Conclusion
Buffer-overflow protection has completed its migration from the server arena to the desktop. However, it's up to you to purchase the right combination of processor, motherboard and operating system to make the promise of buffer-overflow protection a reality.
For Further Research:
Keep track of the latest Pentium 4 and Celeron D models to feature buffer overflow protection:
The Intel Pentium 4 Processor Product Information page at http://developer.intel.com/products/processor/pentium4/index.htm
The official Intel Processor Number Details page at http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number/info.htm
The Intel White Paper "Execute Disable Bit Functionality Blocks Malware Code Execution" is available as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat/Adobe Reader) file at http://cache-http://www.intel.com/cd/00/00/14/93/149307_149307.pdf Read the introduction and find a link to the article at http://www.intel.com/cd/ids/developer/asmo-na/eng/149308.htm