Retail CPU or OEM?

[Bowen]

Would you guys rather buy a OEM or Retail CPU? I know the differences and they both should be equal as far as performance and reliability but I would like your opinions as well. I'm planning on upgrading me Athlon (T-bird core) 1.33 GHz to an AthlonXP 2000+ core. Has anyone had any bad experiences with an OEM CPU over Retail? Note: My current CPU is an OEM and It's been rock solid!

 

[SilverBack]

You are right, there aren't any differences between the two at as far as the processor itself goes. Quality, life etc..
However the OEM will have a warrenty depending on reseller from 3 months to a year. The retail has a 3 year warrenty.
I almost always buy the retail for myself if I can.
The only reason is that the retails come with a HSF of their own and the cost usually isn't that much different I don't use it for my rigs, but when I build pc's for other people ( who usually don't want the latest, fastest or greatest ) they work just great for OEM cpu's of lessor ratings.

 

[LanEvoVI]

I've bought a number of both retail and OEM cpu's and I can't notice a difference stability wise between them. I'd say if you're going to do some overclocking, then go OEM since you'll probably want a new heat sink anyway. But if you just want something that's quiet and runs stock, then go retail (plus u get a nice long warranty to boo!)

 

[grimreaper19]

if you do buy the retail, make sure that you keep the heatsink that they provide. If anything happens with the cpu, the heatsink is usually required. So don't toss the retail heatsink or give it away. Even if you don't use it, make sure you put it in a safe place.

 

[Brian07]

I just had an Athlon Xp 1500 go bad that I bought from Newegg.com. Newegg will only warrant the OEM cpu's for 30 days, so they won't replace it and AMD has replied that they won't replace it. From here on out its retail for me, you at least have a 3 year warranty from AMD.

 

[Dan]

Whenever I have a choice I always buy OEM chips. First, I want to save money. Second, I prefer to use an aftermarket HS/F. Third, I upgrade far too frequently for a longer warranty to be relevant or useful.

 

[Bowen]

Thanx guys....you've been a big help. I was wanting to save a little money and if I bought an OEM cpu and something happened after the 30 days or if it had been tampered with in some way, then I would be out twice what I would be if I just bought a retail version of it. I have a Thermalright SK-6 HSF that I'll use on it too, but I will definitely keep the one that came with it!!

 

[Zap]

Besides the 30-day versus 3-year warranty issue...

Sometimes the price differential is very low. For instance, if the XP2000+ retail was only $2 more than the OEM, then definately go retail. If the XP2000+ was $30 less for OEM, then maybe OEM... you just have to see what the difference is.

The OEM and retail CPUs _should_ be the same, but there have been times in the past that they were not. The reason would be if a new stepping came out... sometimes it would be found in retail boxes only, other times in OEM parts only.