KNOWLEDGE BASE

We understand that not everyone is tech savvy. With difficult-to-understand hardware specs to computer terminology, there’s a lot to consider – it can be a bit overwhelming. In this article we are covering everything you need to know from A-Z to help you choose better.

Terminology & Glossary

CPU: ‘Central Processing Unit’. The CPU is the brain of your PC that handles complex tasks. Heavy tasks such as video editing, rendering or photo editing, requires a stronger CPU.

Graphics Card (GPU): This is the engine for visual performance in application & games. A more high-end graphics card produces smoother and better graphics quality in gaming.

RAM: “Random Access Memory”. It is a temporary notepad for your computer or your PC’s short-term memory. The more ram available means you can have many applications and games open at the same time. In today’s world, 16GB of ram is the minimum standard for comfortable productivity tasks and gaming. For high end video editing or photo editing, 32GB of ram is recommended.

Hard Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD), NVMe SSD: Hard drive or SSD is used as your computer’s storage to store data such as, games, files and applications. SSD is 10x faster than HDD. And NVMe is 8x faster than a normal SSD. The faster the storage, the faster loading times will be in games & applications. In Cobratech systems, we only use NVMe SSD.

Motherboard: The motherboard is the backbone that ties the computer’s components together at one spot and allows them to talk to each other. Without it, none of the computer pieces, such as the CPU, GPU, or hard drive, could interact

Overclocking / OC: Your computer’s CPU or GPU comes from the factory set to run at a certain maximum safe speed. This speed can be tampered with manually by the user to increase the speed more than the factory intended to. Doing so will void your warranty and put your computer at risk of damage. However, some graphics card models come with “OC edition “. These have been safely overclocked by the factory, out of the box, for extra performance, without risk of damage.

FPS: Frames Per Second or FPS is the rate at which back-to-back images called frames appear in a display and form moving imagery. The more FPS, the smoother the gaming visuals will be.

Bottleneck: “Bottlenecks” occur when one component holds back the potential of a more powerful component. Almost any component can contribute to a bottleneck, but special attention should be paid to the CPU and GPU in a gaming PC. Cobratech systems are designed to be well-balanced and hand-picked components by our technicians to avoid bottlenecks.

Thermal Throttling: “Throttling” in this context means “ditching performance” in the form of lowering clock speeds. Your GPU or CPU will run slower to keep the component under their safe operating temperature, performance down with it. This happens when a cooling solution is not good enough. Cobratech PCs are engineered to run icy cool with components kept under 65°C.

Esports Games: eSports is organized competitive video gaming. It primarily involves teams competing against each other in tournaments for a cash prize. Examples of some Esports games are: Counter-Strike Series, Overwatch, Rainbow Six: Siege, Valorant, DOTA 2 and Fortnite.

 AAA (Triple-A) Games: The term "AAA Games" is a classification used within the video gaming industry to signify high-budget, high-profile games that are typically produced and distributed by large, well-known publishers. Some examples are: Grand Theft Auto V, Call of Duty Series, Halo Series, Battlefield Series, Forza Series and Assassin's Creed.

Ray-Tracing (RT): It is a method of graphics rendering that simulates the physical behavior of light. Ray tracing capable graphics cards are capable of making light behave in a realistic way, which makes video games more immersive.

 General Information Category

Monitor refresh rates - 60Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz: Refresh rate refers to the maximum number of times per second that the image displayed on the screen will be updated. Higher refresh rate monitor offers smoother visuals. When paired with the high frame rates produced by a GPU, this can result in a smoother experience and higher FPS displayed.

The monitor can only display an image at the rate the system produces it. For example, if your monitor has a refresh rate of 144Hz but the GPU is only supplying 60 frames per second, that higher refresh rate is not being utilized and your eyes will only see the visual smoothness at 60Hz. For high FPS gaming (80+ FPS), You need a monitor with a refresh rate of 120Hz and above, and a gaming PC capable of delivering high FPS.

120Hz refresh rate offers very noticeable difference when compared to a 60Hz monitor. However, human eyes will struggle to notice the difference between a 165Hz monitor and a 240Hz Monitor.

Optimal CPU and GPU Temperatures: As a general rule, temperature under full load should be under 85°C. Most CPU and GPU have safe operating working temperature of 99 °C.

Reasons why gaming PCs are better than gaming consoles: PC gaming is king. It’s a better experience gaming on a PC than console due to all the advantages that PC gaming offers. The sky is the limit when owning a gaming pc. From customizing your PC hardware and aesthetics, future upgradeability, customizing how you want your games to look, better visuals and performance, to cheaper games. Gaming consoles are often very limited in terms of customizing and how you want your game’s graphics to look and feel. Games’ graphics settings and FPS are often locked on consoles and cannot be customized.

Games constantly get more advanced every 3 years or so, demanding better hardware. With a gaming console you will often be locked to outdated hardware for 5 or 7 years until the next version of the console comes out. With a PC, it stays up to date for around 5 years and when the time comes, you can just swap out your graphics card or your CPU to suit your needs. A top-tier gaming PC will always be more powerful than any games console, and that’s just a fact.

1080P, 1440P and 4K Monitors & Graphics settings: The resolution of a monitor is simply how many pixels there are and at what ratio. More pixels equal to better visual quality. When referring to “1080P”, “1440P “or “4K” gaming, it means that the graphics card is capable of rendering that resolution. For example, if you own a 1440P monitor, having a graphics card capable of running games at 1440P resolution, will produce sharp and crisp visual graphics. Playing games on 1080P settings on a 1440P monitor would still look visually stunning but not as sharp as 1440P settings

FAQ / TROUBLESHOOTING

• How long does it take to receive my PC? Estimated delivery time is between 1 to 7 business days from the day we receive your order. This estimate takes into account building, handling, dispatch and transit times. Delivery times may vary due to stock availability, different shipping networks and your location.For peace of mind, our warranty policy also covers lost or damaged goods in transit.

• What is COBRATECH Upgrade Program? We support any upgrades to Cobratech systems, provided we stock the parts and that the upgrade is compatible. A one-time $70 service and labour fee is charged for any upgrades. We can Upgrade any part of the computer as per your requirements.

• Where do you ship? We ship Australia-Wide and to any Australian address.

• What payment methods do you accept? We accept PayPal, direct bank transfer, PayID, Debit & Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ZipPay and AfterPay (TBA).

• Where are Cobratech PCs built? We hand craft our systems locally in Croydon VIC 3136, Melbourne. Our warehouse is located in Croydon as well. Our 2^nd warehouse will be located in Moroolbark VIC 3138. We perform extensive quality control & inspections to ensure our extreme standards of build quality are met, we benchmark and do further testing. Every step that goes in, ensures the PC is ready to play as soon as you receive your rig.

• What does my warranty cover? Cobratech products come with 3-year (36 Months) warranty and covers all hardware issues during your warranty period. We also cover any damages occurred during transit or delivery to you. We do NOT charge a labour fee for repair and servicing work, nor the cost of the replacement part during the warranty period. It will be done free of charge. We have a 1 for 1 part-exchange policy for failed parts meaning replaced parts will be the same or better. Our warranty does not cover things such as accidental damage, wear and tear, change of mind, cost of return postage or misuse (e.g., unauthorized overclocking or undervolting). Please see our full Warranty policy for more information.

• What can I do if my system is out of warranty? We support our customers inside or outside of the warranty period. If your system needs to be serviced by a Cobratech technician, we will charge a discounted price for replacement parts and labour.

• Can I pick-up my order? We offer Click and Collect; however, we do not have a storefront for picking up orders. Express shipping is used as standard for fast delivery for customer’s convenience.

• Does COBRATECH install any bloatware on the system? Cobratech systems have ZERO Bloatware installed. We do NOT install any 3rd party software. At Cobratech, we build PCs designed for the best performance, reliability and longevity that fit your needs, not a software provider's. You'll only find the necessary drivers and controls for the hardware in your system.

• What does future proof PC mean? And is my PC future proof? it simply refers to making sure your PC will be able to adapt to new developments years down the road and has easy upgradeability. We use the newest hardware available therefore Cobratech systems are future proof and every aspect of the computer can be upgraded when needed.

• Why did Cobratech enter the market? We have always seen a gap in the market for highly affordable, high quality and great looking gaming pcs. Often times our competitors have much higher prices for the same specs computer and less aesthetically pleasing. Gaming PCs with cutting edge chassis are often over priced and come with premium price tags. This is NOT the case with Cobratech systems.

• What is your ABN? Our ABN is 59 185 256 027

Troubleshooting FAQ category:

How do I reinstall Windows or restore my computer? To reset or restore your PC, please follow these steps. Note that doing this step will reinstall windows automatically and all your files and applications will be deleted and your PC will return to out of the box condition.

1: Navigate to the windows recovery tool by typing in “reset this pc “into windows 10 or 11 search bar and press enter.

2: From the recovery options, select “Reset PC” and follow the on-screen instructions.

3: The process will take couple of hours to finish. During this time please don’t shut down the computer. Once the process is finished, you will be prompted with the windows setup page. Follow the on-screen guide to complete the windows setup.

To perform a fresh install of windows manually, please follow these steps.

Creating a Windows 10 or 11 Recovery USB Drive

If you do not have access to a working computer and a USB flash drive that’s at least 8GB, please contact us directly and we will post it to you asap. Otherwise, you can follow the below steps to create a recovery USB drive for windows 10 or windows 11.

Please follow the link below to download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website. Please note that any data you have on the flash drive will be deleted.

Windows 10: Select “Download Tool Now” under “Create Windows 10 installation media” section. https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10

Windows 11: Select “Download Now” under “Create Windows 11 Installation Media” section. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

 

Windows installation Process

You would perform this method using the USB recovery flash drive you’ve created using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Make sure any external storage drives are unplugged from the system or they may be accidentally deleted during this process.

You want to start with the system turned off and the USB Recovery Drive inserted into a USB port on the computer. Please see detailed steps below.

 

1. Power on your computer.
2. Immediately after powering on, continuously tap the appropriate Boot Menu key, based on your motherboard:
3. (ASUS: F8 key; Gigabyte: F12 key; MSI: F11 key; ASRock: F11 key)
4. A prompt with options should display, called the “Boot options menu”.
5. Select the name of your USB drive, an example for USB would be, UEFI: (Kingston USB)
6. After selecting the drive, it should boot into the USB/DVD recovery drive and begin the Windows Installation steps.
7. On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next.
8. Select Install now.
9. On the Enter the product key to activate Windows page, enter a product key if you have one or at the bottom there is a “I don’t have a product key” option to allow you to skip it.
10. On the License terms page, select I accept the license terms (if you agree to them), and then select Next.
11. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, select Custom.
12. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select a partition (There will be couple of partitions on the OS/Windows drive), select the Delete option (if no backups are necessary) for each partition you have on the OS/Windows drive. Make sure to ONLY delete the drive that the OS/Windows is located on, no other drive has to be deleted. When you’re done deleting each partition on the OS drive, there should be one single partition left called the “Unallocated Space”.
13. When you've finished for deleting the four partitions, select the Unallocated Space and select Next. Warning: make sure any external storage drives are unplugged from the system or they may be accidentally deleted!
14. Follow the rest of the setup instructions to finish installing Windows 10. Your PC may restart one or more times before the process finishes.

 

I can hear my system bootup, but the screen is blank. This may be caused by your monitor being plugged into the wrong video port. The monitor should be connected to the graphics card ( the very bottom video ports ) as opposed to the motherboard. Also, be sure that your monitor is set to the correct input / source (HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort etc.) Make sure the monitor is plugged in and powered on. If it’s powered on, there should be a light on or near the power button and you should get an error message such as “No Signal”.

Most monitors have a button that lets you choose between the different monitor inputs. Check that the input source on your monitor is set to the same connection as the cable you’re using (HDMI, DVI-D, or DisplayPort) using the correct button on the monitor.

Confirm the display cable is plugged into the DVI-D, HDMI or DisplayPort ports on the horizontal graphics card and not the vertical HDMI port. The onboard ports on the motherboard (top left silver bracket) will only work with a CPU with integrated graphics chip. The exact layout of your PC may be different, but generally you will want to plug in the monitor cable to the graphics ports that are below the green, pink and blue audio ports.

Confirm that the monitor cable is plugged into the monitor output port, not the input port if any. Some monitors will be able to send a display to another device, but that same port will not be able to receive a display from the computer.

Lastly, unplug the power cable from the computer. Hold the power button on the computer for 15 seconds. Plug in the power cable and try turning on the computer again.

I am seeing a notification on my desktop ‘Windows isn’t activated, Activate windows now’. What does it mean? Cobratech systems typically come with activated windows included with your purchase unless mentioned otherwise. If that is not the case or you have changed your hardware and need to reinstall and activate windows again, you can purchase an activation key from us or directly from Microsoft website or other retailers to activate the windows. Windows will still be functional. However, you will not be able o change the wallpaper, accent colours, themes, lock screen, and so on. Anything related to personalization will be greyed out or not accessible.

Please Note: License / activation keys are associated with your hardware and often linked to your Microsoft account. Changing your motherboard, OS storage drive or changing your Microsoft account, may require you to activate windows again.

Why did my computer come with extra cables and screws? All extra accessories are supplied in the event that you would like to upgrade your computer or change your hardware.

Are there any drivers required for me to install or update out of the box? Cobratech makes sure that the user experience is completely plug n play. We fully update and install all required drivers including motherboard’s bios and graphics card drivers. Your experience and satisfaction is our highest priority.

How do I control the ARGB lighting system and system fans on my computer?

Please note: If you would like to control the RGB lighting with the motherboard’s SYNC application, press the M/B button on the remote to switch. Respectively, if the RGB lighting does not change when using the remote controller, press the M/B button again to switch to remote controller mode.

Components such as graphics card or ram modules, cannot be controlled using the remote controller and can only be controlled via their respective manufacturer’s software which will be pre-installed for the user by Cobratech.

Please note: chassis fan speed adjustments will not be saved when the computer is turned off. When computer is turned off completely and turned back on again, fan speed will automatically be adjusted to HIGH setting. To maintain the custom fan speed, please set your computer to ‘Sleep ‘or ‘hibernate ‘.

 

No power:

Check to see the power cable is securely plugged into the power supply unit (PSU) in the back of the computer and into a powered outlet. Check another if possible.

Make sure the rocker switch on the PSU is set to the ‘1’ or line side, not the ‘0’ or circle side.

Locate the PW SW/RES SW headers on the motherboard and reseat them.

Perform a power cycle by unplugging the power cable, turning the switch to the ‘0’ side and taking out the CMOS battery from the motherboard. After a minute has passed, press the power button repeatedly in order to drain the capacitors. Plug the power cable in, turn the switch to the ‘1’ side, reinstall the CMOS battery and press the power button again to see if it turns on.

Why are my GPU fans not spinning? Many of the graphic cards that are installed into our PCs have fans that do not spin when the card is idling. The fans will spin while playing a game that pushes the card enough to reach a certain temperature threshold.

I can’t connect to my wi-fi/internet or bluetooth connection is poor:

If you are experiencing no/poor wi-fi connection, please ensure that the included USB WiFi adapter is connected correctly to a USB port. If you believe the included USB WiFi adapter is faulty, please contact us to receive a replacement.

Make sure your router isn’t hidden or blocked by interferences. Your router should always be in direct line with your wireless devices. Keep it central and off of the floor. Check to see if your router needs a firmware update. An updated and protected router performs best. Use a WiFi booster. Specifically, a wired WiFi booster such as a MoCA adapter can improve your home network’s speed as well as your WiFi coverage.

Ensure that you are not too far away from your modem/router. Physical interferences like thick walls, floors, or other appliances can cause poor wifi connections. Too many people or devices connected to one network can also be a cause of poor wifi signal.

WARRANTY & RETURN POLICY

SUMMARY

Cobratech products come with 3-year (36 Months) warranty and covers all hardware issues during your warranty period. We also cover any damages occurred during transit or delivery to you. We do NOT charge a labour fee for repair and servicing work, nor the cost of the replacement part during the warranty period. It will be done free of charge. We have a 1 for 1 part-exchange policy for failed parts meaning replaced parts will be the same or better.

Our warranty does not cover things such as accidental damage, wear and tear, change of mind, misuse (e.g., unauthorized overclocking or undervolting) and software issues not caused by the hardware components.

Warranty Definitions

Product – Refers to any hardware manufactured for or by COBRATECH bearing the " COBRATECH " trademark, trade name, or logo that is purchased directly from COBRATECH.

Original Purchaser - any consumer that purchases and has possession of a Product directly from COBRATECH.

End User - the ultimate consumer of the Product and constitutes anyone who owns and uses an COBRATECH Product.

Date of Original Retail Purchase - the date the Original Purchaser bought the Product from COBRATECH.

 

Scope of Warranty

COBRATECH WARRANTS this COBRATECH hardware Product against defects in merchandise and workmanship for a period of THREE (3) YEAR from the Date of Original Retail Purchase.

COBRATECH warrants the original purchaser that any part of the hardware system, excluding software, documentation and similar terms will be free of defects of both workmanship and materials for the warranty period included with the purchase. (Starting from the date of collection or delivery.)

 

1. a) Coverage

COBRATECH warrants the original purchaser that any part of the Product, excluding software, documentation and other peripherals, will be free of defects of both workmanship and materials for the warranty period include with the purchase. The date of warranty coverage starts from the date of collection or delivery of the Product.

During the product's warranty period, COBRATECH will repair or replace defective hardware for defects specified and found in the Product. This will be done without any labour charge (free of charge) and the cost of parts will also be provided free of charge during the warranty period. Parts may not be exactly the same, but will be equivalent or slightly better.

COBRATECH shall, under no circumstances, be liable to provide warranty service for products that have been damaged by accident, abuse, misuse or misapplication, for example, unauthorized overclocking or undervolting. This also applies if the product has been modified without written agreement from COBRATECH.

Any issues caused by voltage manipulation will not be covered under the COBRATECH warranty.

COBRATECH covers any damages occurred to the product during transit or delivery to the customer. In the event of damages caused to your system or product during transit or delivery, we will repair the product free of charge or provide appropriate compensation.

Any replacement parts will be warranted to be free of defects of workmanship and material for ONE (1) month from time of replacement, or for the remainder of the warranty period of the COBRATECH Product it is replacing (whichever is longer).

 

1. b) Procedure

If a defect is found in a purchased COBRATECH Product, contact the COBRATECH team by email (admin@cobratech.com.au), phone or social media.

If the COBRATECH team is contacted through phone, social media messaging or email, COBRATECH will endeavor to provide guidance to diagnose or solve the problem. Where possible we try to remotely fix the problem.

If the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, social media messaging or email, we will require our technicians to physically work on the machine. A collection service can be opted for, and relevant charges will apply. Alternatively, the user or the customer will be responsible to either carry in the Product or mail it in. In most cases, COBRATECH will provide return shipping label and/or schedule pick up free of charge however in certain cases, customer may be responsible to cover the delivery cost for getting it to our Service Centre location. We will cover the delivery cost for getting it back to the user or customer. If customer / user is located in Melbourne, they can contact COBRATECH to drop off the product if they desire.

We do not require the product to be returned in its original packaging. However, we recommend using its original packaging as per how it was received originally by the customer to avoid damages. If the original packaging is not used, COBRATECH will not be liable for damage to the product during transit back to our service centre, and any repairs for transit damage will be at the customer's expense. COBRATECH will not be liable or responsible for damage to the product during transit back to our service.

For such warranty claims, the following details are required - Name, Address, Contact Number, Order Number and Warranty Service Tag.

COBRATECH Should be notified immediately within ONE (1) business day after collection or receipt of the package/s, if the product/s arrive damaged, dead on arrival, not working or physically damaged.

COBRATECH will, at its option and to the extent permitted by law:

(1) repair the Product (using new or refurbished replacement parts);

(2) replace the Product with a product that is new or which has been manufactured from new or serviceable used parts and is at least functionally equivalent to the original product; or

(3) issue a partial refund of the original purchase price of the Product, if for some reason, the Product cannot be repaired or replaced—provided you return it during the parts warranty period owned.

Diagnosis will typically take place within 1-3 business days - we will let you know the expected time frame for any repairs or replacement parts.

Graphics cards are intended only for use with desktop PCs. Other types of use, such as blockchain computing or cryptocurrency mining, will render the product warranty void.

 

COBRATECH’s Limited Warranty Obligations

In the event that COBRATECH decides to refund (the value of) or replace the product, the term of this warranty shall expire as of the time of that refund or replacement.

No COBRATECH agent or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension or addition to this warranty. If any term is held to be illegal or unenforceable, the legality or enforceability of the remaining terms shall not be affected or impaired.

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, COBRATECH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LOSS OF USE; LOSS OF REVENUE; LOSS OF ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS ON CONTRACTS); LOSS OF ACTUAL MONEY; LOSS OF ANTICIPATED SAVINGS; LOSS OF BUSINESS; LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY; LOSS OF GOODWILL; LOSS OF REPUTATION; LOSS OF, DAMAGE TO OR CORRUPTION OF DATA; DOWNTIME; OR ANY INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE HOWSOEVER CAUSED INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY, ANY COSTS OF RECOVERING, REPROGRAMMING, OR REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH COBRATECH PRODUCTS, AND ANY FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF DATA STORED ON COBRATECH PRODUCTS.

 

Transferability of COBRATECH Warranty

THIS WARRANTY COVERS THE PRODUCT AND ONLY THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER AND IS NOT TRASNFERABLE.

 

Returns

Most items sold by Cobratech are hand crafted and custom built to order. We allocate many hours of labour, testing time, stocks, parts, booking shipping / delivery and many other factors involved in this process. Due to this lengthy process, simple change of mind returns are not accepted. However, Cobratech always strives to provide the best customer service possible and may decide to accept returns on a case by case basis:

1. Change of minds
2. Accidental orders
3. In the event of approving refund requests, refunds can only be made to the original account of payment.