Bad luck or Bad Parts? Cyberpower Revisited. (12/01/08 Updates!)
Since my last post about Cyberpower, I have continued to experience issues with my system. First, something was seriously wrong with my video system. After a lot of diagnoses and downloading EVGA Precision, I determined that one of my two 9800GX2 cards was running hot (WAY HOT). At idle, this card was running @ 70(c) and at load it hit 112(c)! I pulled one card and then the other to determine which one was bad. Now comes the moment of truth, a call to CyberpowerPC tech support (dum dum duuuuuum!).
At first, I sent Cyberpower an email explaining the issue and asking for help. I received no response. Once I became convinced the issue was a bad card, called and left a message, again, no call back, however the next day I received and email (addressed to Dear Mr./Mrs.). I played phone/email tag with them for almost a week(In fairness, I was out of town for two days). Finally Zakary called me and it was a simple process. They needed a credit card number for a cross-ship (They send me a new part and I return the old one in the box I received the new one in). They ship the part ground, which would really suck if it was a part I needed to get my PC running!
After pulling the “bad” video card, I was still having issues with lockups. After doing a lot or research, I felt I had a bad memory module. I downloaded memtest86+ and tested both modules and found that I did indeed have a bad 2GB module. I followed the same process with Cyberpower to cross-ship a new memory module, however, I find it strange that I have had two parts fail in the first month of ownership. Fortunately, it only took me 1 business day to get a hold of Cyberpower to ship me my new memory stick.
On 11/4 I received me replacement video card, though the packaging was dubious, the card was in good shape and appeared to be new. The card performed as well as the my “good” card had. I have experienced temperature levels of a high of 70(c), which is within normal operating temperatures for this card.
As of this morning, my rig has been running for 48 hours without a lockup. I have a laid heavy load on it with Folding@Home and Prime95 tests.
I give CyberpowerPC a 5 for technical support. I am also not sure if the cost savings was worth the money for the rig. I spent a lot of time diagnosing issues with the system. While the Dell rig was a lot more expensive, their technical support is better and their rigs generally work out of the box.
I will update you on the memory chip this weekend.
UPDATE 11-10-08:
I received my replacement memory stick on Saturday. I immediately replaced my “good” chip with the new one and ran memtest86+. memtest86+ reported over 600 errors. I call CyberpowerPC on Sunday and worked out a complete memory swap. On the plus side, CyberpowerPC does call back and most RMA issues are resolved right away. I discovered OCZ is not on the certified vendor list for the ASUS Striker II Extreme. I decided to pay a $78 upgrade fee to buy top of the line Corsiar PC1333 DDR3 memory. That is supposed to ship today, I will update you on the progress as well. <sigh>
UPDATE 11/20/08
I recevied my replacement memory on Wednesday the 19th, I installed it and ran a full compliment of memtest86+ test, the tests passed with flying colors. I have since then been running for 48 hours with no issues. I will update you early next week, however it looks like the OCZ memory was the culprit. I hold the OCZ memory choice against Cyberpowerpc, however, you would anticipate a name brand vendor like OCZ to sell memory that actually works.
UPDATE 12/01/07:
I cannot tell you how happy I am with the change in memory. The new Corsair memory is rock’in the house! No issues, lockups, blue screens, NOTHING since I swapped out the crappy OCZ memory. This system now flys! If only I would have spent the $78 in the first place for the Corsair, but it was slower and more expensive. I have used OCZ memory in the past with good result, but I have never used OCZ’s high-end parts.
This is the end of my buying experience story. Ultimately, CyberpowerPC failed in properly vetting their suppliers. I think I would buy from CyberpowerPC again, only this time, I would by the name Corsair memory.
One question Ted, was it value for money? You appear to have had put a hell of a lot of time into it.
I do not think I would do it again. I have probably spent 40-60 hours trouble shooting this, and to be personally, it is not worth it. Conversely, I would not have paid $4700 for this rig, even if it worked.
Dell is better since easier to get support — but you have to take the case they send you.