"what's your opinion on the relative performance in 32-bit mode of the 256K castrated K8 to an equivalent 256K 64-bit K8."
Beats me. I realize the rating for the HPaq whatever-it-is seems high, but I can't explain it. I doubt if they removed 64 bit capability, that would be a huge task for dubious benefit. To realize any IPC increase would mean pretty much a complete re-design which just doesn't make sense for that product.
Which pretty much leaves us with the "Celeron rating" theory. If true, AMD or HPaq should at least be upfront about it.