PC Direct Mishawaka Store

[Shinigami]

PC Direct Computer store opens in Mishawaka.
South Bend Tribune
I am kinda surprised how late it took SBT to annouce the store opening, considering I visited during this past holiday season and purchased something (CD/DVD combo drive) and ATI HD Raedon 5850 video card. I've since decided to write a review. I'd like to mention that opening a computer store in this day and age where newegg.com is king, pricewatch.com dictates the market and tigerdirect is a national contender. You really gotta give credit to PCDirect for it's launch. Let's talk about prices.
I purchased a HD 5850 video card, for $340. one the latest generation of video card's by ATI. Sure $340 bucks is expensive but it was price I exactly expected it to be. I really came looking for an HD 5870 graphics card a $399.99 video card on most online websites, but it wasn't here. Of course expecting lots of video cards to be here is like hoping auto zone carries large expensive car parts in store, its not going to happen.

Now understand, the same video card I could purchase online without taxes, but incur shipping fees and wait a few day, or I could purchase locally and get the part I needed that same day. PC Direct is aggressively priced, and I expect, will pose serious competition to over inflated prices and lousy store inventory of best buy. You'll notice I am making comparisons to geeksquad and best buy versus smaller local computer shops due to the observation of staff and inventory on hand are similar in size.

Folks this a computer store/shop to contend with.

Knowledge of the staff. For those computer geeks like me out there with an attitude. Reserve your own judgement. The sales staff I met weren't the best in computer knowledge.You know, the spec to spec, bleeding edge hardcore computer geeks, but well enough to get the job done. It's better than best buy staff, but if you go there with high expectations (like me) you might be a bit disappointed.

Warranty and service. I can't review it since I wasn't looking for service or warranty, but if you had some recent experience please post here.

Since there is a huge variety of computer parts and an inventory is a dynamic stucture. Only a brief comment about store selection should suffice. I was impressed with the selection of computer cases. Quality computer cases from Antec and CoolerMaster, if your in the market for a computer case, stop by the store and check them out, it's probably the only place in 100 miles where you can really see the part before you buy (online).

Power supplies. I was disappointed, there should have been a better selection. There was the standard cheap lightweight power supply that you should never buy, just because it will fail in a couple years anyways. Available were a couple power supplies under 600 watts and one around 1000 watts, this is coming from my memory so please bear with me. I personally believe there should have been a couple of good 750 and 850 watt power supplies. Which is where most computers today are using. I was quite disappointed in that selection of inventory.

CPU and Memory, folks if you need a new Core i5, Core i7 or any AMD processor you can get it here. Enough Said. Well priced and worth coming to store. If really need another stick of DDR3 memory this probably one the places in town you'll be able to get it the same day.

Cables, Cables to go products are sold here, and personally I believe to be some the best. So if your in the market for another USB cable for that printer, and at decent price. That aisle is good to go in my book.

Prebuilt computers, I can't really say anything about the store pre-built computers, since the customization is unique. I will comment on the Store models which were running Crysis. An impressive feat in its own right, however the floor display Ididn't have had much thought put into it. Sure it was pretty fancy computer, if your into that type of thing great. Mind you, if your spending that much money for a computer, it could have been built with a much better configuration, using the most important factor. Price to Performance Ratio. Building high-end computers require some thought and research, not just slapping expensive parts and calling it a day. If that's your thing Alienware and Cyberpower provide better builds.

Disk drives, well they have em here. Maybe not that x-25 Solid State or Patriot Torqx hard drive that'll cost you a kidney, but if your looking for a new hard drive or optical drive, they got em.

Overall I'd give this store an 8 out 10. Its may not be Fry's Electronics, but it's better than any mom and pop computer shop, Service and warranty will play a part in sustaining this business, but the key is its inventory. It'll make or break a computer company (i.e Dell and Gateway)