The CPU itself is a logical step for AMD: the Venice core proved to be a really good product in terms of yields and clocking capabilities, so seeing AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 running at a cool 2.81GHz wasn't such a suprise. The only thing that still bothers me was the fact that the CPU-Z read FSB clock at 247 MHz on a reference ATi Xpress 200 motherboard, but that's an obvious misread - I used v1.28, since the BIOS was showing 200 MHz HT link speed with x5 ratio.

The Inquirer