OEM CPU's vs Retail

[ArcticFox]

I've heard that you should never purchase OEM cpu's: why?

30 day warranty vs the retail 1 year.

[ragtop]

Nothing wrong with buying OEM - you just have to balance the lower cost of the OEM processor against the longer warantee of the retail box version.

Originally posted by surreal
30 day warranty vs the retail 1 year.

I thought it was 1yr verses 3 year

[ArcticFox]

KK, thanks, I figured it had something to do with support.

[ck42866]

Now, I heard if you're going to go Intel, going retail is better since the cost difference is so minimal, that you'd be stupid not take advantage of the three year warranty plus decent fan that comes with retail. Thats Intel mind you.

[Omardeth]

it is just the warranty that is the difference . i have never got a bad cpu . some say oem are the lower yield cpu's but i don't know if that is true or not .

There is no longer any core differences between OEM and retail processors. Way back in the day, OEM chips were taken from the outermost edges of the silicon wafers produced by lightmask etching, thus people argued that center etched chips (retail) would offer better overclocking return due to improved etching (not quite).

The only differences are warranty periods and the retail heatsink. Vendors selling OEM chips provide the warranty term, often ranging from anywhere around 14 days to a full year. Retail chips are backed by a full manufacturer warranty, often three years.

OEM chips do not have to ship with a cooler, thus this is upto the vendor as well. Some vendors offer improved warranties if you purchase an OEM processor with a heatsink. Again, this is all the vendors' choice.

The retail chip is packaged in a retail box, thus it includes a manufacturer certified heatsink. These coolers are often useless for real overclocking, but are certainly capable of sustaining stock operation. Intel fairs slightly better in this area, as its retail heatsinks are often of good enough quality to sustain a moderate overclock.

Robert Richmond

[iNeb]

I bought to OEM CPUS maining because in 1 year the prices will be cheaper (When warranty runs out), because i don't need the fan, and because my warranty will be void anyways since amd doesn't like themal paste and won't waranty it unless it is a pad

[ck42866]

Hey Rob, I haven't heard that explanation in such a long time. Wow, how that rung a memory. I remember the OEM vs retail questions plaguing every forum I visited way back when and to tell you the truth, there was never one straight answer. But the wafer answer always intrigued me as well as stuck out. And to my knowledge, it was proven wrong also.