Chaintech 9CJS Zenith

Company: Chaintech
Product: 9CJS Zenith
Street Price: ~$280 USD
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Reviewed By: Joey C. aka Chong345
Overall Rating: (9/10)

Features (Cont):

The sound on the motherboard is controlled by the VIA ENVY24PT and the VIA VT1616 chips. The VIA ENVY24PT chip allows for 24-bit resolution and 96KHz sampling rates and even 7.1 Channel audio. The VT1616 provides support S/PDIF which is available on the multimedia card.

After taking a look at all the features found on the motherboard, lets take a look at the other features that are bundled with the motherboard. The first thing we want to take a look at is the CBOX 3. The CBOX 3 is a multi-function front panel. The panel has ports for audio jacks, one IEEE1394 FireWire port, two USB ports, Infra-Red (use with remote control), 6-in-1 card reader, and a LED debug display. This is a very nice addition to the bundle since the major ports are provided on the CBOX 3, which makes hooking up various devices much easier than having to go to the back of the case. The LED debugger aids in troubleshooting system issues when booting up. There is a card that provides definitions for all the display codes and they can also be found in the manual.

Along with the CBOX 3 you get all the necessary cables and 3 different colored face plates. Black, white, and silver are the colors the user has to chose from so that they can match the CBOX 3 with any of their cases. Here is the really interesting part. Also included is a remote control. This remote control has the ability to turn a system on and off, go forward or backward in the web browser, CD player controls, and many other features. We think the remote control is a little bit overboard but it is still convenient for those who just want to kick back and enjoy their computers or use their computers as their multimedia centers.

Another feature included with the bundle is the Chaintech Multimedia Card. The card has two extra ports for IEEE1394 FireWire, audio jacks for 7.1 surround sound, and a S/PDIF out port. This card goes plugs into the last slot on the motherboard know as the CMR or Chaintech Media Riser.

Also included with the board is the drivers and utilities CD, two Serial ATA cables, an I/O shield, two 60cm rounded IDE cables, one 60cm rounded floppy cable, a Serial ATA power cable, and a fiber optical cable for the S/PDIF.

It is not hard to see that the Chaintech 9CJS is a feature rich motherboard. Obviously Chaintech wants to provide a motherboard for the most high end of users. All the features anyone could ever need is found in this one package. The CBOX 3 is impressive since it probably is the most functional extra feature in the package. The interchangeable face plates makes it so that the unit will match most cases. Overall this package is much like the one we saw with the Chaintech 7NJS but with a few new twists. Over time we will review more motherboards based on the i875P chipset and we are sure that the 9CJS will still probably be one of the most feature rich boards out of the bunch.