OEM or Retail// Where do you buy?

**pm4345** · February 13th, 2001, 01:02 PM

This issue has been bugging me for a while.
Retail usually is a little more but at least it has a better warranty and CPU's have a good quality fan.

On the other hand, OEM is cheaper, but one time buying a CPU from Accubyte, after I added a fan and the warranty, the cost for an OEM came out to more than the retail. Even the tech/sales person commented on that.

Do you guys prefer OEM or Retail and Where do you usually purchase from?

Thanks for your input!

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Darren Wilson · February 13th, 2001, 02:38 PM

Retail for me but I always buy proper cooling as well. At least with Retail you are getting what you pay for and not a remarked piece of kit.

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archangel · February 13th, 2001, 02:58 PM

I've been building system for many many years and have never bought a retail processor. I usually get the OEM. I have bought processors that do not work, but I have never had one fail after the 30 days. This weekend I bought an OEM 1.2GHz Athlon. I left the computer running a diag program for 2 days. It didn't fail so the chances of it failing now are pretty slim.

I can't tell you what route to take. If the longer warrenty gives you peace of mind, then go for it. If 30 days seems enough, buy that and put the money you save on a good quality heat sink and fan(I don't like the ones that the retail processors come with).

Just my $.02

edited: fixed a typo...
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[This message has been edited by archangel (edited February 13, 2001).]

**willieray** · February 13th, 2001, 03:03 PM

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by archangel:
This weekend I bought an OEM 1.2GB Athlon.
</font>

when did amd start making athlon hard drives? and so small?

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archangel · February 13th, 2001, 03:40 PM

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by willieray:
when did amd start making athlon hard drives? and so small?

</font>

1.2 Ghz AMD Proc .... my fault
(note to self... start proofreading post before submitting)

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dumb blonde · February 13th, 2001, 04:24 PM

i have used both the bottom line is this, oem and retail work just as well.but the retail carrys a longer warranty about 3 years,oem 1 month to 1 year. spend the money and do retail.

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what will go wrong today???? never mind going back to bed

**cyberhh** · February 13th, 2001, 05:05 PM

Intel - retail all the way - 3yr warranty, nice fan, cool holo-sticker for the case

AMD - BIGGER fan avail for OEM vs. warranty on Retail - a descision you will have to make yourself. Personally I always go retail.

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Death is lighter than a feather - duty heavier than a mountian.

iateyourcat · February 13th, 2001, 06:27 PM

i always buy oem.. cheaper for almost the same product.

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=-iateyourcat-=

corelogik · February 14th, 2001, 03:16 AM

I try to buy OEM when i can get it. Some things my suppliers just dont carry OEM. I've never had a problem with any of the core components ive bought OEM. All of my CPU's have been OEM except for an Intel Celery i had once.

Give me OEM and put the extra dough on dem Big A$$ Fans.

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**NPaladin** · February 14th, 2001, 03:35 AM

I tend to buy OEM, when it's actually cheaper (most places, if they see that their retail is the same price as someone's OEM CPU, they'll raise the price on it). With OEM, you get a shorter warranty, true (unless you go straight to AMD sometimes) but you don't eat the cost of the fan that you know you're not gonna use (Come on...you know you want that FOP38....go ahead...go for it...hehehe).

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**Green Iguana** · February 14th, 2001, 04:13 AM

Retail on CPU's for warranty, most other parts OEM as my supplier gives me a year on them.

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It's a dog eat dog world out there, and there isn't enough dog to go around. So get as much dog as you can, before all the dogs gone.

**NTTECH1** · February 14th, 2001, 06:20 AM

Have about 4 or 5 Vendors most in Tampa, Fl.
I buy OEM for better pricing, Customers want a better price not a box that they can look at after they buy the part.We install most components also so no differance to the end users.

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Computer Shop Owner A+ COMPTIA

x_789 · February 14th, 2001, 11:30 AM

I will buy OEM anyday of the week. The only time i may buy retail is for a processor if the oem + a fan and heatsink = retail price. As far as sound cards video and Hds its always oem thats the only way to go. I mean 35.00 for a SB live or 99.00 so it has a box its a no brainer same with Video cards. plus i dont have th throw away as many boxes .X

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No really That paper thingy you took out of the box with all the words on it was not packing material its called a "MANUAL"

MacGyver · February 14th, 2001, 11:48 AM

At my company I don't do any ordering, that is through our head office, but stuff I get is about half and half retail and OEM. Whoever has it in stock and can get it to us ASAP!

If you don't need a box, manual, or installation disks, then OEM is the way to go.

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sHIFT hAPPENS

**pm4345** · February 14th, 2001, 08:55 PM

$35 for SB Live? Holy Crap! Can I have the number for your distributor?

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