Introduction

Is it TUF enough  ? ... (The Ultimate Force)

One of the most talked about topics of technology this year will be Sandy Bridge from Intel and very likely Bulldozer processors from AMD. Intel however started the year fresh, and launched a handful of these little Sandy bridge gems already. If you have not done so, please read our Core i5 2500K and Core i7 2600K review to get an update on the new processor architecture and the grand performance they deliver.

Of course with new processors also come new motherboard chipsets. For the consumer desktop side of the market you will basically see two Sandy Bridge based chipsets, H68 for the more generic, mainstream and HTPC usage, and then the P67 chipset as a performance part for the new motherboards series. Now each and every motherboard ODM jumped on P67 as well, it's just a heck of a lot of fun. And the ODMs had time to prep their P67 alright, most of the designs were already finished by late Summer 2010, everybody just needed to wait for Intel to release the processor that goes along with these motherboards.

That extra time was however not a bad thing, it gave more time to R&D departments to refine their designs and perhaps be a little more creative.

Today's tested product is by all means that, creative. A P67 motherboard from ASUS which comes with that new uEFI BIOS which has been discussed so much. It's the TUF Sabertooth P67 from ASUS, designed with a plastic shroud based on aerodynamics. The shield is part of what is called 'Thermal Armor' and it will be the primary trademark for this motherboard from here onwards, as whatever you might think of it, it's the signature of the motherboard.

Have a peek, and sure we know it, you either love or hate the design ... but give it a chance as the motherboard is just loaded with interesting options.