Testing:

Before the P35, G35, and P31 chipsets arrived, Intel's 975X chipset had been holding the best performance even by today's standards. The 975X was quite capable when it came to standard use. As the P35 drivers improve, we've started to see better and better CPU performance and memory bandwidth. Both P35 based motherboards do a standard, all around good job of stock performance. Aside from the fact that the 975X had a rocky Crossfire start, it still continues to be a good strong graphics platform. The P35 is a more mature chipset gaining a few benefits thanks to the new design and lessons learned from the previous platforms.

During 3D tests, the Formula and Extreme completely reliable in terms of stability. 3D performance gains haven't yielded eye-popping noticeable results as of late, but both offered good results none the less. Due to the P35 chipset, both systems scored closely at stock frequencies. It's a bit difficult assigning any awards to any particular component given the improved graphics drivers.
 

To offer up a little real life perspective, the 8800 GTS coupled with either motherboard afforded very playable frame rates. This won't quite be the case with something similar to a 7900 GT, which couldn't keep up in the same settings when tested in STALKER, Bioshock, or the Crysis demo unless it was with Lower to Medium settings to kept it manageable. This still doesn't keep it quite as fluid as the 8800 GTS. The only game to offer up some resistance in preliminary testing is Crysis. This isn't a big surprise given the enormous, intricacies that the game presents current systems.

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