AMD 3200, 939, 90 nm

[imported_PanicAttack]

Besides the one having a stock hsf and a longer warranty is there any difference in the CPU themselves. Do the OEMs tend to be of poorer quality?

 

[sonoma1993]

there the same as retail, just you dont get the retail heatsink and retail warranty

 

[AristoV300]

There should be no difference in quality. I usually prefer to get the Retail for the warranty since it is about $5 difference in price.

 

[DoC91383]

I heard OEMS are actually of lesser quality because they come out before the retails or something. I dunno it's all myths or assumtions.

 

[imported_PanicAttack]

Thanks for the quick reply. Let me know where the difference is $5 though. PriceWatch difference is $21. Still not a deal breaker for a longer warranty.

 

[AristoV300]

Sorry that was from past experience in purchasing. I checked on Newegg and it is $20 from OEM and Retail.

 

[Zebo]

Suggest getting retail from Mwave.com. You get a three year warranty, HSF and thier retail price is same as everyone elses OEM price.

Another thing, if you get their mobo combos, like the $191 ASUS A8N which is also cheaper than anyone else, you get some free goodies...sometimes it's a game like farcry..sometimes it's free DVD's..sometimes it's napster.

 

[Mrvile]

I always get OEM on my CPUs because I change almost EVERYTHING that it runs at, whether I run it 2.2ghz @ 1.2v, or 2.65ghz @ 1.6v. As soon as you change one thing the warranty goes plop, and since I'm a cooling freak I don't use the stock heat sink so I'll save myself 20 bucks and get it OEM. My 3500+ OEM Winnie performs beautifully, so don't be afraid of getting it OEM.

 

[Buz2b]

They are the same CPU's; no difference in build quality. As far as the warranty, I look at it like this.....I save ~20 on an OEM and invest that (plus a bit more) in a better HSF. Now I have the same processor that they are willing to warranty for 3 years but I am putting a better HSF on it which should keep the cpu cooler. Cooler electronics usually equal longer lifespan. A win-win situation. I have yet to have an OEM cpu go south on probably ~40 builds.

 

[Ackbar]

Actually, back in the days of 'yore... I remember some folk lore that the retail chips would be taken off the center of the wafer while the OEM chips would be taken off the edges. I'm not sure if I believe this, but I have noticed that some of my retails would clock better than other peoples while my OEMs wouldn't clock as high. But this is obviously more speculative than it is indicative. I would go with my general rule of thumb, if the price difference is minimal might as well go with the retail so you get the warranty and HSF, if it's a big difference buy a new HSF and maybe that'll work out better for you in the end.

 

[Relion]

No real difference ... but the 3 year warranty is why I get retail...besides, stock HSF quality seems to have improved a lot...at least for A64s

 

[ty1er]

If the price different between oem and retail is greater than 20$, then i would op for the Oem version.
If you shop around enough im sure you be able to fine the retail version within a few bucks of the oem unit.

 

[imported_PanicAttack]

Thanks for all the input. I'm not in a real hurry since I'm waiting for more of the NForce4 boards to hit the market. Like ty1er said, if I shop around I can find a retail closer in price to the OEM but if not then I won't feel like I'm getting an inferior product.