Phenom 9950 - Retail vs Oem?

[budweiser143]

Going to get the 9950, just not sure which one. What is the difference between the retail version and the OEM version?

 

[dagger]

Retail comes in a box with stock heatsink + fans. OEM comes with a chip in foam wrappings.

 

[doomturkey]

Retail is a little more expensive, comes with HS/F, and I think it comes with a warranty too. If you don't overclock or anything, I would get retail. If you do overclock, save a little money, get the OEM version, and buy your own HS/F and thermal paste.
Like this one, for example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

I prefer OEM just because its cheaper.

 

[dagger]

Retail is a little more expensive, comes with HS/F, and I think it comes with a warranty too. If you don't overclock or anything, I would get retail. If you do overclock, save a little money, get the OEM version, and buy your own HS/F and thermal paste.
Like this one, for example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

I prefer OEM just because its cheaper.

OEM also comes with warranty.

 

[sailer]

Typically OEM has a shorter warranty period, like 90 days instead of three years. I bought a 9950 BE retail version a few days ago for $179 and free shipping from Newegg. Haven't had a chance to do much with it yet. It has a very nice heatsink. Not good enough for overclocking the 9950, but it could be used on a lower chip and give some good cooling. As for overclocking, it shouldn't matter whether you get retail or OEM. Do check the prices carefully, as I've heard that some OEM chips were being listed for more money than the retail chips.

 

[dagger]

Typically OEM has a shorter warranty period, like 90 days instead of three years. I bought a 9950 BE retail version a few days ago for $179 and free shipping from Newegg. Haven't had a chance to do much with it yet. It has a very nice heatsink. Not good enough for overclocking the 9950, but it could be used on a lower chip and give some good cooling. As for overclocking, it shouldn't matter whether you get retail or OEM. Do check the prices carefully, as I've heard that some OEM chips were being listed for more money than the retail chips.

Not 90 days. Intel OEM is 1 year, retail 3 year.

 

[sailer]

I stand corrected. I've mainly dealt with AMD through the years, so perhaps that is where I got the 90 idea. Don't know for sure.

 

[megamanx00]

If you're going to overclock it makes sense to get the OEM version and get a better CPU cooler. Personally I like retail packages and the case badge, but if you don't care and want to overclock go OEM.

 

[budweiser143]

What threw me off was that Newegg has the retail for $179 and the Oem for $289! Think I'll go with the retail!

 

[sailer]

What threw me off was that Newegg has the retail for $179 and the Oem for $289! Think I'll go with the retail!

That's exactly what I meant about checking the prices. Seems really weird, paying less money to get a heatsink, full instructions, etc for the same chip, but that's the way the way Newegg priced them.

 

[badge]

Intel does not provide ANY warranty if you buy their OEM processors AS AN END USER. The only warranty INTEL or AMD provide for their OEM processors is if you buy from a recognized OEM builder and the warranty is serviced through the OEM builder. AMD refused to honor ANY warranty for an OEM processor I bought from Newegg recently. After some research, this is what I have learned. Buy an OEM processor, have a problem, contact Intel or AMD for warranty service and you will be told to CONTACT THE OEM builder and go through them. No other OEM warranty is in effect.

 

[badge]

Give me a minute and I will post the SAME 'contract' Intel implies for their OEM processor warranties.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_867,00.html

 

[badge]

Intel's version of OEM warranty.

Who do I contact to obtain warranty service?
OEM processor family

Contact the company from which you bought your computer system or the system manufacturer. You can also consult the warranty documentation that accompanied your computer system for specific warranty terms and conditions


http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/cs-020033.htm