Uhh, Intel wants to exceed AMD ;-) Matching memory and processor clock speeds makes it easier for chip set core logic to transfer data at high speeds, although it isn't essential. DDR chipsets -- either from third party Taiwan vendors or Intel's own upcoming 845 DDR version -- can adjust core logic to interface PC266 memory chips with the current 400-MHz Pentium 4 FSB. Read the complete article @ EBnews here.