OEM vs. Retail?

[sasmn]

First build. What do I buy OEM and what do I buy Retail? Help! Also, is anyone comfortable recommending what web site I use to buy it all?

 

[Blain]

OEM vs. Retail... What?
I'm assuming you're asking about OEM & Retail "hardware" and not "software".
There are advantages and disadvantages with both, depending on the item and your personal needs.

Spell it out for us... we can't read your mind.

 

[sasmn]

Sorry about that, got plenty to learn...I see HDDs for example, and I think maybe mobos and CPUs also listed both ways depending where I look. Bottom line, hardware. This is my first build, and I don't have spare parts, cables, etc sitting around so I need packaging that has everything.

And when it comes to the software, I guess it's same question...I'll probably mess some things up and need to reinstall a few times as I learn, so does that mean retail? Thanks.

 

[TitleistProV1]

OEM software, will just be a disk(s) with out all the nice packaging, a manual, and all the bells and whistles a full priced retail package has in it. Unless it is pirated software, it is usable just like the regular program is. there may also be lower levels of technical support for the programs as well. OEM disks for Windows is a little different, with its authentication keys and etc. They are trying hard to limit OEM copies of windows to one machine only, where I think you can use retail Windows for up to 3 PC's, if I am not mistaken.

OEM hardware is different. Many people package OEM hardware like OEM software, you get the "bare" drive, with no manuals, registration cards, cables and the like, but it is a fully functional product. Newegg and other vendors with sell returned hardware as OEM, with different return policies and the like.

IMO, OEM software can be a great deal if you know what you are doing. OEM hardware is another matter. If you know the OEM software is new and never been used with a good guarantee, go for it. If it is a returned goods item, don't touch it with a ten foot pole.

 

[0roo0roo]

do you care about boxes?
sometimes oem kb's can be different color, my ms kb was black/white oem instead of blue/white retail. 1/2 price plus i dont care about color means it was fine for me.
cpu warrantees are shorter without retail, retail oem prices can be close enough that retail can be worth it because of the included cooler.

 

[Old Hippie]

This is my first build, and I don't have spare parts, cables, etc sitting around so I need packaging that has everything.

As you've already noticed, you'll need retail. As far as purchasing, Newegg gets my vote.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: TitleistProV1
OEM software, will just be a disk(s) with out all the nice packaging, a manual, and all the bells and whistles a full priced retail package has in it. Unless it is pirated software, it is usable just like the regular program is. there may also be lower levels of technical support for the programs as well. OEM disks for Windows is a little different, with its authentication keys and etc. They are trying hard to limit OEM copies of windows to one machine only, where I think you can use retail Windows for up to 3 PC's, if I am not mistaken.

OEM hardware is different. Many people package OEM hardware like OEM software, you get the "bare" drive, with no manuals, registration cards, cables and the like, but it is a fully functional product. Newegg and other vendors with sell returned hardware as OEM, with different return policies and the like.

IMO, OEM software can be a great deal if you know what you are doing. OEM hardware is another matter. If you know the OEM software is new and never been used with a good guarantee, go for it. If it is a returned goods item, don't touch it with a ten foot pole.

OEM hardware should never be used. It'll have minimal packaging, but won't consist of returns or refurbs, unless the company you're buying from has ethics problems. here's my list of what to buy, and in what form:

Motherboard-retail, you'll get all of the cables you need this way

Harddrive-oem you won't need the cables since they came with the mb

CPU- I prefer oem, but it depends on what your uses are. I overclock, so I don't use the factory heatsink, and a warranty's meaningless since I've voided it by overclocking. Also I'm of the opinion that if a CPU lasts a year, it'll last forever. Any defects will manifest themselves right away, so if you go a couple of months your good to go.

RAM- I think this is all retail. It doesn't matter either way, all your getting is ram sticks.

optical drive-oem see above

O/S- you'll have to use your judgment on this. I'm not really sure. With Vista this early in it's lifespan, I think upgrade or retail might be better for you than oem.

That's about it. If memory serves all your other components will be retail only so you won't really have a choice.

 

[Blain]

Warranties for OEM & Retail HDs can differ. It's not simply a matter of cables.

OEM & Retail optical drives differ in the software that's included. Sometimes OEM drive include software and sometimes they don't.
The user should look into both versions to see if the software justifies any $$ difference.
Another optical drive issue is firmware updates. Make sure you can update a drives firmware before buying an OEM version.

 

[JackMDS]

Quote:"Newegg and other vendors with sell returned hardware as OEM, with different return policies and the like".

If they are doing it might be illegal.

However I do not think it is sold as OEM, it is sold as Open Box.

In general I would not suggest to some one that is Not specifically savvy in types of Hardware to buy Retail (Some Brands run a better QA when the choose the hardware that goes Retail).

If you start to list all the remarks that were mentioned above you would find that there are differences in general, and differences in a particular way OEM are done in specific type of Hardware.

As an Example When buying a CPU there is No issue of Software and the card box is useless.

However, OEM CPU comes without stock HSF.

In the past I remember stories of vendors testing the OEM CPUs (easy to do since they come unboxed on a tray) and taking out the one the OC well to be sold separately for more money. So if one plan to OC CPU might be that you have better chances are with Retail.

sasmn make a list of what you need, log to the popular vendors sites, and find a good price for retail.

Then make a separate parallel list of the same hardware in OEM version. If the difference is small buy the retail.

Come back with a specific list of the few items that the difference id significant and you would be able to get more focused advised.

 

[Check]

For CPU I always go retail for the 3 year warrenty (OCing voids the warrenty blah blah blah, they can't tell if you did or not anyway so it doesn't matter)

For OS I would go Retail if you are doing Vista. I'm not sure what the rules about switching hardware and reinstalling are with OEM, so unless you get a straight answer on whether or not you can reinstall after swapping out the mobo, processor, or other major hardware I would go retail.

Hard drives OEM all the way. Seagate (maybe others too) have a 5 year warranty on all of their drives.

Optical Drives same, just make sure that the company supports the OEM drive you are purchasing and will be doing firmware updates for it.

Peripherals (Keyboard, possibly mouse?) Go OEM. I have a microsoft natural multimedia keyboard that I got OEM and it cost half of the retail price. Don't know about getting a mouse OEM, never looked, if you find a good one go for it.

Motherboard, Soundcard (if you aren't going onboard), video card, RAM, PSU, are all retail AFAIK and you can't purchase OEM.

As for purchasing the parts the two I deal with most of the time are:
www.newegg.com <-- Very large selection, good prices, best navigation of any site.
www.zipzoomfly.com <-- Good prices, free shipping, smaller selection than newegg


Other places I have purchased parts from are
www.svc.com <-- cables, case moding, cooling, and accessories. Check their Clearance section for some good deals
www.frys.com <-- ok selection, purchased software for a friend from there once.
www.coolerguys.com <-- you guessed it, cooling, case mods, and accessories
www.frozencpu.com <-- more cooling, accessories, and case mods

 

[sasmn]

Advice will be followed. Mucho appreciation to everyone from me. When I have more specific issues with equipment selection or "the build", I'll post!