The devil's in the detail with the model code for the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3P Rev 3.3 motherboard. The 965P part is simple enough as this model uses an Intel P965 chipset, but then it starts to get a touch complicated. Originally there was a DS3 model with a single PCI Express x16 graphics slot, however the DS3P has a second slot that allows you to run dual ATi graphics cards in CrossFire.

It's not a perfect solution as the P965 only supports 20 lanes of PCI Express, and none too intelligently at that. The primary graphics slot has 16 lanes while the second slot only has four lanes. That takes up all 20 lanes, so if you install a second graphics card the three PCI-E x3 slots are automatically disabled. This is less elegant than the high-end 975X chipset, which is being replaced by P35 and which allocates 16 PCI-E lanes to a single graphics card or divides it evenly if you run CrossFire.

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The other significant part of the Gigabyte model name is the 'Rev 3.3', as Gigabyte claims that it has managed to add support for the next generation of Core processors with the addition of a 1,333MHz Front Side Bus. It's always rash to say that a new feature makes a motherboard future-proof, however this seems to be a step in the right direction. Unfortunately we are unable to test the claim as the new processors won't be available for some time to come.

One set of features stands out quite clearly as there is an unusual amount of space around the CPU socket. This is thanks to Gigabyte's Ultra Durable 2 technology, which updates the power regulation components that are located near the processor. The changes to the MOSFETs (the black rectangular objects that switch the flow of current), Chokes (black cubes that store and regulate current) and capacitors (cylinders that store and release current) reduce the operating temperature of the motherboard, increase the life of the components and free up plenty of room for your CPU cooler.

This emphasis on reliability and cool running is very welcome but it came as quite a surprise during our testing to find that the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3P Rev 3.3 was very reluctant to overclock compared to other Gigabyte P965 models that we've seen in recent times.

The list of features is extensive without getting ridiculous, although there is some room for improvement. The ICH8R Southbridge supports six SATA2 connectors with RAID, and Gigabyte has been obliged to add its own SATA2 controller to provide an IDE connector since Intel doesn't offer support for this vital feature. Gigabyte has used the controller to support an IDE connector plus two more SATA2 connectors, also with RAID, to bring the total to eight.

There's little harm in this, as the connectors are very small, but it must add cost and honestly, who is going to use anything like eight SATA connectors? On the I/O panel you'll find a full complement of connectors for the HD audio chip, as well as a Firewire connector and a Gigabit Ethernet port, however you only get four USB 2.0 ports. This is a bit of a shame as Gigabyte has seen fit to include legacy Serial and Parallel ports, which we'd be perfectly happy to ditch in favour of four more USB ports.

This tidy LGA775 motherboard is better suited to the office worker who wants reliable and quiet operation than the gamer who wants maximum performance. It's fairly priced and offers a decent list of features, but honestly, the most interesting talking points are those new electrical components, and that is a dull but worthy line of development.