Need some advice on buying a new desktop PC in Toronto

Hi, I really don't know much about computers, and am looking to buy a new desktop PC. Right now I am using a Dell Inspiron 8100 laptop, probably 4 years old now. I am looking for a moderate-level system, mostly for every day school and work stuff, plus some occasional gaming. I've seen ads for MDG all over, but from reading stuff on this forum and elsewhere, apparently I should avoid them like the plague. Here's my question.... Anyone know of a fair, trustworthy, reputable, reasonably priced place in downtown T.O that will put together a decent quality machine for me??? Thanks for helping out a noob

your research regarding mdg has served you well, heed the warnings. everything you hear is true. depending on how much your budget allows, just scour the boards here. there are numerous systems for sale i have looked over in the last couple of days. check the parts that the sellers have included in their systems and check their references if they so have them.

Skunt, thanks for the advice, but I think I'm more comfortable buying something brand new. Basically, I am looking for a store that will give me honest advice and not try to rip me off with cheap parts or upsell me on stuff I obviously don't need. Not necessarily looking for the hottest deal, couple hundred bucks one way or another doesn't matter to me if I can have peace of mind that I'm not getting ripped off and my machine won't explode in a month. Anyone have any experience with Infonec on Dundas near Bay??

I've been to the Infonec in Mississauga and I like them, they're pretty decent.. Never have had a problem with the one RMA I had to do there (A power supply broke down after 6 days) and they replaced it on the spot.. I'd say they are trustworthy

What is the system they quoted you on?

www.cty.ca

best service by a longshot and very good prices. very nice people, fixed my computer (diagnose problem) eventhough i only bought the mobo and cpu from them and it was more than a year, still took time to replace each part to diagnose problem and i didnt even buy the new part from time right away. went back a week later to buy it.

Originally Posted by duckdown

I've been to the Infonec in Mississauga and I like them, they're pretty decent.. Never have had a problem with the one RMA I had to do there (A power supply broke down after 6 days) and they replaced it on the spot.. I'd say they are trustworthy

What is the system they quoted you on?

I agree with duckdown, I've been shopping comp parts at Infonec in Markham for the passed 3 years or Canada Computers at Pacific Mall.

The customer service at Infonec is top-tier. All questions can be answered over the phone before even going there, I even asked them for the stepping codes that they had available and the nice lady read all 5 or so different ones over the phone to me. I had to RMA a motherboard that died and it took a month and a bit...very long wait but it wasn't their fault as they sent it to ABIT in taiwan..and abit took forever.

They always have very good prices and if something is lower by a little they will do their best to beat/match the price. I haven't been to their new location in Markham yet...but I have a feeling it will be very soon as I'm smelling a new overhaul on my pc...a64 x2, +1 more gb ram and a new hdd and video card within the next 6 months.

Also check out these guys for some ok systems.

http://www.canadasys.com/desktop.htm

http://www.exprotech.ca/system.html

http://www.cty.ca/system.htm

http://www.fanspc.ca/system.html

Can vouch for Canadasys formerly in Richmondhill outlet and now in Scarborough for very good service and honest.

I will go for cty.ca

They are in Richmond Hill though.

Small place, not much stock but very honest people.

Why not buying a Dell again ? Desktop this time ...

Originally Posted by ProfessorChaos

I agree with duckdown, I've been shopping comp parts at Infonec in Markham for the passed 3 years... The customer service at Infonec is top-tier... I haven't been to their new location in Markham yet...

Another vote for Infonec here. There have been countless threads/posts about shady business practises about other companies, but not one bad thing has ever been said about Infonec. Nothing but praises. Their new Markham location is nice, and really big inside. It's on Ferrier Street in a white building just northeast of MetroSquare.

Willy, I would buy from Dell again, really happy with my Inspiron, but I find their prices a bit higher than other stores. The money is not that important, but if I can find a reputable store for less I'll take it. Thanks everyone for the advice and recommendations. I walk by Infonec on Dundas almost every day so I went in today.

Duckdown, here is what they proposed....

CPU - Intel P4 530 3G
Motherboard - Asus P5LD2 945P LGA775 DDR2
RAM - OCZ DDR2-533 512 M (2x256) Performance Kit
Optical - NEC 3540A DVDRW 16x
Video - Asus EN6600 TD 6600 256 MB PCI-E x16
Chasis - Antec TX640B TAC Black W/SP 2.0 400 W
KB/MS - MS Basic Black Value Pack Keyboard/mouse PS/2
Audio - Onboard audio 8 channel HD audio (High definition audio)
Speaker - Altec Lansing 120 Speaker System
OS - Win XP Home (OEM)
Monitor - either Viewsonic VA702B 17" LCD or LG L1750S 17" LCD ($6 bucks more)

Total - $1364

I will use this PC mostly for work/school stuff, internet, listen to a lot of music, burning CD's, DVD's. I'm going to scrap the speakers and maybe save a couple bucks, right now I have Cambridge FPS 2000 4.1 which I really like. Games I play are mostly Civ, AOE, Madden, NBA, that kind of stuff, don't think they are the most graphics-demanding games. This system sounds about right to me, and the price is around what I expected to pay. Any recommendations/changes?? Any comments on the monitors? They both looked the same to me in the store lol. Thanks!

Originally Posted by mjl264

Skunt, thanks for the advice, but I think I'm more comfortable buying something brand new. Basically, I am looking for a store that will give me honest advice and not try to rip me off with cheap parts or upsell me on stuff I obviously don't need. Not necessarily looking for the hottest deal, couple hundred bucks one way or another doesn't matter to me if I can have peace of mind that I'm not getting ripped off and my machine won't explode in a month. Anyone have any experience with Infonec on Dundas near Bay??

infonec pretty good. from my own experieance..

if you dont' want to be ripped off, with cheap parts finda buddy that knows computersa and get him to get you a nice system.

usualy I custome build all my computers I am getting the highests grade parts.

Shop around first. While much of their prices are usually competitive, Infonec isn't always the cheapest for some of the items. Once you find the best value system for your money, get them to match/beat it.

Originally Posted by Little Johny

I will go for cty.ca

They are in Richmond Hill though.

Small place, not much stock but very honest people.

great place with great service and honest.

ok, seeing as others are professing their experiences.
personally, and in dealing with infonec (markham) and sunnycomputers (pacific mall) for the last i don't know how many years, i would say they are the ones to deal with. Sunny has no problems taking ANYTHING back, oem or new if it turns defective. a lot of people just look for the good deal and lose sight of what customer service is supposed to be about.
with these 2 stores in mind, customer service is always at the top of list.
my list that it.
why don't you take that system quote, omit the price from it and take it to sunny to see what they say.