my 2.26 bo stepping can go to 3.0 ghz stable for everyday use. fsb @ 176 with xms 3500 using the 4:5 ratio with 1.75 vcore and 2.8 vdimm I can bench 3dmark 2001 @ 180 fsb but my memory can not go much higher, I dont have the option of more vdimm, you might, most it7max boards have higher vdimm than me for some reason. highest I booted but not stable was 183 fsb with mem ratio @ 1:1 and vcore @ 1.85. temps to high so I didnt stay at that very long