Retail vs. OEM (mobo & memory)?

[senior guy]

Over the years, I've bought both Retail and OEM CPU's, but only Retail mobos and memory... What don't you get when you save some bucks by buying an OEM mobo or RIMM/DIMM?

 

[StattlichPassat]

I don't think you have a choice but to buy retail motherboards, and memory usually comes OEM. That's how I've been buying it for years online and haven't seen it any other way!

 

[senior guy]

I have seen both varieties of mobos and memory modules at Newegg!

 

[IntelConvert]

Yes, there are OEM and Retail versions of some (not all) motherboards and memory modules. From my experience, the difference boils down to packaging, accessories (none - limited with OEM versions) and the manufacturer's warranty (which usually comes only with the Retail version). I don't believe there is any difference in quality or performance!

BTW, the above also applies to OEM vs Retail CPU's and HDD's (the exception being that some OEM HDDs do come with a mfr warranty).

 

[pwass]

i know tha the difference between retail and oem mem os that retail comes in a hard plastec case and oem comes in a static bag.