Whats retail? Whats OEM?

[grassapa]

Im not a computer noob, its just that I have never bought computer parts before so this might sound like a noob question but: When you buy a cpu or a graphics card or whatever, whats the difference between retail and OEM, whats better?
thanks

"I would sell my soul for a truly legit 08 valor"

 

[chuck232]

Retail is usually a boxed set with everything included. Retail also usually includes a 3-5 year manufacturers warranty. Retail also usually costs more.

OEM may just be a card on its own with a cable and a guide, nothing else. In the case of a video card, it could also be clocked at lower speeds. They're usually a bit cheaper. In the case of CPUs, the retail box comes with a HSF while the OEM version does not. Also OEM things usually only come with a 10-30 day retailer's warranty, so you can't go running to Intel for a defective CPU. You'd have to go to where you bought it.

Falling down stairs saves time

 

[grassapa]

so in other words, buy retail if u can

"I would sell my soul for a truly legit 08 valor"

 

[slickstaa]

the only time i opt for retail is with cpus and sometimes mobos. Otherwise, OEM is a great value especially with something like hard drives where the manufacturer will honor the three year warranty anyway.

 

[chuck232]

But try not to get OEM video cards, unless you hear good thigs about them. They usually use lower quality components and are clocked lower.

Falling down stairs saves time