I can only hope that the "prereleased" Thoroughbred chips that are in the 1800+ range (multiplier of 11.5, when run at 133 FSB) are actually going to be released to the market to run at FSB 166 (which translated into a 2200+ speed, ie, 11.5 multiplier at 166=1.9GHz true=2200+ AMD speak). The new chips should overclock to that level at default based on the lower temperature and voltage. That is about the only "surprise" that I think AMD could pull out of its bag of tricks to propel it bag in to contention. And that would only require a BIOS upgrade for all the current boards to handle the proper chip voltage.
I am not a betting person; but, if I were, this is where I would put my money. Thus the first Thoroughbred chip that is released would have a core architecture identical to that of current Athlon XPs, but run at 166 FSB (memory clock stays at the same FSB as now to avoid memory purchases). The upgrader would get a 25% boost in processor speed with the new chip just because of the FSB change. Temps are no problem. The name becomes "Athlon XP+"....sounds just like the Intel strategy of bringing out "E" chips, "EB" chips in the Pentium III line and Northwood a (FSB=100) and then following with Northwood b (FSB=133) in the Pentium 4 line. AMD takes a page out of Intel's book and stays competitive until the Claw is perfected.
There are no original ideas only better application of those ideas.
My crystal ball is clouding up now; I will have to return to the land of the living.