speaking from personal experience, the Formula-z applies a little more voltage than almost all other boards why? about 90% sure it has to do with the power phases. to get similar power delivery to your 970 i'd suggest going into the voltage setting it to offset mode and pressing "-" 1 or 2 times (i forget the exact incriment it's like .0625 or something) alternatively, if you are overclocking use the offset mode as apposed to auto or any of the other modes. offset mode delivers more consistent lower voltage at the same settings with about the same overclock stability. this of course is all asuming you applied thermal paste properly.