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Difference between RETAIL and OEM chip packages?

J

JCE86

Senior member
Whats the difference between RETAIL and OEM packages for chips? Would RETAIL packages come with HSF and manual? Do OEM packages come with a manual? Do chips even come with manuals?!
 


<< Whats the difference between RETAIL and OEM packages for chips? Would RETAIL packages come with HSF and manual? Do OEM packages come with a manual? Do chips even come with manuals?! >>



retail comes with a HSF and manual on specs and how to install. OEM comes with chip and nothing else.
 
Does this so called "manual" only list the specs? If so, I probably can just get an online version of it and since I can get my own HSF, I think OEM is clearly the choice to go.
 
only get the retail version if you don't want to mess with getting a heatsink and fan, and if you're paranoid and need a warranty.

I got my oem 1700+ cpu today, yay!
 


<< Does this so called "manual" only list the specs? If so, I probably can just get an online version of it and since I can get my own HSF, I think OEM is clearly the choice to go. >>



it's usually quite thick because it has just about EVERY language possible in there. just some jibber jabber and some specs. plus, usually there's some simple install instructions.
 
The CPU will be the same quality whether boxed retail with HSF, 90 day warranty, 30 day warranty or whatever. You pay for the HSF in some cases, and fall for the retailer's scam in others. Buy the cheapest CPU you can find and then buy a HSF combination, tested by the overclocking community that will give you the performance you want at a decible level your ears, spouse, dog or parents can tolerate.
 
well i payed 13$ more for my Retail 1600XP -VS- OEM from newegg.. 13$ for a heatsink fan is good 🙂 and yes a 3 year warranty too 😀

can you evan buy a heatsink fan for 13$ that will cool a AMD 1.4 ghz?
 


<< can you evan buy a heatsink fan for 13$ that will cool a AMD 1.4 ghz? >>



you could probably get a volcano 2 for about that 🙂

but why would you. heheh
 
not overclock - buy retail
overclock - must buy retail - they don't care if you burn it by overclock or put in microwave, just don't make physical damage or cut the bridge. $15 more for easy to abuse warranty for 3 years - what a deal!

retail advantages:
less chance of buying remarked cpu
3 years easy to abuse warranty
protection box for shipping the cpu to someone else if you'll sell it in the future
installation manual (not a big advantage since amd has put up the manual in pdf format online)
stock HSF is at least better than under $10 aftermarket one
logo sticker

if you want oem, don't look at the warranty, just look at the lowest price one.
15 days, 1 month, or 1 year or even liftetime doesn't matter since it's provided by the seller, not the manufacturer.
if you damage or burn it, do you think the seller will give you a new one generously?
cpu doesn't go bad easily, when it works from the beginning, it'll probably work forever.
that's why some sellers only give only 15 days warranty on oem cpu - they know if it doesn't work at first, it's bad, must replace another one for you.
that's also why some sellers give 1 year warranty - they know if it works at first, it'll work forever.
because of improper installation and improper cooling can damage the cpu easily, some sellers give 1 year warranty if you also buy a HSF from them too, otherwise 15 days.

if you don't intend to buy a better HSF like vantec, globalwin, alpha, etc. those over $20 kind,
don't get oem cpu with cheapy $10 HSF, buy retail.

however, it's still ok to buy oem, must use credit card with purchase protection. in case of damage during installation, let the credit card company eats it if the seller knows it's damaged by you instead of DOA and refuse to give you a new one.
 
Seems I've also read that OEM chips are prone to be "cherry picked" (an OEM chip found to be more overclockable is pulled [to be sold at a premium] and replaced by OEM chips found to be less overclockable) by disreputable resellers or before the chip even reaches an end reseller.
The point being, if you want to overclock, you may have better luck with a retail chip.

Again, this is what I've read. I have no personal experience one way or another on this. Can anyone comment on this?
 
Everytime I buy any CPU, I reach for BOXed version - there are really small price differences between OEM and BOX versions here in Europe (around $5 or something like that) and getting extra heatsink and 3 year warranty instead of 6 months for $5 is definitely a good deal for me.
I just hate one thing about BOXed CPUs - there are no AMD BOXes available here!!! :|
 
I would thin that Retail chips might be a little better since they come with 3 year warranty im sure that most of time they throw the best chips in retail box. could be wrong though.
 
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