Wired2Fire Diablo Ultima review
If you're not fussed about gaming the Wired2Fire Diablo Ultima is a superb choice with excellent performance
Specifications
Processor: Quad-core 3.2GHz Intel Core i5-4460, RAM: 8GB , Front USB ports : 1x USB2, 1x USB3, Rear USB ports: 4x USB2, 2x USB3, Total storage: 1TB, Graphics card: VTX3D Radeon R9 270, Display: 22in LG 22MP55, Operating system: Windows 8.1
Wired2Fire has opted for a well-balanced PC in the Diablo Ultima, with most of the expense of this system going on the internal components rather than the outside. The Raijentek Arcadia tower isn’t a great looking case with a basic matt black paint scheme and honeycomb front grille. It’s not exactly inspiring, but it does the job of insulating the internal components and keeping the noise down. It also leaves room for a little future expansion.
Open up the Diablo Ultima and you’ll find a conventional PC build inside. Cables are neatly routed through the case’s panels and most wires are kept tidy, aside from the PCI-E power connectors, which are left hanging loose next to the graphics card. There’s one 120mm case fan at the rear.
The processor is a quad-core Intel Core i5-4460 that runs at its base clock speed of 3.2GHz, turbo boosting to 3.4GHz when thermal conditions allow. It’s cooled by a stock Intel heatsink and fan, and placed alongside 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory. It scored very well in our benchmarking tests, scoring 100 in the image-editing test, 93 for video conversion and an impressive 91 in the multitasking test. This is an extremely capable CPU perfect for processor-intensive tasks and is more than a match for simple desktop activities and web browsing. This is a great choice for someone who wants to get things done quickly but on a budget.
Core i5 processors typically do very well in our benchmarks, although their high price means that other components in budget PC builds tend to be slightly downmarket. That’s not the case here; Wired2Fire has installed a VTX3D AMD Radeon R9 270, which is a decent mid-range card. VTX3D has applied a modest overclock to the chip, upping the clock speed from 900MHz to 955MHz. Dirt Showdown at Ultra settings and 1,920×1,080 resolution ran at a consistent 62.2fps, while the more challenging Metro: Last Light could only stutter along at 22.3fps. However, turning off super sampling anti-aliasing, we were able to bring this up to 41fps, which is easily playable while still looking fantastic.
Core specs | |
---|---|
Processor | Quad-core 3.2GHz Intel Core i5-4460 |
Processor socket | LGA1150 |
RAM | 8GB |
Memory type | 1600MHz DDR3 |
Maximum memory | 16GB |
Motherboard | Asus H81M-PLUS |
Motherboard chipset | Intel H81 |
Ports and expansion | |
Front USB ports | 1x USB2, 1x USB3 |
Rear USB ports | 4x USB2, 2x USB3 |
Other ports | 2x PS/2 |
Networking | 1x 10/100/1000 Ethernet |
Case type | ATX |
Case size HxWxD | 430x455x200mm |
PCI (free) | 0 |
PCIe x1 (free) | 3 (2) |
PCIe x16 (free) | 1 (0) |
Serial ATA (free) | 4 (2) |
Memory slots (free) | 2 (0) |
Drive bays 2 1/2″ (free) | 1 (1) |
Drive bays 3 1/2″ (free) | 3 (2) |
Drive bays 5 1/4″ (free) | 2 (1) |
Storage | |
Total storage | 1TB |
Memory card reader | None |
Optical drive type | DVD-RW |
Graphics | |
Graphics card | VTX3D Radeon R9 270 |
Graphics/video ports | 2x DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort |
Sound | |
Sound card | None |
Sound card outputs | 3x 3.5mm audio output |
Speakers | None |
Display | |
Display | 22in LG 22MP55 |
Native resolution | 1,920×1,080 |
Inputs | HDMI, VGA |
Other hardware | |
Keyboard | Octigen Multimedia keyboard |
Mouse | Octigen 3D mouse |
Extras | None |
Software | |
Operating system | Windows 8.1 |
Operating system restore option | Windows 8 restore |
Buying information | |
Warranty | Three years RTB (two years parts) |
Price including delivery (inc VAT) | £599 |
Price excluding monitor (inc VAT and delivery) | £499 |
Supplier | www.wired2fire.co.uk |
Details | www.wired2fire.co.uk |
Part Code | Diablo Ultima |