difference between retail/oem

[tideas]

Maybe this is a stupid question

but can someone tell me what is the difference between an oem card and a retail card?

Like, what's missing really?

Becuase most of the manufacturer I see don't even provide games anyway

 

[sisq0kidd]

Well, it really depends. Sometimes cds and cables are missing, other times it's nothing but the box.

 

[JPB]

I bought a C3D X1800 XL oem on Newegg for $319...And they sent me a retail one...

 

[Wolfshanze]

9-times out of 10, the box is missing (and maybe a cable or something), but otherwise it's the same thing. Also a warranty might be shorter with an OEM then a Retail (sometimes).

It's extremely rare for there to be any kind of differance in hardware.

Generally speaking, OEM is a good deal if you can live without the box.

 

[orangat]

OEMs for some manufacturers could have cut down features. Eg I remembered a Dell gfx or sound card which had less features or slower clock than the retail version.

But I would usually assume that oem/retail is only different in packaging and software.