Software MMX?
Sadly, this one is too good to be true. MMX instructions are built into MMX processors, so even if a program can emulate the instructions, there will be no performance benefit ù more likely the reverse, because of the processing overhead involved. Will it harm your system? Probably not, but the safest option is to leave well alone. Technical issues aside, the host site doesn't inspire much faith. It's called "Nitro Optimization" and displays the following disclaimer on its opening page: "If your computer blows up because of one of the files you downloaded off this web site caused it, you cannot blame it on me, the author of this Web site." If curiosity compels you, you will find the grisly details at www.spacestar.net/users/aei/welcome.html. û Neville Clarkson
A PC World reader has alerted us to a utility he unearthed in the darkest recesses of the Web which claims to be able to "upgrade your original Pentium [processor] to a Pentium MMX." The same reader wondered whether this program genuinely possessed this magical power and whether there might be risks attached to running such a program.
Category: hardware
Issue: May 1998