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what does oem mean?

Original Equipment Manufacturer!


/EDIT:
I think it means you just get the hardware... none of the supporting software, except maybe basic drivers

 
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It is not neccessarily bad to buy OEM hardware, as it is exactly the same product that you get when you buy it retail. However, there are two very important differences between them:

1) OEM items usually do not come with the neccessary cables, connectors, etc. to make that item work. You will have to buy those things on your own in order to support that OEM mobo, videocard, hard drive etc. You will also not receive additional programs, games or software with that OEM item save for the neccessary drivers to install that item.

2) OEM items are cheaper than their retail counterparts; not a whole lot, but you do save some money. Most likely due to the fact that OEM stuff does not come with the additional cables and hardware that retail items do (see point #1), and also because OEM stuff is bought in bulk from computer makers like Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc.
 
OEM processors you need to buy a heatsink and fan to go with it and they usually only have a 15-30 day warranty. Most online vendors sell OEM products along with some retail stuff.
 
newegg.com would be a good place to start... just browse around the website and get the feel of it....zipzoomfly.com is another site...monarchcomputer.com is another...follow the forumshere at anandtech and look into the guides...it takes time but as you go u will learn...and there are no dumb questions...

good luck
 
Yeah, your OEM cpu won't come with a heatsink and fan, so you'll have to get one seperatly. I also wouldn't trust the generic PSU in that raidmax case.
 
OEM - A company makes something for B company, designed by B company.
ODM - A company makes something for B company, designed by A company.
Bulk - Each packed in anti-static bag, several pieces put in a carton box with foams. Some have individual white/brown box.

For computer hardware, we call Bulk items OEM.
These are supposed to be sold to resellers/ system integrators (e.g. Dell, ABS) only, but Newegg (same company as ABS) sells them to end-users (you).

Some OEM hardware provide warranty to the end-users (you) - e.g. harddisk.
Some only provide warranty to the resellers/ system integrators, then they provide warranty to the end-users (you).

In the past, the price difference between OEM and retail was huge. But today the price difference is near nothing (e.g. retail cpu with 3 years warranty by Intel/AMD and OEM with 7-14 days warranty by the resellers). And you can find many hot deals that make retail products being cheaper than OEM. So it's not wise to buy OEM for most items.
 
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