Cyberpower Ultra Triton back-to-school desktop computer

Like the Braebo Athena and the PC Specialist Vulcan A8 that we've reviewed recently, the Cyberpower Ultra Triton XT is being billed as a back-to-school PC but, as with those computers, it's good for other users too.

It's a full desktop model, comprising the main processing unit, a monitor, keyboard and mouse. That makes it less portable, obviously, than a laptop, but you will usually get more power per pound with a desktop than with a laptop.

The ‘tower' processing unit is quite large (it stands 41cm tall), a little bigger than either of the aforementioned PCs. It has a large clear plastic section on one side of the case so it's possible to see inside.

When the computer is on, a bright blue light shines out from the front and bottom, and this also illuminates the inside of the computer. The internal fan was a little loud for our liking, but it's unlikely to be heard over the general noise of a living room.

The heart and brain of the Ultra Triton XT is an AMD A6-3650 processor, which is one of the chip-maker's latest models. Unlike previous processors, this one combines general processing with a separate graphics processing unit.

In theory this means it doesn't need a separate graphics card, and our lab tests bore this out; in our games tests it achieved good results. Most games will be easily playable in high quality but some newer titles may require turning the detail levels down – or dedicated gamers can add a graphics card later.

In general use the Ultra Triton XT performed more slowly than both the Athena and the Vulcan A8, but only by a very narrow margin. It certainly had no trouble with general office and internet use, and even more intensive tasks such as video editing will fly by.

It has the 64-bit edition of the Windows 7 operating system, which allows it to make full use of the enormous 8GB of memory it's supplied with (of which 0.5GB is used by the graphics processor).

It also has a capacious 1TB (1,000GB) hard disk for storage. There's a DVD drive which will read and write all kinds of CDs and DVDs, but it won't work with newer Blu-ray discs.

The computer has good connections: on the front are a memory card reader, three USB sockets and headphone and microphone sockets.

On the rear panel are four more USB sockets, two faster USB3 sockets (great if you have newer USB3-compatible peripherals such as external hard disks) and two more USB3 sockets on an expansion card. Another expansion card holds a wireless aerial: the computer will connect to both wired and wireless networks.

Otherwise there are DVI, VGA and HDMI sockets to connect all types of monitor and flat-panel TV, mouse and keyboard sockets and sound outputs. There's plenty of room inside the case to add expansion cards and hard disks or a Blu-ray drive, but all four memory slots are already taken.

Our test model came with a good 22in widescreen monitor and a wired keyboard and mouse made by Logitech. We prefer wireless keyboards and mice but the ones supplied here were good and comfortable to use.

The Cyberpower Ultra Triton XT is a very impressive computer, and the price is very competitive. It's fast, powerful and expandable, and is excellent value for pupils, students and, really, anyone else.