Table of contents
Network connectivity is provided by one Realtek RTL8111B via PCIe. Firewire is missing on this board, but there is an other board model called 966PDAGE which includes firewire support. Nowadays firewire looses importance over USB 2.0, so we can live without it easily. The audio codec is a standard Realtek ALC888 which is sufficient for common user. Gamers will install an extra soundcard anyways. Multi I/O and VRM controll is provided by the Fintec chip, also common used by MSI.
The case connectors are not colour coded, but described on the board itself.
The configuration of the slots is not perfect, because a 3rd PCI slot would be the nice idea, because PCIe x1 cards are still not common today.
The chipsets are covered by simple aluminium heatsinks, but they did not get hot.