The launch of Pentium 4 3.2Ghz is in direct competition with AMD Athlon XP 3200+ and that's we are going to compare against later in the article. However, the highlight of this year isn't going to be P4 3.2Ghz vs Athlon XP 3200+ or Northwood vs Barton. Instead, the exciting part will happen later this year when both Intel and AMD unveil their next generation processors.

    AMD will launch their Athlon 64 processors based on the K8 architecture in September with a PR rating of 3400+ clocked at 2Ghz. Athlon 64 "ClawHammer" is based on the 0.13 micron process built on SOI and equipped with 1MB of L2 cache.

    Prescott is scheduled to release end of this year with a starting clock speed of 3.4Ghz and is scalable to a high 5Ghz since it is presumed to possess longer pipelines. Prescott is known to contain 100M transistors with a 109mm2 die size and has 16KB of L1 cache and 1MB of L2 cache. It comes with 13 Prescott New Instructions (PNI) that will enhance Hyper-Threading further : 1 for video encoding and 2 for thread synchronization and the rest for complex arithmetic operations, floating-point-to-integer conversions and SIMD floating-point operations. Prescott is rumored to contain 64-bit extension codenamed YamHill Technology and also La Grande Technology but these features will be locked initially until there is a need for them. Prescott will be pin compatible with the current Socket 478 Pentium 4 processors initially and consumers will still be able to use the current boards based on 875P and 865 series. At second half of next year, Prescott will have a new packaging LGA (Land Grid Array) with 775 balls and will be paired up with Intel Grantsdale chipsets that supports Socket T, Dual Channel DDR2 400/533Mhz, PCI Express x16 and ICH6.


    =============================================

    XBitLabs: 90nm Celeron Processors to Come Next Year (2003-06-24)

    A year from now Intel will introduce new Celeron processors for desktop computers with new bus and enlarged L2 cache. The chips will be manufactured already using 90nm technology and will certainly derive from the highly-anticipated Prescott core. By that time higher-end Prescott processors will get their 1066MHz Quad Pumped Bus and Celeron’s 533MHz PSB will certainly not be very impressive. Historically, Intel Celeron processors for desktop PCs always had ½ or ¼ of L2 cache featured by mainstream Pentium CPUs, the next-generation Celerons will not be an exception and following latest Intel’s traditions, the Celeron chips will provide 256KB of L2 in contrast to huge 1MB L2 cache of the Prescott CPUs. At this point the semiconductor giant considers whether to implement the Hyper-Threading technology and other advantages of Prescott CPUs into the upcoming value microprocessors or not. It worth to say that AMD is also preparing Athlon 64 processors for mainstream and value market segments with 256KB of L2 cache.

    More Here...


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    AMDZone overclocks the Opteron 242 (1.6ghz)! (2003-06-26)
    For now we have a better idea of how Opteron is overclocked, and how well it can overclock. Further investigation must be done to determine what exactly is holding our 242 at 1.8GHz. To do this we need additional memory, heatsinks, CPUs, and motherboards to test with. We hope to get our hands on 244s or a 144 to see if 2GHz is a possibility, and we are also interested in seeing if the lowest cost 240 series is a good overclocker as it seems the most obvious choice for overclockers.

    For now almost reaching 1.8GHz stable in Windows is encouraging, but we are concerned about the AGP issue. Regardless we are relieved to see that indeed the Opteron can be overclocked, and we hope that boards add additional features like multiplier choices. Stay tuned for more information on Opteron overclocking as we continue our testing.

    read all about it here


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    <a href=http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10234>The Inquirer: <b>AMD Finally Confirms Thorton existence</b></a> (2003-06-28)

    THE THORTON MICROPROCESSOR has now entered into AMD's own lexicon with the cognomen Model 10, and that's confirmed by the firm's own web site.

    The cut-down Barton, with 256K level two cache, will replace Thoroughbred at PR ratings of 2000+, 2200+, and 2400+.

    =============================================

    <a href="http://www.tomshardware.com/game/200306281/millionman-04.html&quot; target=_blank>Desktop & Mobile Athlon 64 on Display at MML2</a>

    "The Uniwell N766AA0 notebook that we were able to see was configured as follows: AMD Athlon 64 featuring PowerNow! Technology, ATI M10-P - Mobility Radeon 9600 128MB, Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-bit Edition (Latest Build), 802.11B Wireless LAN, 3 - USB 2.0 ports, 1 - 1394 port, S-Video TV out, and a built-in Memory card, MMC/Sd/MS card reader"

    Athlon64 Motherboard
    attachment.php?s=&postid=11574

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  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited June 2003
    <a href=http://www.hardwaremania.com/reviews_eng/asussk8n/sk8n-1.shtml>HardwareMania</a&gt; Reviews the Asus SK8N (<b>Nforce3</b>) (2003-06-29) This Review Takes the Asus SK8N (NF3) & Opteron 240 (1.40ghz) and the Asus A7N8X (NF2) & Barton 1.40ghz and compares them clock for clock!
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited July 2003
    CPU News and Reviews the Week of June 30th

    =============================================

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10247&quot; target=_blank>The Inquirer</a> and <a href="http://www.amdzone.com/releaseview.cfm?ReleaseID=1108&quot; target=_blank>AMDZone</a>

    The 800 series, as its number suggests, is aimed at the eight way server market but will probably find its first applications if four way servers, as we reported over the weekend.

    The 100 series is intended for one way servers and workstations.

    Under AMD's number scheme, there will be 840, 842s, 844s, 140s, 142s and 144 chips available now.
    <i>(x40=1.40ghz, x42=1.60ghz, x44=1.8ghz)</i>

    Prices. The 840 costs $749, the 842 $1,299 and the 844 $2,149. The 140 is $229, the 142 $438 and the 144 $669.

    =============================================

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10271&quot; target=_blank>The Inquirer: 2GHz Opteron on the 6th of July?</a>

    A FRENCH LANGUAGE SITE claims that AMD may well release the 2GHz version of the Opteron as soon as the 6th of July.

    We think that would probably be a good idea, if the report is correct. It says the price will be in the region of €1850.

    <a href="http://www.pcinpact.com/actu/news/10050.htm&quot; target=_blank>French Site</a>


    =============================================

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10292&quot; target=_blank>The Inquirer: Delayed AMD64 compiler shows great promise</a>

    For its unreleased product, the Portland Group is making performance improvements claims averaging 34% over PGI Workstation 4.1 on several industry standard benchmarks. Now that is a huge hike in performance from just compiler optimizations. <b>The SPEC2000 floating point benchmark shows one Opteron result improving by almost 375%</b>.

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10292&quot; target=_blank>more here</a>

    =============================================

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10290&quot; target=_blank>The Inquirer: Is IBM building a fab for AMD?</a>

    A REPORT IN Semiconductor Business News follows up an earlier article it published about collaboration between IBM and AMD.

    According to the report, IBM is equipping one of its buildings in East Fishkill with a 300mm (12-inch) fab, and will give that fab to AMD for it to make future microprocessors.

    We reported on the 18th of May, in this article from the AMD Opteron launch, that AMD no longer really has a chip R&D facility. The CPU team is already in FIshkill.

    The report also suggests there is a wholesale move of AMD process engineers from their current offices in California to New York state, all with the aim of fashioning CPUs at 65 nanometers and using silicon on insulator technology.

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10290&quot; target=_blank>more here</a>

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    <a href="http://www.siliconstrategies.com/story/OEG20030703S0010&quot; target=_blank>Intel Grants ATO 800mhz FSB License</a> (2003-07-03)
    "ATI Technologies Inc. has agreed an extension to a patent cross-license agreement it has with Intel Corp. giving the right to build graphics processors that support Intel's Pentium4 800-MHz bus, the so-called 'front side bus' that operates at a clock frequency of 400-MHz but can transfer data twice per clock cycle, ATI said Thursday (July 3, 2003).

    Intel already supports this bus with a peripheral logic chipset of its own and this license would helps ATI compete against Intel."

    <a href="http://www.siliconstrategies.com/story/OEG20030703S0010&quot; target=_blank>More here</a>

    =============================================
    <a href=http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10303&quot; target=_blank>VR-Zone: Intel To Cut Xeon Prices On July 13th</a>

    "The 3.06A Xeon which uses the 533MHz system bus beloved of the Pentium 4s of yore, will launch on the 13th.
    It will cost $690 and will include 1MB of cache, according to our information. Its launch will push down the price of the 3.06GHz 533 Xeon to an affordable $455.

    Dealers will get a $24 rebate on boxed Xeons on this date. The 3.06GHz Xeon will drop by a third, with a $16 rebate. The 3GHz will drop by 35 per cent, with a rebate of $16 as well.

    The 2.8GHz Xeon, not to be compared with the "Gallatin" microprocessor of the same frequency speed will drop by nearly one third, along with the 400MHz Xeon clocking at a similar rate.

    The 2.66GHz Xeon with a 533MHz system bus will drop by 10 per cent, and Intel will drop the distributor/dealer rebate to $5.

    Mr 2.60GHz Xeon will drop off the road maps, but its price is likely to fall by 15%."

    <a href=http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10303&quot; target=_blank>more here</a>

    =============================================
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited July 2003
    CPU News and Reviews the Week of July 7th

    =============================================

    <b>AMD Thorton to be called Athlon FX</b> according to <a href="http://www.rojakpot.com/&quot; target=_blank>Adrian's Rojak Pot</a>

    <i>"Has anyone heard of the new AMD Athlon FX? No? That wouldn‘t be surprising since I have never heard of it until now! <b>Athlon FX</b> is apparently going to be AMD‘s official name for the new Athlon XP Thorton core!

    As you know, the Thorton core will be nothing more than a Barton core with half the L2 cache disabled. While the Barton is the successor of the Thoroughbred-B core, the Thorton looks set to be the new AMD Duron. However, since it‘s identical to the Barton (albeit with only half the L2 cache), it makes more sense for AMD to leverage the Thorton‘s similarity with the Athlon XP Barton core.

    Using the Athlon name would enable AMD to market the Thorton core as a mid-end value processor, rather than a low-end processor that the Duron was. This would naturally translate into better selling prices for the processors and greater profits for AMD.

    I‘ll try to confirm it with AMD and get more details so stay tuned! :) - No news from AMD yet... but I have confirmation from my source that the new processor will called the AMD Athlon FX!"</i>

    =============================================

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10388&quot; target=_blank>The Inquirer: Dothan Pentium M (Centrino)</a>

    CHIP FIRM Intel appears to be pressing forward its advantage on process technology, with the 90 nanometer version of the Pentium M chip likely to be available in late Q3 or early Q4.

    The Pentium M is used as part of the Centrino marketing package. The 90 nanometer Pentium M is currently codenamed Dothan, and when released will have 2MB of cache and uses a 400MHz system bus.

    Nevertheless, despite what seems to be Intel's success in moving to the 90 nanometer process, frequencies for its Pentium M family won't reach 2GHz until the second quarter of next year. A 2GHz Pentium M Centrino notebook is likely to cost over $3,000 when it's released.

    The first Dothan Pentium M will also have 2MB of cache, and will have a clock speed of 1.80GHz. But it appears Intel will at first limit the 90 nanometer versions to the highest performing chips. This is because Intel needs to move its entire manufacturing base from the current 130 nanometers (.13µ) to the newer 90 nanometer process, for notebook, for desktop and for server microprocessors.

    More info <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10388&quot; target=_blank>here</a>

    =============================================

    <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10382&quot; target=_blank><b>AMD confirms the Athlon 64 introduction date to be Sep 22, 2003 </b></a>

    =============================================
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited August 2003
    <a href="http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=opteron244&page=1&quot; target_blank>GamePC: Dual Opteron 244 Nforce3 Review</a>

    <i>"Just as the Opteron is starting to pick-up steam on its own, AMD is getting ready to launch the Athlon64 processor next month, which will take the spotlight off the Opteron as AMD’s premiere consumer-level processor. From all accounts, it is appearing more and more like the Opteron will still be the high-end processor of choice for workstation and high-end gamers looking for the best performance from the AMD64 architecture. With the recent introduction of nVidia's nForce3 Pro 150 chipset, which paired the Opteron processor with a fairly inexpensive motherboard platform with AGP 8x graphics support, we're seeing the Opteron processor bloom into truly something special. Despite the early nature of this processor, the performance is impressive, even under a 32-bit operating system environment.


    <b>Memory performance, on the other hand, is pretty incredible with the Opteron. As we've re-tested these CPU's with PC-2700 DDR memory with 4 modules (dual channel DDR for each CPU), the memory performance from the Opteron has gone from very good to absolutely top notch. Both the Xeon 3.06 GHz/1MB and the Opterons are tested with dual channel DDR-333 memory, but the Opteron's low-latency on-die memory controller allows for nearly a 30% boost in memory scores. Very impressive indeed!

    If you're going for an Opteron in a 2P, it's very much worth the extra money to purchase four modules instead of two, even though two will work fine. "</b></i>
    attachment.php?s=&postid=30770
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