Quality Control

Build / Assembly

• Review work order and build notes

  We review the order and notes to ensure that any special build requests are performed.

• Check parts and serial numbers

  Before starting assembly on your system, we verify that we have all the correct parts and everything is accounted for.

• Test the power supply for correct voltage levels

  Using a tester, we check your power supply for basic functionality and correct output voltages before connecting it to any system components. For systems using an external A/C adapter, we use a voltmeter to check that the output voltage is correct.

• Check for POST of MB/CPU/RAM

  We check your motherboard, processor, and system memory for correct basic operation before integration into the system chassis, allowing us to catch any major issues early in the build process.

• Test onboard video outputs (if applicable)

  We test any onboard video outputs your motherboard may have and make sure they work correctly.

• Update system BIOS to newest version

  We update your motherboard's BIOS to the most recent stable release provided by the manufacturer and approved by Puget Systems.

• Assemble the rest of the system, verify all parts

  Your system is assembled! We also double check all the parts on your order at this step, to make sure they are all correct, present and accounted for.

• Check for POST of fully completed system

  With assembly fully completed, we make sure that the system still turns on and boots correctly.

• Verify correct CPU and memory settings

  We check that your CPU is running at the expected frequency and your system memory is running at the manufacturer recommended settings for best stability and performance.

• Set QFan and fan monitor settings (if applicable)

  We check that the motherboard's fan ramping options are set appropriately for the system configuration.

• Set boot order

  We check that your system's boot device priority is set appropriately.

• Disable any unnecessary onboard devices

  We will disable any integrated devices that are not used in your system as configured. This may include items like onboard audio, serial port controllers, etc.

• Verify any unsecured cabling is hot glued

  We use hot glue on any delicate connections to help keep them from becoming disconnected during shipping.

• Install GPU Brace (if applicable)

  For larger video cards we install an additional support brace to help protect your system from shipping damage and from sagging over time.

• Install CPU brace (if applicable)

  If possible, we will install a custom CPU cooler support brace to help protect your system during shipping.

• Bundle accessories

  Before moving on to initial testing we bundle any necessary accessories with your system and check the work area to make sure we haven't left anything out.

Phase 1 Testing

• Verify all fans are spinning at desired RPM/Test fan controller

  We check that all system fans spin up and operate with the intended settings. For fans connected to a chassis controller, we check that they operate correctly on all settings of the controller.

• Test Reset Button (If Applicable)

  We check that your chassis' reset button (if it has one) is connected and functional.

• Verify front LED functionality

  We check that any appropriate chassis indicator lights, such as power or disk activity LEDs, are connected and functioning as expected.

• Run hard drive test

  We run a quick test of any hard disks in your system in order to catch any major defects before OS installation. Your drives will be put through additional testing during system benchmarks.

• Run memory test

  We run an initial test on your CPU and RAM to check for errors that could lead to instability or a corrupted OS install.

Install / Setup

• Check order instructions

  We check for any special instructions there may be for your order to ensure that the system is configured exactly how you want it.

• Install base operating system

  Your hard drive is installed with a base level install of the operating system, which is later customized to your order.

• Install / update device drivers

  All the most recent drivers (downloaded from the manufacturer) are loaded for your devices.

• Check partition sizes

  We make sure that all your hard drives are correctly partitioned, and that any special instructions about partition sizes are followed.

• Synchronize time with server

  Your time is synchronized with an atomic US government clock.

• Install approved Windows updates

  All Windows updates and service packs are applied.

• Install all software and updates

  All software on your invoice is installed and any applicable update packs are applied.

• Update optical drive firmware (if applicable)

  Your optical drive firmware is updated as applicable, to ensure best media compatibility.

• Copy feedback icon to desktop

  A link is placed on your desktop to leave feedback about your computer.

• Run Windows Experience Index (if applicable)

  Windows Experience Index gives the computer a score that is used to determine which features (such as Aero in Windows 7) should be enabled by default.

• Verify purchased software loads properly (if applicable)

  We run any purchased software to verify that it loads correctly.

• Verify front ports (USB, firewire, eSATA, sound)

  All front ports on your case are verified to be functional. In some cases, it is not possible for all ports to be active (ie, if you have a sound card with no front audio support, we cannot hook it up to the front sound port on a case).

• Verify floppy drive, optical drive, card reader

  All removable drives are confirmed to be included in My Computer.

• Partition and format external hard drives (if applicable)

  Any purchased external hard drives are configured for use out of the box, with the exception of Western Digital MyBook drives, which are required to be configured by the end user.

• Optimize Windows settings for SSD (if applicable)

  We optimize the operating system settings for your solid state drives using the appropriate software (i.e. Samsung Magician or Intel SSD Toolbox) and verify that the firmware version is current.

• Test touchpad sensitivity (if applicable)

  With laptops, we specifically test the touchpad to make sure the sensitivity is properly calibrated and free from hardware defects.

• Check special notebook functions (if applicable)

  At this step, we test some specific functions to laptops: 1) Wireless continues to function on battery power 2) ALL special physical hotkeys function 3) ALL function keys across numeric row function 4) Integrated accessories (ie, mic, webcam, fingerprint reader) 5) Bluetooth can pair with a device

Phase 2 Testing

• Double check system specs

  Your system specs are double checked for any mistakes, using an automated utility we have built that not only checks for the right parts, but that they are configured correctly.

• Test standby mode and power off

  We put your system into standby and back, and turn system completely off and back on, to verify normal behavior.

• Test wireless connection (if applicable)

  If your configuration includes wireless, we check for normal reception.

• Test DVD-RW burning

  If you have a DVDRW drive, we burn a short movie to a DVD to test the drive. This DVD is next used to verify DVD movie playback.

• Play movie DVD

  We play a movie DVD in your drive to confirm drive functionality, as well as codec installation. DVD playback software is installed if needed. Not applicable if you do not order a DVD drive.

• Check for sound output

  Your sound card is confirmed to output sound.

• Stress Test

  We run a combination of Prime95 and Furmark to stress your system far beyond typical loads.

• CrystalDiskMark

  We run CrystalDiskMark to benchmark the read/write speeds of all your hard drives.

• CineBench

  CINEBENCH is a real-world cross platform test suite that evaluates your computer's performance capabilities. CINEBENCH is based on MAXON's award-winning animation software CINEMA 4D, which is used extensively by studios and production houses worldwide for 3D content creation

• System Test Suite

  We run a variety of tests to benchmark various aspects of your system. These benchmarks include wireless signal strength tests, Euler3d, Lame Encoding, Windows Media Encoding, and WinRar compression/extraction.

• Unigine Heaven 4

  Unigine Heaven is a game simulation which we use to test the 3d graphics performance of your system. Using the built-in benchmarking utility, we run through a variety of resolutions and settings and measure the frames per second.

• Geekbench

  Geekbench provides a comprehensive set of benchmarks engineered to quickly and accurately measure processor and memory performance.

• Windows Experience Index (if applicable)

  The Windows Experience Index measures the capability of your systems (Available on Vista/Windows 7 only)

• Upload benchmarks and temperature logs

  All the benchmarks taken during the phase 2 testing process are recorded on our server, providing you with benchmark scores, and providing us with statistical information that will help us assist future customers. We also upload our temperature logs, giving you a baseline you can compare to after you receive the system.

Quality Control

• Review build log

  We review the entire build log for your machine.

• Verify condition of chassis

  We give the system a physical inspection to ensure there are no scratches / blemishes.

• Verify the Puget order number label is correct.

  We make sure that the serial number we label on your system is correct.

• Check BIOS settings / OC profile

  We double check all Bios settings to ensure build performance, and verify that settings are saved for future use.

• Verify all parts are present and installed correctly

  We re-check the computer to make sure everything is present and installed.

• Verify documented license keys match physical copies (if applicable)

  We re-check that documented and installed software license keys match with the physical copies packaged with your system.

• Ensure rear IO shield is properly mounted (if applicable)

  When installing a motherboard, the rear IO shield can sometimes seat improperly. We check to make sure it is correct.

• Verify fan orientations

  We review your system fan orientation, and make any corrections that might be necessary to implement an optimal cooling strategy.

• Check for loose or missing screws

  We give another check to your screws, to make sure they're all secure. Looks can be deceiving, so we check manually.

• Ensure all items are secure (esp. heavy components)

  To make sure the computer is prepared for shipping, we double-check the solidity of the items inside, especially the heaver ones like video cards or CPU heatsinks.

• Check hot glue for neatness (if applicable)

  We use hot glue to secure certain items -- at this step, we make sure it is tidy and not over-applied.

• Check any high risk heatsink mountings (if applicable)

  We check any heatsinks that are large enough to risk being seated improperly, to make sure they are both secure, and make good contact with the chip they are cooling.

• Verify all PCI cards are seated in their slots evenly (if applicable)

  We make sure your PCI cards are square in their slots. Uneven seating could be due to a partially unseated card, or even an out-of-square chassis.

• Ensure machine is built to customer expectations

  We look at all notes put on the order by your sales rep, and make sure the machine is built with your requirements in mind. This might mean tuning the fans (if you emphasized you wanted it quiet), checking drive placements, etc.

• Check certification and case modifications.

  We double check to make sure your Puget certified system has all case mods that apply to your certification, and verify all branding has been applied to the case.

• Make sure all accessories are present

  Many of your components come with accessories, manuals, CD, or adapters. We make sure they're all present.

• Double check partitioning and/or multiple OS instructions.

  We review any provided instructions regarding partitioning and multiple OS installs, to make sure the machine is set up per your instructions.

• Check user / computer names

  We will make sure the username and computer name are both correct. By default, the username will be the customer's first name, and the computer name will be "Puget" followed by your the order number.

• Record wattage draw under idle and load

  We record the wattage draw of your system under idle and load, and check that against your power supply to make sure it is appropriate.

• Run machine load test, and investigate for hot spots

  Not all hot spots have temperature sensors. We run your computer under full load, and use a thermal probe to make sure there are no hot spots that aren't logged.

• Take idle/load thermal images (if applicable)

  We use our thermal camera to take pictures of the system at idle and under load to check for any unexpected hotspots.

• Test any ports not tested during production

  Any ports that are not already tested in the course of the build or installation of your machine are tested at this step.

• Test as thoroughly as possible any special cards (if applicable)

  Some non-standard or special order cards do not have standard tests during our install process. Those cards are manually tested.

• Verify functionality of notebook-specific features (if applicable).

  We test all of the integrated peripherals on your notebook to ensure their functionality.

• Test secondary video outputs

  We verify that all video outputs are functioning correctly. If your machine has SLI, we specifically have to take it out of SLI to test the output ports on the secondary video card.

• Verify high quality sound output

  We double check your audio output for clarity, stereo panning, 5.1 surround sound panning, and volume. We test both analog and digital output.

• Verify functionality of alternate networking adapters (if applicable)

  Since our install process only uses one network adapter, we now test all other adapters (some computers have two LAN ports), including KillerNIC cards and wireless.

• Check for any recent known issues

  We keep detailed logs of failure rates of all our components. Anything with recent known issues is carefully checked to make sure the issue is not present.

• Verify standby functionality

  We check for standby functionality one more time -- as we have found it to be quite problematic with certain configurations.

• Verify proper post and boot-up with USB device attached

  Some computers do not boot up properly when there is a USB device (ie, a USB thumb drive) attached. We make sure this is not an issue.

• Review temperature logs for proper levels

  We review the temperature logs taken during your system benchmarking, and identify anything unusual.

• Compare benchmarks to expected results

  To make sure your computer performs as expected, we check your benchmarks against those of similar machines.

• Review the windows event log

  We review the windows event log for any errors we do not expect (some errors are normal, specifically before all drivers are installed).

• Verify all updates are applied

  We make sure OS updates and anti-virus show all current updates installed.

• Verify proper responsiveness from the OS

  We verify proper responsiveness from the OS (start menu, control panel, application loading).

• Verify proper laptop battery drain rate (if applicable)

  We make sure your laptop battery is performing as expected.

• Verify proper out of box experience

  We reboot your computer one last time and make sure your first experience is as we would like it.

• Record approximate bootup time

  As the machine reboots, we record the boot time, so we have a number to compare to later if you have any problems.

• Record any additional testing performed (if applicable)

  If we performed any other tests, we record them for our benefit and yours.

• Defragment all platter drives

  We defragment all traditional/platter hard drives. Defrag is not run on solid-state disks.

• Clean up installation

  We perform one final clean-up of your installation, so Windows is clean and ready to use!

• Cap secondary video outputs (if applicable)

  If your system is configured with a discrete video card, we cover the onboard video ports to prevent mistakenly connecting to these secondary outputs.

Packing / Shipping

• Create Restore media (if applicable)

  We include System Restore media with all Windows machines.

• Take BIOS screenshots (if applicable)

  We take screenshots of each page of the BIOS settings. Does not apply to laptops.

• Affix COA to chassis (if applicable)

  Your Windows COA is attached to your case.

• Take pictures of the system

  We take pictures of each system before we ship.

• Verify power cord is present

  We double check to make sure you have a power cord!

• Include invoice and packet

  A full packet of information, including registration information, contact information, and benchmark information is printed. Also, an invoice and business card packet is included.

• Verify Tools disk is included with system

  We include a Tools disk to assist in the diagnosis of any problem the system may have in the future

• Clean any smudges from the chassis

  Since the computer has been handled, we ensure it is clean as a last step before boxing it up.

• Check that all peripherals are present

  We double check that all peripherals are included with your system

• Check latest shipping/Internal notes

  We look at all notes put on the order by your sales rep, and make sure the machine is built and shipped with your requirements in mind. This might mean adjusting shipping methods at the last minute as requested by your sales represenitive.

• Create shipping tag and attach to box

  Your order number is placed into our shipping system, and a tag is generated and placed on your boxes to prevent the possibility of mixup before your boxes receive a shipping label.

• Include a packing slip (if applicable)

  A packing slip is added to the outside of boxes on all requested and purchase orders.

• Install Instapak (if applicable)

  If we are concerned about the possibility of shipping damage, we will install special foam packing inside the case to help hold the components in place.