Value -
Value is another very subjective topic. What is expensive to some might be a deal to others. You can look at this topic in multiple ways. One is raw price and the other is what you get for the money. Each is accurate and both are correct ways to look at price/value. We tend to look at features, performance and real-property when we discuss value. However, we also take into account the raw cash cost of the item.
The Gigabyte A55M-DS2 will set you back $60 from most online stores. This is a good price for an entry level board like the A55M-DS2 especially when you look at the options you have for expansion. True you are not going to be able to drop a 68xx or 58xx series card in here, but you can add a much better GPU and audio card for not that much extra and turn this into a pretty nice HTPC or mainstream gaming rig.

Conclusion -
The Gigabyte A55M-DS2 is not going to win any performance crowns. Then again it is not intended to; the A55M-DS2 is meant as a low cost entry level board with room to grow. When we first looked at it we could not decide exactly where it fit into the market. It seemed that Gigabyte had given the A55M-DS2 an identity crisis. Now looking at the whole picture we find that it is intended as a general usage board at the bottom pricing rung. This means that you can grab this board along with a lower cost AMD APU (like the A-3650) and still have money left over to pick up a better GPU or Audio card depending on your needs. The A55M-DS2 will give you solid performance while allowing you the flexibility to create the system you need it to be, all without breaking the bank.

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