Question about OEM and Retail.

[imported_Krypto]

Ok, I was looking for a barton socket a 3200+ and on newegg the OEM cpu is $20+ more than the retail. Why is this? Is one better? I can't see a difference in specs....

 

[imported_Mitchell]

OEM usually comes as just the base unit. IE. an OEM video card will be just that, a video card, in a static bag, maybe with a disk with drivers. The same Retail video card, would be in a box, with the cd for drivers, maybe a few games, and a warranty/registration card etc.

Basically the extra price you pay for retail means you get a pretty box. But retail sometimes comes with a different warrenty (most of the time not but some companies do make a distinction.) for example a OEM AMD CPU might have a 1 year warrenty (because it is just the CPU) where a retail (same CPU) would have a 3 year warrenty (because retail CPU's come with a certified AMD CPU fan).

That's it in a nut shell.

Another Example:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=26-106-013&depa=0

and then ...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=26-106-012&depa=0

or

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=26-106-009&depa=0

and

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=26-106-014&depa=0

the list goes on and on ... same units, less packaging.

And ya, OEM should never cost more then retail, unless the items are not the same thing. Like an OEM apple to a retail Orange.

 

[shoRunner]

there would be no reseason for an oem hardware piece to cost more than a retail piece

 

[WildHorse]

Retail=includes heatsink & thermal pad to install it onto the cpu.

OEM=you buy your own heatsink separately,& you buy your own thermal grease to mount it.

 

[Ike0069]

This question was asked on the Monarch forums when they had similar pricing. Monarch answered that tthey adjust the prices frequently based on supply/demand. If they are running low on OEM CPU's in a particular speed but have plenty of the retail, sometimes the adjustments can actually cause the retail to be cheaper than the OEM.
Just get the retail either way. That way you get the 3-yr warranty.

 

[imported_Krypto]

Retail=http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-390&depa=1

OEM=http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-391&depa=1

Why is that ^^^? I know that the retail has the hsf and thermal pad, but why would this oem be more than the retail ^^^?

 

[imported_Krypto]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
This question was asked on the Monarch forums when they had similar pricing. Monarch answered that tthey adjust the prices frequently based on supply/demand. If they are running low on OEM CPU's in a particular speed but have plenty of the retail, sometimes the adjustments can actually cause the retail to be cheaper than the OEM.
Just get the retail either way. That way you get the 3-yr warranty.

Ahh, i see.