SysOpt lately has examined several Socket 939 motherboards that offer exceptional value by targeting the "Performance-Mainstream" market. Today, we present a product with a price tag that, at first glance, seems to redefine "value" entirely: the Chaintech VNF4 Ultra Zenith VE. With Web pricing as low as $80, how can it possibly compare to the more expensive units we've covered?

Founded in 1986, Chaintech Computer Co. Ltd. has focused primarily on the ultra-competitive entry-level market. Over the last 19 years, it has succeeded where much of its competition failed, delivering respectable quality without getting priced out of the market. In fact, failing competition allowed Chaintech to grow even as the industry declined!

(Ironically, recent rumors have surfaced about its being forced out of the motherboard market -- a charge company management loudly denies. Adding to the speculation, this week Chaintech also announced that it would be taking on a minority partner in Walton Advanced Engineering and announced a new line of memory products, but reaffirmed its dedication to the motherboard business.)

Chaintech is marketing its Zenith series to enthusiasts and power users, although its low prices almost betray such product positioning, making it easy for the market to view Zenith as "merely" another budget offering. Yet buyers with lofty expectations as well as humble budgets should appreciate the efforts Chaintech has taken to maintain low average selling prices.