Retail or OEM cpu

[hojl]

what's the difference other then the warrinty?

 

[Losty]

ummm...retail includes a stock hsf

 

[pillage2001]

OEM CPU tends to have 30 days or 15 days warranty.

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Like Losty said, retail includes a stock HSF. As far as hardware quality of the processors themselves, retail and OEM are identical.

 

[WishMaster]

and Retail Comes with a Sticker!

 

[SimonSays]

as far as overclockin they are about the same.
but I think retail sometimes are built better depending on the manufacturer/factory location

 

[subhuman]

I dunno, I've had REALLY BAD LUCK with OEM cpus. 4 out of 4 OEM-Celeron366's wouldn't hit 550. 4 out of 6 Retail Celeron366's did 550 at stock voltage. I know this isn't enough for numerical scientific proof, but it is enough for me to go retail.

FWIW - 5 out of 5 retail 700E's hit 933mhz. Only one of them would not go over 1000mhz. I say retail all the way for maximum overclockability, an extra fan to put on your chipset, and a 3 year warranty.

 

[Dan]

I always go OEM for CPU's. And although I tend to use far more AMD chips than Intel my preference holds for both. I just can't see paying a premium for a "stock" heatsink and fan when there are so many superior alternatives. And, for me at least, longer warranties are moot; I upgrade chips too quickly.

 

[dalokster]

All my CPU are OEM and they all have been very reliable. I have heard in the past that OEM CPU from Intel are seconds, that is why they only carry the one year warranty, but hell I haven't have any probs. Oh yeah the HSF too.

 

[bluesky]

What brand of hsf is coming with Tbird retail version? Is it taisol?
What's the street price of the same hsf?
Thanks.

 

[Taz4158]

Only OEM here. Like to add my own heatsink/fan.

 

[Imported]

OEMs don't carry much of a warranty. I know Mwave had a 1 year warranty on my OEM CPU though.

 

[Subversal]

Doesn't adding an approved Amd/Intel HSF add a year warranty to most OEM cpu's?

 

[Linh]

i always go with oem also. the price difference is too much for me to try retail

 

[Moving Target]

My OEM Cel566 hit 850 @ stock Voltage and is rock solid stable, the retail 566 I got would only hit 850 @ 1.90V and still was not stable.

OEM PIII600 hit 800 @ stock voltage
OEM Cel366 hit 550 @ stock voltage

I'm 0-1 Retail and 3-3 OEM

 

[Kelv]

Yeah, think it's mainly luck that separates the overclockability of OEM and retail chips.
So if u're planning to o/c probably best to go for OEM since u're not paying for the crap intel hsf and can get ur kick arse hsf with a total cost less than the retail cpus.

 

[BadBrad]

The difference for AMD products is:
Retail = 3 year AMD warranty
OEM = No AMD warranty (only what retailer will give you - usu. 15-60 days)

 

[htown]

Umm, one costs more so ya must get a warranty and a fan out of the extra cost. Post your pc stats for some speed.