Official Athlon 64 X2 preorder/instock thread...

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: zetto

Originally posted by: TankGuys
.... As for your other components, if you don't see them on the site, just PM me with some model numbers and see what I can put together for you.

How about DFI NF4 Ultra-D SLI-DR?

Wouldn't that be nice? Actually, we don't carry DFI at the moment. I've been working to secure some more suppliers of late, so we're hoping to expand. DFI is on our wish list, as well as OCZ memory. I'd also like to start listing some Buffalo networking equipment.

 

[sallgood]

TankGuys... it's pretty late in the day and you probably know by know whether or not you are getting them today. Email me and let me know and I'll pick one up today.

Thanks!

 

[chinkgai]

i was totally gona buy the 4800+ from monarch and make off like a bandit since its only 999!! but...those bastards want a hefty $5.90 for shipping for a damn thousand dollar processor when they offer free shipping on practically everything else, so im taking my money elsewhere! hmph.

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: chinkgai
i was totally gona buy the 4800+ from monarch and make off like a bandit since its only 999!! but...those bastards want a hefty $5.90 for shipping for a damn thousand dollar processor when they offer free shipping on practically everything else, so im taking my money elsewhere! hmph.

I wouldn't sweat them the $5.90 for shipping. Considering the price they are asking for thier OEM chips, they are probobaly selling them darn near at or below cost, charging a few dollars for shipping doesn't seem unreasonable.

 

[DLMyth]

My main question is what's the difference between the OEM & the Retail version other than warrenty & packaging? Are the OEM parts made of a lesser quality (farther away from the die?) than the retail version? Do OEM chips tend to be below spec performing chips? I want to build my new computer no later than the end of this month. I do want to make sure the chip wont die on me after a week or two if I get an OEM version. Tankguys since you're quick at replying can you tell me the difference and in your opinion which one you would get.

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: DLMyth
My main question is what's the difference between the OEM & the Retail version other than warrenty & packaging? Are the OEM parts made of a lesser quality (farther away from the die?) than the retail version? Do OEM chips tend to be below spec performing chips? I want to build my new computer no later than the end of this month. I do want to make sure the chip wont die on me after a week or two if I get an OEM version. Tankguys since you're quick at replying can you tell me the difference and in your opinion which one you would get.

The retail version has the 3 year warranty, as well as a heat sink and fan.

The warranty is really nice, and the combined cooling solution makes it hassle free.

On the other hand, you can honestly buy nicer cooling systems that will work with your OEM chip. So ultimately it depends on your own preference.

Most people, I find, buy the retail version for the extra warranty, then end up buying a new heatink and fan to replace the stock one.

 

[colincsl]

As far as I know there is no difference between an oem and a retail quality wise

 

[chinkgai]

Originally posted by: TankGuys

Originally posted by: chinkgai
i was totally gona buy the 4800+ from monarch and make off like a bandit since its only 999!! but...those bastards want a hefty $5.90 for shipping for a damn thousand dollar processor when they offer free shipping on practically everything else, so im taking my money elsewhere! hmph.

I wouldn't sweat them the $5.90 for shipping. Considering the price they are asking for thier OEM chips, they are probobaly selling them darn near at or below cost, charging a few dollars for shipping doesn't seem unreasonable.

i was being sarcastic at the whole 1k for a chip thing and how they are trying to get another six bucks when they usually do free shipping

anyways even if its a good deal relative to other deals available its still ridiculous..to me

@DLMyth - there is no difference in oem vs retail other than warranty, hsf, and packaging

 

[DLMyth]

K, thanks for the info. I'm going to go vaporchill on my chip so I have no need for the fan. Guess I'll go with the OEM 4800+ from Monarch & pay the extra $15 for the warranty. This is the only piece I'm missing right now to start building my pc...*sigh*.

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: DLMyth
K, thanks for the info. I'm going to go vaporchill on my chip so I have no need for the fan.

Okay. In that case, OEM is probobly the best choice for you. Depending on what speed you want, Monarch has the lower prices on the 4600+ and the 4800+, we have lower on the 4200+ and 4400+. In any case, you might be better off going with Monarch, because I'm not sure when I am going to get my OEM's in stock, whereas I think Monarch might already be shipping thiers to customers.

 

[Concillian]

Preorders at Tigerdirect:
OEM
4200+ @ $521
4400+ @ $546
4600+ @ $756
4800+ @ $946


Retail
4200+ @ $558
4400+ @ $604
4600+ @ $825
4800+ @ $1036

That's an EXPENSIVE heatsink/fan they put on the 4800+

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: Concillian
Preorders at Tigerdirect:
OEM
4200+ @ $521
4400+ @ $546
4600+ @ $756
4800+ @ $946


Retail
4200+ @ $558
4400+ @ $604
4600+ @ $825
4800+ @ $1036

That's an EXPENSIVE heatsink/fan they put on the 4800+

Yea well, there's the warranty bit too

Wow, they kill us on price for the OEM version, yet we are better on the retail boxed versions. Interesting.

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: TankGuys

Originally posted by: Concillian
That's an EXPENSIVE heatsink/fan they put on the 4800+

Yea well, there's the warranty bit too

Of course, but it's just interesting to see the gap between OEM and retail widen so drastically as the speeds increase. I don't think there is a technical foundation in that, I think it's just marketing.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: TankGuys
Wow, they kill us on price for the OEM version, yet we are better on the retail boxed versions. Interesting.

Judging from this thread at least, you kill them on service...

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan

Originally posted by: TankGuys
Wow, they kill us on price for the OEM version, yet we are better on the retail boxed versions. Interesting.

Judging from this thread at least, you kill them on service...

Based on what I've heard about TigerDirect service, I think a team of monkeys could kill them on service.

Not saying that TankGuys is a team of monkeys of course , but search around about Tiger Direct, they don't exactly have the best rep in the business.

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan

Originally posted by: TankGuys
Wow, they kill us on price for the OEM version, yet we are better on the retail boxed versions. Interesting.

Judging from this thread at least, you kill them on service...

Well thanks, that is the goal

We have some little tricks we use to keep our service quality as high as possible. We're certainly not perfect, but we do the best we can. I think that especially with computer parts, if your customers are going to spend that kind of money on a purchase, you ought to make it as easy and painless for them as possible.

 

[noctdeus]

Here's a link to X2 motherboard compatibilty directly from AMD's web site for those who are interested:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1609644&enterthread=y

 

[Nanobaud]

Originally posted by: TankGuys

Originally posted by: DLMyth
My main question is what's the difference between the OEM & the Retail version other than warrenty & packaging? Are the OEM parts made of a lesser quality (farther away from the die?) than the retail version? Do OEM chips tend to be below spec performing chips? I want to build my new computer no later than the end of this month. I do want to make sure the chip wont die on me after a week or two if I get an OEM version. Tankguys since you're quick at replying can you tell me the difference and in your opinion which one you would get.

The retail version has the 3 year warranty, as well as a heat sink and fan.

The warranty is really nice, and the combined cooling solution makes it hassle free.

On the other hand, you can honestly buy nicer cooling systems that will work with your OEM chip. So ultimately it depends on your own preference.

Most people, I find, buy the retail version for the extra warranty, then end up buying a new heatink and fan to replace the stock one.

But if I read the warranty on my retail AMD CPU, It says I must use the supplied HSF for the warranty to apply, so technically, if your going to use a different HSF (even a 'better' one), isn't the 1-year OEM warranty better?

nBd

 

[imported_Starman]

Yes, if you know you're not going to use the stock cooling then you might as well get the OEM chip and the shorter warranty (at least it won't be voided).

 

[bersl2]

Woo! I just found an extra $200 in my checking account (I can't add---too much calculus). Maybe an X2 will happen for me sooner than I think.

 

[biostud]

I wonder who would actually buy the 4200+ instead of the 4400+, when already spending that kind of money.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: biostud
I wonder who would actually buy the 4200+ instead of the 4400+, when already spending that kind of money.

The price difference is so small that a 4400+ would appear to be a better choice. The only thing that I think is, does one overclock better than the other? Does size of L2 cache matter when it comes to oc'ng?

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: biostud
I wonder who would actually buy the 4200+ instead of the 4400+, when already spending that kind of money.

We have had 1 order, out of all our pre-orders, for the 4200+. I just e-mailed that customer actually, to let them know the extra $40 is well worth it.

I'd agree completely that the 4200+ just is not as compelling of a value as the 4400+.

 

[noctdeus]

I think people will buy the 4200+ not realizing that the next step up, the 4400+, has double the L2 cache memory, and for just a tiny little bit more cash. The 4400+ is definitely the best performance/price ratio of the bunch. Buying the 4600+ and/or 4800+ is just insane since the speed increase is no where near worth the few hundred dollars more you'll spend. In my mind the ONLY one that makes sense is the 4400+.

The extra L2 cache (1MB 4200+ vs. 2MB 4400+) will probably help out most when applications start popping up that actively use both processors, and also with 64-bit apps. L2 cache is usually expensive, so I'm a bit confused at AMD's pricing structure, it doesn't make any sense to me. The 4400 is the winner for now though.

 

[jdogg707]

Ordered 4400+ rom Monarch, along with 2GB of the Platinum OCZ memory to overclock with. I would have ordered from Tank Guys, but they don't accept Amex, and I really wanted to get some points out of the deal!

BTW, Are these still on target for the 16th Joe?