I know we can all postulate that a new CPU on a 1066Mhz bus m/b may simply run slower, since as we all know increasing the FSB is the way that the CPU is usually overclocked.

However - if we install slower RAM on a 1033 m/b the bus slows to 1066 or 800, but the CPU speed remains constant.

The big question is, what will happen if I drop a 6550 on my 975X m/b whose bus cannot exceed 1066?

Any educated or first hand experience guesses?

There's three things to consider (if not more):

1. Will the mobo recognize the Penryn CPU? It may or may not. If it does, it might mis-identify the Penryn as a Conroe with a lower multiplier.

2. Will the manufacturer release a BIOS upgrade even though the mobo does not officially support Penryn?

3. VRM - Voltage Regulator Module - Without the correct VRM to provide lower voltages, the Penryn may not work at all.


As a ray of hope, I do recall an article about preliminary Penryns being tested on unmodified mobos with the 975X chipset. But that was many months ago.