Afterword
Early in August there was news that FTC and Intel came to an agreement. FTC won't penalize Intel, even having proof of "incorrect" PCMark 2005 results. And Intel promises (yet again) to do the following.
Inform software developers that its compilers distinguish Intel and non-Intel CPUs and do not always provide the optimal code for the latter. Compensate extra costs to any software developer that would like to recompile its software with a non-Intel compiler (given that Intel libraries which don't have to be changed, according to the agreement, can still be used with non-Intel compilers).
Won't resort to bribery, threats and other stimuli to force PC makers not to buy competing processors.
Will support the PCI Express bus for at least 6 years, chipsets and processors with built-in graphics included, so it's possible to connect GPUs from other manufacturers.
Change license conditions so as to provide more freedom for cooperation and joint technological development to competitors.
Prolong the license agreement on the release of x86-processors with VIA Technologies for another 5 years, until 2018.
Summary:
A certain IT expert has a speculation that Intel is making compilers exclusive to run best on their processors only. iXBT Labs tested a Via processor and changed its hardware ID to make it look like an intel processor. They came up with result up to 15% gain on the renamed via processor than the original via processor.
Original Via processor
Renamed Via processor made to look like an intel processor via hardware ID
An interesting article indeed, though I'm not picking up a fight, just wanted to share the article (period).
Read more here:
iXBT Labs - VIA Nano CPUID Tricks - Page 1: Introduction