The ASUS X99 DELUXE does really well as a high-end board. Not only does it have the great looks many users have asked for, it also has a host of features that are second-to-none, including the mystical OC Socket with its extra pins. Those additional 48 pins make this a 2059-pin board where other boards merely come with 2011 pins. Do those pins make a difference? With several weeks of testing under my belt, let me tell you, it definitely does.

From top to bottom, the ASUS X99 DELUXE truly impresses, but there are a few things I found disappointing, so it isn't entirely perfect, either, although it does come close. I think its PCIe slot arrangement could have been better, though I must say that there's plenty of clearance for DIMM swaps, which matters quite a bit to me. Installing three VGAs while using the provided add-in HYPER M.2 card doesn't seem like the best idea, but I can see how the add-on card is a great thing to have in the box for a home server. It is definitely not a necessary addition for those ready to invest in such a platform, considering its natively high cost. With its price figured in, though, it still does offer substantial value for your dollar.

ASUS's OC socket not only aspires to greatness, it actually works. Here is some real, innovative hardware that sets ASUS's X99 products far and apart from the rest. The ASUS X99 DELUXE is built for a long-term hardcore overclock, no matter whether you are a gamer, an IT guy, or just a power user who always wants things to be at their best, while looking good. This product truly deserves the DELUXE moniker since it delivers for everyone in every which way unless you want to run four dual-slot VGAs. Pair this board up with a 5820K or 5930K and some decent DDR4 and you've got a killer rig ready for your tri-monitor gaming experience. Games sold separately.