What is the Diffrence IN CPU's

[MaXimuScs]

OEM vers RETAIL

After having oem and Retail I found Retail to peform better
same mother board and ram

How ever I was told there was no diffrence

I noticed on a XP 2600 OEM its listed - numbered like this > Model#: AXDA2600DKV3D
I noticed on Retail xp 2600 it is listed - numbered like this > Model#: AXDA2600BOX

It was the same for XP 2000 diffrent modle # numbers

I also noticed the same things on Video cards ect.. model number changes and drivers ?? - updates ect..

being that an ATI 9000 OEM cant be updated and an ATI 9000 Retail can and be clocked

Is there a clear diffrence in the production of OEM and Retail products

The diffrence I found was 3 things
one heat diffrence the Retail ran a bit cooler
second it also was more stable the bench scores were a bit higher

Any one please help

 

[Jeff7181]

I know what you're talking about... and I'd have to say the only difference is that a retail comes with a 3 year warranty, and a piece of crap they call a heatsink.

The reason I say that is because I just got an XP2500 Retail, and it has "normal" stepping that I'm use to with OEM processors... in other words... it isn't labeled "BOX" ... instead it's labeled...

AXDA2500DKV4D 9596378251020
AQUCA 0307XPEW

 

[MaXimuScs]

ANY reason why they lable them diffrent ??

I could see if the numbers were the same except for 1 or 2 but to completely change the Model Number's
like they are made from 2 diffrent production plants ??

If they make several thousands a month they take 1/2 and mark one way

then mark the others diffrently

also there is a color change green - brown on some of the OEM - RETAIL
I go to computer shows alot and do alot of scanning - listening ect..

{ scanning watching to see what others are buying looking over products ect..}

Maybe my OEM CPU was getting ready to dog out ??

It would realy be nice to have some cold hard facts on the matter one can save a bundle or empty his - her wallet

 

[Jeff7181]

The color of the substrate (green or brown) has to do with where the processor was made I believe.

The stepping is just a sticker that can be put on whenever they want, even taken off and a different one put on.

I'm not sure why they label some "BOX" and not others... maybe because OEM are supposed to be distributed to manufacturers who may need to know all the specifics in case they get a bad batch, or in case they have to customize a part of their computer that depends on the processor specs.
Retail are supposed to be sold to people, and they don't really want people messing with them, so they don't give all the info...

That's my best guess