The Quantum Wave audio card comes with 7.1 channel audio output (analog) but also coaxial and optical TOSLINKs are present. A very nicely added bonus alright. Despite looks of a dedicated soundcard, it's merely an application layer addon -- main sound is still handled by the motherboard's integrated Realtek ALC889 -- yet enhanced by Creative and THX with a software layer.

Also you will spot an OC Dashboard device that enables users to do some quick, on-the-fly overclocking but also functions as a Debug PORT during boot up. You guys know the POST LEDs with error codes right? Well, during the POST and boot sequence this device will display the status codes.

Within windows however, the device allows for real-time statistics and also overclocking. You can tweak voltages on all primary parts and increase the base clock. We'll demonstrate this with the help of a video later on. It's a bit of a gadget, granted -- but a very nice one.

So here we have the motherboard itself, it's an impressive and daunting looking motherboard alright. Pricing for this really high-end motherboard will be high-end as well, expect ~389 USD. Some of the more notable features are:

• 4x DDR3-2133OC
• 2x GB LAN
• 3x PCI-E16
• 8x SATA
• 2x eSATA / USB combo ports
• 8xUSB
• S/PDIF
• DrMOS
• OC Genie
• V-Kit
• APS
• SuperPipe Cooling
• NF200 bridge chip
• OC Dashboard
• Quantum Wave Sound Card

From left to right that's a PS2 keyboard and mouse connector. Then I count a total of eight USB 2.0 ports, 1x Firewire, 2x eSATA / USB combo ports, 2x Gigabit Ethernet. The weird looking connector is a port for the OC Dashboard external controller (D-LED2 panel connector).