Both gaming benchmarks have particularly shown the importance of the FSB. It's still as present and mighty as three years ago, when we were running 66 MHz systems at 75 or 83 MHz. Even today it's something like an unwritten law: Using a higher FSB will rise performance about one performance step.

Using 140 instead of 133 or 112 instead of 100 MHz will give you more performance with little risk. 150 MHz can be achieved quite safe - provided that you are using quality components (especially motherboard and RAM).

You will have to spend some days on testing the new speed setting - in fact, the longer the better. If only one component fails (e.g. if writing CDs is not possible at your common speed), step back one FSB step.

Who Really Benefits From 150 MHz FSB?

Basically everybody, but gamers and users of high end software will benefit more. Overclocking always means a kind of adventure. Running hardware at 150 MHz is interesting for most users who do not necessarily need their computer, but want more performance - overclockers, gamers and performance freaks. All others should be very careful, particularly those who require a working computer.

What About 160 MHz Or More?

The faster the bus speed, the higher the risk for your components. For these tests I used an Asus V6600 AGP. I originally wanted to do some benchmarks at 160 MHz as well, but the card did not want to work at 80 MHz AGP clock. The ATI Fury MAXX seemed to run fine, but after some minutes the system crashed. I'm still not sure what caused these crashes, if it was the graphic card or the motherboard.

I think this shows the limit of present computer technology. That's also why the next memory generation will be able to transfer q2asdouble the amount of data - not by doubling the clock speed but by making use of both edges of a signal.

Follow-up by reading the article 'The 150 MHz Project, Part 2 '.