An interconnect controller for a data processing platform (100/200) comprising: a data link layer controller adapted to be coupled to a transaction layer , wherein said data link layer controller selectively receives data packets from and sends data packets to said transaction layer ; and a physical layer controller coupled to said data link layer controller and adapted to be coupled to a communication link , said physical layer controller selectively operating at a first predetermined link speed, wherein the physical layer controller has an enhanced speed mode, wherein in response to performing a link initialization, the interconnect controller : queries the data processing platform (100/200) to determine whether said enhanced speed mode is permitted; if the enhanced speed mode is permitted, the interconnect controller : performs at least one setup operation to select an enhanced speed, wherein said enhanced speed is greater than said first predetermined link speed; and subsequently operates the communication link using said enhanced speed, wherein said physical layer controller supports a plurality of selectable link speeds between said first predetermined link speed specified by a published standard and a second predetermined link speed, and said enhanced speed is a selected one of said plurality of selectable link speeds that are not specified by published standards, wherein successive ones of said plurality of selectable link speeds are separated from each other by the same predetermined link speed increment. a data link layer controller adapted to be coupled to a transaction layer , wherein said data link layer controller selectively receives data packets from and sends data packets to said transaction layer ; and a physical layer controller coupled to said data link layer controller and adapted to be coupled to a communication link , said physical layer controller selectively operating at a first predetermined link speed, wherein the physical layer controller has an enhanced speed mode, wherein in response to performing a link initialization, the interconnect controller : queries the data processing platform (100/200) to determine whether said enhanced speed mode is permitted; if the enhanced speed mode is permitted, the interconnect controller : performs at least one setup operation to select an enhanced speed, wherein said enhanced speed is greater than said first predetermined link speed; and subsequently operates the communication link using said enhanced speed, queries the data processing platform (100/200) to determine whether said enhanced speed mode is permitted; if the enhanced speed mode is permitted, the interconnect controller : performs at least one setup operation to select an enhanced speed, wherein said enhanced speed is greater than said first predetermined link speed; and subsequently operates the communication link using said enhanced speed, performs at least one setup operation to select an enhanced speed, wherein said enhanced speed is greater than said first predetermined link speed; and subsequently operates the communication link using said enhanced speed, wherein said physical layer controller supports a plurality of selectable link speeds between said first predetermined link speed specified by a published standard and a second predetermined link speed, and said enhanced speed is a selected one of said plurality of selectable link speeds that are not specified by published standards, wherein successive ones of said plurality of selectable link speeds are separated from each other by the same predetermined link speed increment. <EOS>