Introduction:
If you are an Australian PC gamer, custom builder, or performance hardware junkie, then you likely have heard of PC Case Gear AU (also known as PCCG). For over 20 years PCCG has been a more trusted name in Australian PC hardware. It does not matter if you want a gaming PC, the best graphics card, a liquid cool hardware, or cheap peripherals, PC Case Gear is like a Walmart for your computer parts.
But is PCCG the best place to buy PC parts in Australia? This article will cover all there is to know about PC Case Gear AU from its history, services to its customer experiences, pricing and competitors, and genuine user reviews.
You will have the information to know if PCCG is the best place to purchase for your next PC upgrade or building a complete gaming rig.
What is PC Case Gear AU?
PC Case Gear (PCCG) is an online retail company from Melbourne that has been in business since 2000. Since then, PC Case Gear has grown to be one of Australia’s largest retailers of PC hardware. Unlike international online stores such as Newegg or Amazon, PC Case Gear focuses on the local Australian market. This means faster shipping speeds, protection under Australian Consumer Law, and easier returns.
Their website pccasegear.com provides the following:
- Easy to navigate and has clear categories (PC Cases, Graphics Cards, Storage, Peripherals, Cooling, etc.)
- Exclusive brands plus hard-to-find PC parts
- Both a PC gamer and professional creators’ paradise.
Product Range: What Can You Buy at PC Case Gear AU?
A significant factor in PCCG’s dominance in the market is the vast amount of options they have available. Here are the categories that PCCG carries:
1. PC Cases:
As the title states, PCCG originally catered toward PC cases. They carry a huge selection of cases from mini-ITX cases to full-tower setups, and they carry brands including NZXT, Lian Li, Corsair, Fractal Design, and Cooler Master.
2. Graphics Cards (GPUs):
PCCG is most likely the best online computer hardware store in Australia, largely because it generally has an abundance of NVIDIA GeForce RTX and AMD Radeon cards in stock. Many Australians are looking to buy a GPU and due to the shortage, PCCG was their first option, even if it meant paying a little more.
3. Processors (CPUs):
PCCG stock the latest Intel 3rd gen i9 & i7, and AMD/Athlon 8 systems, as they keep up with the varied launches of CPUs and related technologies.
4. Motherboards:
There is a huge selection of ATX, Micro-ATX and ITX motherboards from the main manufacturers like Asus, MSI, ASRock and Gigabyte.
5. Storage:
- NVMe SSDs.
- SATA SSDs.
- Mechanical HDDs.
- External Drives.
6. Cooling Solutions:
PC Case Gear is particularly sought after by enthusiast builders for its extensive array of air coolers, AIO liquid coolers, and custom water cooling kits.
7. Peripherals:
Other products include:
- Gaming monitors.
- Mechanical keyboards.
- Gaming mice.
- Headsets.
- Streaming equipment.
8. Pre-Built & Custom PCs:
If you’d rather not DIY, PCCG also sell pre-built gaming PCs, and non-urgent build requests can be assembled on the same-day as long as stock is readily available.
PC Case Gear Services
PCCG is more than a parts store; they offer services that simplify PC building.
1. Same-Day Assembly:
- Order your parts in the morning and receive all the assembly and testing you’d need, with parts shipped the same day.
- Includes cable management, stress testing, and operating system installation.
2. Warranty & Support:
- Warranty by manufacturers across all parts.
- 2-year labour warranty on system build.
- Return to base coverage for hardware failure.
3. Payment Flexibility:
PCCG takes:
- Credit Card.
- PayPal.
- ZipPay / ZipMoney.
- Klarna.
4. Promotions & Discounts:
- Yearly EOFY (End of Financial Year) sales.
- Black Friday sales.
- We’ve had coupon codes through affiliates partners.
Why Australians Love PC Case Gear AU?
A lot of Aussie PC builders rave about PCCG. Here are the main reasons:
- Large stock: many rare parts are only available at PCCG.
- Reputable company: has been in the Australian marketplace for over 20 years.
- Australia stock: no waiting for international shipping.
- Warranty complaint: all sales comply with Australian Consumer Law.
- Customer experience: quick shipping (when in stock), and quick response to communications.
- Extra perks: there are often some interesting stuff in unique packages i.e. Haribo gummies.
Downsides & Criticisms of PCCG
No retailer is without faults, and PCCG gets its share of complaints.
1. Price Premium:
In addition, PCCG isn’t always the cheapest. Their competitors, Scorptec, Umart, and Mwave, sometimes have better prices and sometimes better prices when even factoring in shipping.
2. Warranty Delays:
Some users have complained about very long RMA( return merchandise authorization) processes with many claiming replacements taking weeks or months.
3. Shipping Issues:
Some orders take longer to process during peak times (like GPU launches).
4. Mixed Customer Support Experiences:
While most customers compliment PCCG’s support, some note that responses can be slow or generic when dealing with defective products.
PC Case Gear AU Reviews: What Real Customers Say
To give you a balanced view, here’s what the community says across Reddit and Whirlpool forums:
- Positive: “Never had any issues with PCCG, always reliable, stock arrives on time.”
“They replaced my failed SSD within days, very smooth experience.” - Negative: “Warranty claim took over three months for a faulty motherboard. Communication was poor.”
“Prices are a bit higher than other stores, but sometimes worth it for convenience.”
PCCG vs Competitors: How Does It Compare?
When comparing prices for PC parts in Australia, you’ll notice that there are also competitors:
- Scorptec has a good customer service reputation with a similar product range.
- Umart often has cheaper prices, but may take longer when it comes to shipping.
- Mwave has some good deals, however a mixed bag for reviews when it comes to returning items.
- PLE Computers is worthwhile for WA/VIC customers as they have stock expansion and product range.
Concluding comments: PCCG is not the cheapest most of the time, but where it excels is customer access, user experience on their website and customer access to making their own custom PCs.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy from PC Case Gear AU?
PC Case Gear AU is still one of the best places to go shopping for PC builds and gamers in Australia if needed. With their huge catalogue, good services, and well-established reputation, it is normally a solid option for most buyers.
If you are looking for the cheapest possibility, you may want to consider looking at some competitors, like Umart, Scorptec, or PLE.
