The exact meanning of OEM CPU

[Kintoke]

I'll buy an ATHLON CPU, and I don't know the exact diference between an OEM and a BOX processor. The people at the store told me that the only difference between them is the kind of warranty. So is it the only diference between them? is there any technicals diferences between them?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Jex]

OEM processors are supposed to be sold as part of a system, but vendors sell them separately. They usually don't come with much or any manufacturer warranty and may have some vendor warranty. No box.

Retail box processors come with the full manufacturer warranty, and nice box and usually a HSF.

But technically speaking, the Retail Box and OEM processors are the same thing.

 

[Peridium]

For CPUs, there are no technical differences between OEM and retail parts. It's just that AMD packages up the CPUs with a heatsink and a box and sells it for a little bit more. You also get a nice AMD Athlon sticker with retail processors.

OEM parts are usually sold to large companies that assemble systems, so that's why the warranties are different. There would be a warranty to cover the entire system. When you buy retail, AMD gives you a 3 year warranty on the CPU itself.

 

[birddog]

O Origional
E Equipment
M Manufacturer

OEM parts are made primarily for the large package computer companies (gateway, dell, etc..)who buy from the manufacturer in bulk. They have no need for the retail package since the end consumer will never see it. As far as the HS/Fans, they generally have a seperate bulk contract for those also. They get special prices & RMA deals since they work with such quanities, so the retail warrenty is not neede by them also. Some large wholesalers & computer stores also will get OEM parts. The physical item is identical (Intel prints a different code by the serial # for OEM chips, not sure about AMD) to the retail versions, less the retail package.

One work of warning on some places that sell OEM chips. Some places will see how well each chip (or batch of chips) overclocks & set those aside. If you are an overclocker, you may be getting a chip that will not be a good overclocker. Where as a retail chip will be sealed. Not all places do this. I have an OEM PIII 700 that does 980 easily.