Ok from what ive learned the difference between an oem and retail cpu is the warranty 3 years with intel for retail and 1 year for oem or whatever warranty the seller provides.  Since there isnt any performace difference  a local store is selling an oem q9450 for 349 bucks, now with tax and a warranty plan it going to come aout at around 390ish bucks.  If I order a retail online with shipping it comes out around the same price give or take a couple of dollars.  Does anyone think i should jump on the oem or do the majority of you think retail cpus are better?  ps i have a Zalman 9500 so i dont need a hsf
 
Thanks for any replies

I bought a Q9450 yesterday. My understanding is there is no difference between OEM and retail except for price, HSF, and box. And OEM and retail version is not "better" or "worse".

93 years? I imagine it will be a bit outdated by then.

no fair editing it now and making me look foolish.

 
 
lol at first i had no idea what you were talking about until i looked at my post and saw the mistake. Edit made thanks

From what I understand, the OEM from the retailer should be 30 days.  So that is when you can send it back to the retailer (newegg, ewiz, ect)  After the 30 days, I believe Intel will honor the 1 year warranty, but you'd have to send it directly to them.

Also, you can buy the extended warranty from a retailer.  But the thing is for me, I've never ever had to return a CPU.  My Dad's OEM E4300 has pretty much hit it's 1 year mark.  But then that doesn't matter since it's been OC (11 months and 2 weeks) after 2 weeks at stock speed to make sure its running right.  . o O (so the OC'ing automatically voids it, but I won't tell if you don't tell)

i dont overclock i just want to make sure that performance wise if you were to test a retail and oem that they are the same exact thing.  

The performance is identical.  OEMs were meant to be put in pre-built systems like Dell, HP; thus, they are shipped alone and with little warranty (it is meant to be covered by Dell, HP).  After that they are completely identical.  I'd go with OEM.  Don't worry about the warranties.  They aren't worth it.

They are.  My Dad's OEM E4300 run just as good as my E4400 retail performance wise.

If you think about it though, the extra money your paying goes to the packaging, the warranty papers, the crappy thermal pad, and HSF, while the OEM you just get the CPU in a plastic case on foam.

Edit:

. o O (forgot to mention that the retail box also comes with a handy lil sticker )

 
 
I like the stickers

Cool thanks everyone for the replies im off to get a oem q9450