Retail / OEM video card differences?

[QuantumFlux]

I've heard that some manufacturers sell their better-quality cards as retail and the others as OEM. I'm doubtful of this, but does anyone know anything either way?

 

[Corporate Thug]

the qulaity of the card is the same, the only difference is the software bundle and warrenty is shorter with OEM

 

[VIAN]

Retail:
Box
Documents
Driver CD
Card

OEM:
Driver CD
Card

OEM sometimes also don't have normal speeds, so you may want to watch out for those.

 

[SneakyStuff]

OEM can be cheaper sometimes, but you will get a shorter warranty, and less extras, bundled software is non-existant with OEM products, like graphics cards for example. If you have no need of certain extras, than OEM suits some people just fine.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

oem is for system integrators, not for end-users,
so it doesn't come with that many bundles as retail and some use lower grade components.

 

[Tectron]

I was also going to ask this question.
I have the opportunity to buy a ATI9700pro out of a gateway. I went to the Gateway site to check the specs and noticed a disclaimer that stated that the specs may not be the same as a retail card. I heard that oem cards may not be clocked as fast as the retail to prevent overheating from dust build up etc. My main concern is what is different. I dont see why there would be a disclaimer if they were Identical. at least in this case..

Thanks

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Unless it's stated, don't expect it's a card 100% identical to the retail one.

How much can you save on the oem card?
Do you feel the price difference justifies the missing things?
You decide.

 

[Tectron]

Im looking at 50-100 bucks. My Boss replaced it out of the cad computer for a Quatro. Its been just sitting on his shelf and he said he would sell it to me for half what a new one cost. But he's pretty flexable.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Save $50-100 is nice.
Normally you can just save less than 10%.