Based on an incremental path search algorithm, this paper addresses the problem of performance driven path classification by sizing selected gates on the shortest and the longest identified paths of the circuit. Delay and power/area constraints are managed using circuit path sizing alternatives defined through a realistic evaluation of gate power and delay. Implemented in the POPS tool (Performance Optimization by Path Selection), the accuracy of this technique is compared to evaluation obtained from industrial tools on examples of path enumeration and optimization evaluated on several ISCAS'85 benchmarks.