CyberPower Gamer Ultra 930 budget desktop PC review

Based on the familiar CoolerMaster Elite 330 case, CyberPower’s Gamer Ultra 930 looks much like the other sub-£500 systems. But a look inside reveals a different beast.

The CyberPower Gamer Ultra 930’s Phenom 9550 X4 quad-core processor is well equipped to handle multiple applications and the latest entertainment titles. The processor is topped by a massive Thermaltake Blue Orb II cooler, which helps keep things quiet.

As is often the case with quad-core computing, however, the CyberPower Gamer Ultra 930’s WorldBench 6 speed scores lag behind those of its rivals. You won’t get the best from this system unless you use multithreaded software.

The 19in Hannspree HW191D flat-panel is well suited to the CyberPower Gamer Ultra 930’s capabilities. Graphics grunt is provided by an ATI Radeon HD 3650 card. This offers similar performance to the other PCs’ GeForce 8600 GTs, although that card achieves a narrow lead in certain more demanding games.

Where the CyberPower Gamer Ultra 930 really loses marks is in its use of Vista Home Basic – you lose many of Premium’s features, including Windows Media Center and the Aero Glass interface.

Budget desktop PCs chart ranking (July 08 issue)

1. Arbico Elite 8400
2. Chillblast Fusion Rogue
3. Mesh Delta GT
4. CyberPower Gamer Ultra 930
5. CyberPower Gamer Infinity 750