Data acquisition applications frequently involve multiple types of analogue, digital and counter measurements and can consume hundreds of megabytes per second. Featuring NI-STC3 timing and synchronisation technology, X Series DAQ devices for PCI Express and PXI Express are the most advanced DAQ devices ever designed by National Instruments (NI). This presentation describes how new enhancements in counters, advanced timing and parallel software execution enable cutting-edge applications and cement the position of NI as a world leader in DAQ.