What sets the ROG Strix X99 Gaming apart from other motherboards is the broad swath of features that you get with the board. As a gaming-centric board, the whole of the feature set is geared toward the gaming experience. Starting with the hardware level build out on the board, you have ESD Guards to prevent inbound current spikes from damaging the board. Gamer's Guardian is a set of hardware level protections, including ASUS SafeSlot, ASUS' excellent Digi+ VRM, Q-Code diagnostic display, Supreme FX Sound, Q-Dimm slots with DRAM overvoltage protection, and the RGB LED lit PCIe Q-Slots. RGB lighting is all the rage now and ASUS is ready to support this feature set with AURA controlled RGB LED headers on board. Using AURA, you have the ability to manage attached RGB accessories.