CyberPower Ultra Triton GT review

CyberPower is one of the only manufacturers we’ve seen in months to send us a PC with an AMD processor, and it’s the top-of-the-range 2.9GHz A8-3850 APU - a chip that combines a processor with a graphics core in the same package.

Whether that’s a good choice is debatable: it’s at standard clock speed, and as CyberPower has also included a discrete graphics card, the APU’s own impressive integrated GPU is redundant. So while an overall benchmark score of 0.76 is fine for most everyday uses, it’s less than you’d expect from an Intel-based machine at this price.

That slower processor has an impact on the gaming side of things too. The CyberPower employs an AMD Radeon HD 6850, and it managed a very good average of 31fps in our Very High quality Crysis test. However, that’s beaten by other PCs in the same price bracket – the A-Listed Chillblast Fusion Elixir pairs an overclocked HD 6850 with an Intel processor for a result of 36fps in the same test.

Still, both are fast gamers, and some of the money saved has clearly been spent wisely. The case - a Cooler Master HAF 912 - is a cut above anything else we've seen at this price: rock-solid build quality, a cavernous interior, and a gregarious design that’s far more appealing than this budget usually offers.

Pop off the side panel and, as well as an interior that’s impeccably tidy thanks to its motherboard tray, you’ll find an Asetek water-cooling unit. All the slots and sockets are easily accessible, too, with five side-facing, tool-free hard disk bays and three similarly accessible 5.25in bays.

The small waterblock leaves room to reach the four DIMM sockets – although bear in mind they’re all full. The Gigabyte motherboard provides the standard array of slots, and the 850W power supply gives plenty of headroom.

That power supply, however, provides the CyberPower’s biggest headache: noise. It’s a loud PC when idle and, while the noise doesn’t really increase when stressed, it’s still noticeable – you’ll have to turn up the volume on your speakers to drown it out.

That aside, there’s plenty to like about the CyberPower. It has water-cooling and a good graphics card. Unless you really need raw power its processor is fine, and the savings have allowed CyberPower to bring an exceptional chassis to the table. We’d still opt for the Chillblast as a better all-round option, but this is an worthy alternative.

Author: Mike Jennings