OEM or Retail

RadioHead84

Platinum Member
Jan 8, 2004
2,166
0
0
This will be my frist build. Should i get an OEM or Retail CPU?


What are the + and - of doing both?
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
buy retail, heatsink is included and they have a longer warranty.
plus, you get a cool case badge with retail ;)

that explains the pros in cons all in one breakdown :p
 

Algere

Platinum Member
Feb 29, 2004
2,157
0
0
OEM

+ Cheaper
- 30 day warranty give or take a few days provided by retailer & no heatsink/fan, sticker, etc.



Retail

+ 3 Yr. manufacturer warranty, CPU sticker, pamphlet, setup instructions, heatsink/fan, etc.
- Bit more costlier than OEM
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
well it doesn't really matter, if you don't want to wait 4 days (I don't blame you - i get anxious too) then just get the OEM
but you will have to buy a heatsink. to some people that does no matter... me, i usually use the retail HSF for a while before I upgrade, so... :)
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
I'd get the retail just for the heatsink if it's only ~$10 more, even if you get an aftermarket one. A backup never hurt anyone.
 

RadioHead84

Platinum Member
Jan 8, 2004
2,166
0
0
I like warranteis...so I guess i am forced to go with retail. When i buy computers I get huge warranties..this is quite diff..each pecie having their own.
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
CPUs don't really go bad, they either work or they don't (unless you fry it with too much voltage). I wouldn't worry about buying an OEM CPU from a reputable place like Newegg, if it doesn't work you know they'll replace it.
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Originally posted by: MDE
CPUs don't really go bad, they either work or they don't (unless you fry it with too much voltage). I wouldn't worry about buying an OEM CPU from a reputable place like Newegg, if it doesn't work you know they'll replace it.

exactly. cpus don't really go bad, unless you overclock (in which case the warranty is null anyways).

all stock heatsinks suck; too noisy.
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Originally posted by: MDE
CPUs don't really go bad, they either work or they don't (unless you fry it with too much voltage). I wouldn't worry about buying an OEM CPU from a reputable place like Newegg, if it doesn't work you know they'll replace it.

exactly. cpus don't really go bad, unless you overclock (in which case the warranty is null anyways).

all stock heatsinks suck; too noisy.
Actually the stock Intel heatsink I got with my 3.2C wasn't too bad, in fact it wasn't much louder than the Zalman I slapped on there. The Athlon64 heatsinks aren't bad either, unless you're running at full load 24\7.
 

RadioHead84

Platinum Member
Jan 8, 2004
2,166
0
0
So i really dont have to wrry about breaking it?


I dont know how to put a fan on either..is it hard?
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: RadioHead84
So i really dont have to wrry about breaking it?


I dont know how to put a fan on either..is it hard?
Very easy. A retail CPU will come with instructions, or a good aftermarket heatsink will have intelligible instructions. Worst case scenario is you ask for help here :).
 

Polishwonder74

Senior member
Dec 23, 2002
474
0
0
<== Usually gets OEM


Unless I want the nice box, or there's some nifty software included. Also, I like getting the HSF with CPUs. They come in handy later sometimes and are a pretty good deal for $1.
 

sfmedic

Member
Aug 14, 2004
156
0
0
Like everyone said the only difference between retail and OEM are the warranties and the heatsink&amp;fan. You will usually find pricing better on OEM cpu's. One site to look at for CPU's is www.starmicro.net. They seem to have some pretty decent prices and often offer free shipping by ups ground.

When it comes down to it, it's your choice. And what you prefer.
 

Trey22

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2003
5,540
0
76
If I'm gonna OC, definitely OEM to save a couple of bucks and get a good HSF.

If no OC'ing, retail should be more than adequate.
 

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
5,388
1
0
i know for the A64 3200, retail is cheaper than OEM at zipzoomfly. might as well take the hsf for backup just in case.