Retail or OEM?

[Maldoror]

I'm looking to buy a new processor and was wondering mainly about the fan/heatsink that comes with the retail boxes. Are they worth the extra money or should I go with an OEM cpu and buy a third party fan? (no overclocking)
Thanks

 

[Blain]

Intel or AMD?

 

[Maldoror]

Most likely AMD, the XP 2500 Barton looks like a good price/performance ratio. I'll be getting an nforce 2 motherboard, probably the FIC AU11. I've had two FIC mobos so far and have been nothing but pleased. (although extremely displeased with the drivers from Via)

 

[Wind]

If u r not O/Cing...just stick to the stock HSF & keep ur 3 yrs warranty. Those stock cooler is AMD certified...so no worries.

 

[TAL0N]

Depends on the price difference, for example the XP2100+ retail is only ~$10 well worth it in my mind considering it gives a 3yr warranty oppossed to whatever the OEM vendor warranty is (30-90 days). The retail HSF is adequate if not overclocking, but I'd still recommend installing a better HSF since that should lower temperatures and increase stability/longevity, and gives you some headroom in case you do decide to clock it a little in the future.

 

[maxSe]

Originally posted by: TAL0N
Depends on the price difference, for example the XP2100+ retail is only ~$10 well worth it in my mind considering it gives a 3yr warranty oppossed to whatever the OEM vendor warranty is (30-90 days). The retail HSF is adequate if not overclocking, but I'd still recommend installing a better HSF since that should lower temperatures and increase stability/longevity, and gives you some headroom in case you do decide to clock it a little in the future.

 

[Sushi]

If you're not Overclocking at all, the retail HSF should work fine...

I'm with everybody else on the 3 year warranty too...

 

[bubuking]

Isn't that true when you are doing rma with amd, they will ask for your receipt for it ?
so if i buy it from ppl from here, they wont cover your warranty anyway.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: bubuking
Isn't that true when you are doing rma with amd, they will ask for your receipt for it ?
so if i buy it from ppl from here, they wont cover your warranty anyway.

Intel never did!!!!

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: bubuking
Isn't that true when you are doing rma with amd, they will ask for your receipt for it ?
so if i buy it from ppl from here, they wont cover your warranty anyway.

No they ask for the # on the Retail HS/Fan