Warranty

 

Limited Warranty

This Limited Warranty applies to all Critical Error Computing (CEC) PC gaming systems sold on or after November 19, 2025, and may be updated from time to time by CEC.

Buying a CEC system after that date means you agree to the version of this warranty that is posted here on the day you purchase.

This warranty is written in plain language. It does not remove or reduce any rights you have under your local consumer laws. If your local law gives you more protection, that law controls.

Quick Summary

  • 10-Year Coverage (Core Computer): All new CEC computer systems include a 10-year hardware and labor warranty for the original purchaser on the Core Computer.
  • What “Core Computer” Means: Everything inside the PC case that CEC supplied (CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, PSU, cooling, case, and internal wiring), excluding:
    • Any special-order parts you specifically requested that are outside our normal catalog. Those are covered only by the original manufacturer’s warranty, if any.
  • Peripherals & Extras: Peripherals such as monitors, keyboards, mice, headsets, and other external devices are not part of the Core Computer and are covered by CEC for 1 year from purchase, unless stated otherwise on the product page.
  • Refurbished / Certified Recertified Systems: Certified refurbished / recertified CEC systems include a 1-year hardware and labor warranty on the Core Computer.
  • Shipping to CEC (Your Responsibility): When you ship a system to us, we strongly recommend having it professionally packed (for example, by the shipping carrier) and fully insuring the shipment, so that any damage that occurs in transit is handled through the carrier’s insurance.
  • Shipping from CEC (Our Shipping Protection): Every PC we ship out is fully insured at or above the purchase value and documented with testing results and multi-angle photos before it leaves our facility. If damage occurs in transit to you, this documentation helps make the insurance claim process smoother for you.
  • What We Do If Something Breaks: If a covered hardware part fails under normal use, we will repair or replace it (or your system) with an equivalent model, at our discretion, using new or refurbished parts.
  • Who Is Covered: This warranty applies only to the original purchaser and is not transferable, except where your local law requires otherwise.

1. Warranty Periods

1.1 New CEC Systems – Core Computer

For new CEC systems, the Core Computer is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for 10 years from the original purchase date.

During this 10-year period:

  • CEC will provide labor at no cost to you for covered repairs.
  • CEC will provide replacement parts at no cost for covered hardware failures of Core Computer components, using new or refurbished parts of equivalent performance and quality.
  • If a part is no longer available, CEC may, at its discretion:
    • Replace it with a different part of similar performance, or
    • Replace the entire system with a CEC system of similar function and capacity.

1.2 Peripherals

Peripherals (for example: monitors, speakers, keyboards, mice, headsets, and other external devices) that you purchase from CEC are covered by CEC for 1 year from the date of purchase, unless the product page clearly states a different period.

They may also have additional warranties from their own manufacturers.

1.3 Certified Refurbished / Recertified CEC Systems

Certified refurbished / recertified CEC systems include:

  • 1-year warranty on the Core Computer (parts and labor), starting from the date you purchase the refurbished system.

Peripherals sold with refurbished systems follow the Peripherals rules above.

1.4 Replacement Systems or Parts

Any CEC system or part that we replace under this warranty is covered for:

  • The remainder of your original warranty period, or
  • 30 days from the date you receive the replacement,

whichever is longer, unless your local law requires a different minimum.

2. What This Warranty Covers

This warranty covers hardware failures of the Core Computer that:

  • Happen during normal, intended use, and
  • Are due to defects in materials or workmanship.

Examples of issues that are typically covered:

  • A GPU that fails under normal gaming or workstation use.
  • A power supply that fails under normal loads.
  • A motherboard that stops functioning without physical or liquid damage.
  • Fans, pumps, or other cooling components that fail under normal operating conditions within the warranty period.

CEC may, at its discretion, use:

  • New parts, or
  • Refurbished parts that are tested and of equivalent performance.

3. What This Warranty Does Not Cover

Repairs are considered ineligible for warranty service if:

  • The system is no longer covered by the CEC warranty or applicable consumer law.
  • The issue is caused by accidental damage or misuse.
  • The issue is caused by unauthorized modification or unauthorized repair.
  • The issue is caused only by third-party software, operating systems, drivers, or settings.
  • The issue is something CEC cannot reasonably diagnose or address.

More specifically, this warranty does not cover problems or damage caused by, including but not limited to:

  • Normal wear and tear (for example, small scratches, discoloration, normal fan noise over time).
  • Any physical damage, such as drops, impacts, cracked glass or panels, liquid spills, or damage from improper transport or unpacking.
  • Extreme environments, such as corrosion, pests, or contaminants.
  • Any modification or repair done by anyone other than CEC or an authorized CEC partner, including custom rewiring, case cutting, or non-approved water-cooling changes.
  • Removal, alteration, or damage of serial number labels or regulatory labels.
  • Improper operation, including:
    • Use that does not follow the instructions in our documentation.
    • Overvolting or unsafe overclocking outside of profiles recommended by CEC.
  • Improper power:
    • Connecting to an incorrect voltage,
    • Known bad wall power, or
    • Use without reasonably appropriate surge protection in high-risk scenarios.
  • Any other cause not related to a defect in CEC-supplied materials or craftsmanship.

Counterfeit or Tampered Products

This warranty does not cover counterfeit or tampered products. A product is considered counterfeit or tampered if, in CEC’s reasonable judgment, it was not manufactured by CEC or an authorized CEC manufacturing partner, or its identity/serials have been altered.

Counterfeit or tampered products will not be returned and may be reported for investigation to the appropriate parties.

4. Shipping, Packaging, and Fees

4.1 Shipping Your System to CEC

To use this warranty, you may be required to ship your system or part to a CEC-specified location.

Unless required otherwise by local law, you are generally responsible for shipping and handling, as well as any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes, or other fees on inbound shipments to CEC.

To protect your system in transit and make any carrier claims easier:

  • We strongly recommend using a professional third-party packing service, ideally through the shipping carrier (for example, carrier “pack and ship” services).
  • We strongly recommend that you fully insure the shipment for at least the system’s purchase value.

Damage that occurs while the system is in transit from you to CEC is typically handled through the carrier’s insurance. If you choose not to use professional packing or insurance, you accept the risk of additional damage in transit.

CEC may:

  • Provide CEC-approved packaging for a fee, as listed at the time of your RMA.
  • Refuse coverage for shipping damage if non-approved packaging is used or if packaging instructions are not followed.

If we receive your product:

  • Without a valid Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number, or
  • At an unauthorized address,

we may refuse the package or return it at your expense.

If no covered defect is found:

  • CEC may charge a testing/diagnostic fee, and
  • Require payment of shipping and any outstanding fees before returning the product.

If those fees are not paid within 15 days of us contacting you, CEC may recycle or dispose of the product with no duty to account to you, as permitted by law.

CEC may also clean or fumigate products that arrive in an unsafe or unsanitary condition. Any related cleaning fees will be communicated and charged.

4.2 Shipping Protection – From CEC to You

Every complete PC that leaves our facility is shipped with shipping protection that is separate from the 10-year hardware warranty:

  • Systems are insured at or above the purchase value for the outbound shipment from CEC to you.
  • Before shipping, we:
    • Fully test your system,
    • Capture photos from multiple angles, and
    • Record relevant build and testing details.

If your system arrives with visible shipping damage, contact us promptly with photos of:

  • The shipping box and packing materials, and
  • The damage to the system.

Because we keep thorough pre-shipment documentation, we can help support and streamline the insurance claim process with the shipping carrier on your behalf.

Once a claim is approved (or as otherwise arranged with you), CEC will work with you to:

  • Repair the unit,
  • Replace it with an equivalent system, or
  • Find another reasonable solution, at CEC’s discretion and subject to the carrier’s claim outcome and applicable law.

This outbound shipping protection is intended to reduce stress and make things smoother if damage occurs between our facility and your delivery address.

5. Data, Software, and Privacy

As part of the warranty process, CEC may need to reset your system to factory settings.

You are responsible for backing up all data before sending your system in. CEC is not responsible for data loss.

CEC is not responsible for:

  • Any loss of data or software,
  • Re-installation of your personal programs, or
  • Reconfiguration of your system beyond standard factory configuration.

By sending your system to CEC, you confirm that:

  • You have removed any illegal content or software.
  • You have not stored confidential third-party data on the system, or you are authorized to send it for service.

If you have installed extra SSDs, RAM, or other internal upgrades after receiving the system:

  • Please remove those upgrades before shipping the system to us, unless our support team specifically instructs you otherwise.
  • CEC is not responsible for returning any non-CEC upgrades that arrive inside the system without prior authorization.

6. How to Make a Claim

6.1 Step 1 – Open a Ticket

All warranty requests start through our customer service system.

Email us at info@cec.direct with:

  • Your full name and contact information.
  • A description of the problem (include any troubleshooting you’ve already tried).
  • Your proof of purchase (sales receipt or invoice).
  • A clear photo of the product serial number label.

Once we receive your ticket, a member of CEC support will reach out (typically by email or phone) to go over the issue and basic troubleshooting.

6.2 Step 2 – Get an RMA (If Needed)

If the issue appears to be covered by this warranty and cannot be resolved remotely:

  • We will issue you a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number.
  • You will receive instructions on:
    • Where to send the system, and
    • How to pack it safely.

We may:

  • Offer CEC-approved packaging for a fee.
  • Provide a shipping label (prepaid or otherwise), with cost responsibilities clearly explained.

6.3 Step 3 – Ship Your System

When shipping:

  • Clearly write or display your RMA number on the outside of the package.
  • Include a copy of your RMA confirmation email inside the box.
  • Do not include extra accessories such as cables, adapters, manuals, or retail boxes unless we specifically ask for them. CEC is not responsible for accessories sent without request.

A CEC representative may schedule a quick call to walk you through packaging to minimize shipping damage.

6.4 Step 4 – Evaluation and Resolution

When your system or part arrives at CEC, we will:

  • Scan and record all component serial numbers.
  • Run diagnostics and visual inspections.
  • Check for physical damage, tampering, or non-covered conditions.

If we confirm a covered defect:

  • We will repair your system or replace it (or the affected part) with an equivalent, new or refurbished, at CEC’s discretion.

If no covered defect is found or the system shows signs of non-covered damage:

  • We will notify you of next steps, including any testing fees, repair options, and shipping charges.

7. Obsolete or Discontinued Systems

If you have an obsolete or discontinued CEC system:

  • We will attempt to repair it using compatible parts that are still available.
  • If we cannot repair the system and the exact model is no longer available, we may replace it with a CEC system of similar function and capacity, at our discretion.

If repair or replacement is not practical or suitable, CEC may, at its discretion, offer a reasonable credit toward a new CEC build as a convenience option for you.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent allowed by law:

  • CEC’s liability under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of your system or part, or at most, the original purchase price of the product.
  • CEC is not liable for:
    • Loss of profits or revenue.
    • Loss of data.
    • Business interruption or commercial loss.
    • Any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages.

Nothing in this warranty is intended to exclude or limit any rights or remedies you may have under your local consumer protection laws.

9. Changes to This Warranty

CEC may update this warranty from time to time. Any changes apply only to systems purchased after the updated warranty is posted, unless required otherwise by law.

The version that applies to you is the one that was active on the date you purchased your system from CEC.

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