Whats the difference?

[imported_Xtreme]

I was looking for places to buy the X850 XT and I came across a bunch of OEM video cards. Are OEM video cards just as safe as ordering retail boxed video cards? Are they worth buying? I was searching for retail and I found one that was "bulk packed." What is this?

 

[Tweaks R Us]

oem just means that the card doesnt come in the original package that the retail will come with so it will be cheaper. it depends what your buying. if its expensive you might as well just go for the retail. but if your buying cd roms floppy's and such oem is just fine. if your buying a 500 dollar video card or an a64 4000+ or fx-55 some where along thos lines probably get retail as its not much more than oem and your paying alot anyway whats an extra 20 bucks going to do to an already 700+ dollar cpu heh.

 

[zakee00]

if you get a card OEM, you dont get the retail box or anything. JUST the card. no software, adapters, etc. its good if you dont care about that stuff because it allows them to sell the card cheaper than the retail version.
HTH
Nick

 

[dev0lution]

Also might not include tech support... with OEM they assume that you don't need drivers, accessories and support because they're designed for system builders who're supposed to know what they're doing. It varies by manufacturer and by the retailer, so do some research if you're not comfortable with not getting everything that might be in the retail box.

And bulk pack is usually multiples of the same item so the price should give you a clue.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

I found a retail X850 XT from some site named "xtreme gear." It only had a 60% positive rating so it sounds kind of iffy. Should I go ahead and buy it? If not, what site could I buy an X850 XT retail from?