OEM Vs. Retail CPU's

Vietnow · Mar 12, 2011

I'm looking to complete my first build and I'm wondering what the real difference is between buying a CPU labeled OEM or a retail packaged CPU. Case in point:

AMD Phenom II X4 820 2.8GHz OEM

Vs.

AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz Retail

NdMk2o1o · Mar 12, 2011

OEM = processor only, no heatsink/fan

scaminatrix · Mar 12, 2011

1. Packaging and accessories: The heatsink and fan aren't included in OEM CPU's, so you'd have to buy a separate one. Also, it's most likely you don't get a box with it.
2. Price: OEM CPU's are cheaper than the retail ones.
3. Warranty length: The OEM CPU that you listed only has a 30 day warranty. The retail one has a 3 year warranty, but unless you're a hardcore overclocker, that won't matter.

NdMk2o1o · Mar 12, 2011

NdMk2o1o said:
OEM = processor only, no heatsink/fan

I would recommend getting a Phenom II 9** series not the 820/840

netieb · Mar 12, 2011

3. Warranty length: The OEM CPU that you listed only has a 30 day warranty. The retail one has a 3 year warranty, but unless you're a hardcore overclocker, that won't matter.

+1 thats the only thing that really matters.

Geofrancis · Mar 13, 2011

i have seen one cpu fail ever and that was when a power surge blew the PSU motherboard, cpu and ram. a cpu warrenty is something i have never worried about.

System Name	First Build
Processor	AMD Phenom II X4 945
Motherboard	MSI 890FXA-GD70
Cooling	Air
Memory	Corsair XMS3 4x@2GB
Video Card(s)	XFX ATI Radeon 4850 1GB
Storage	Samsung F2 1TB
Display(s)	Acer H243H 24" LCD
Case	AZZA Solano 1000
Power Supply	CoolerMaster eXtreme 600w
Software	Windows 7 Ultimate

System Name	Ryzen Reynolds
Processor	Ryzen 1600 - 4.0Ghz 1.415v - SMT disabled
Motherboard	mATX Asrock AB350m AM4
Cooling	Raijintek Leto Pro
Memory	Vulcan T-Force 16GB DDR4 3000 16.18.18 @3200Mhz 14.17.17
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Nitro+ 4GB RX 580 - 1450/2000 BIOS mod 8-)
Storage	Seagate B'cuda 1TB/Sandisk 128GB SSD
Display(s)	Acer ED242QR 75hz Freesync
Case	Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-01
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Corsair VS 550w
Mouse	Zalman ZM-M401R
Keyboard	Razor Lycosa
Software	Windows 10 x64
Benchmark Scores	https://www.3dmark.com/spy/6220813

System Name	Benny
Processor	Phenom II 1055t @ 3.3GHz; 300x11; 1.380v; NB 2700; HT 2400
Motherboard	ASUS Crosshair IV Formula (2002 BIOS)
Cooling	Thermalright TRUE 120 Black + 2 Xilence Red Wing PWM 120mm (push/pull) + polycarbonate fan holders
Memory	8GB GeIL Ultra 2133MHZ C9 running at 1600MHz @ 7-7-7-21 1T 1.5v
Video Card(s)	MSI Twin Frozr II GTX470 @ Stock w/CPU fan cable-tied on, as one of the GPU fans broke.
Storage	60GB OCZ Agility3 (OS);500GB WDC Grn; 1x1TB WDC Blk (Backup)
Display(s)	ASUS PA823Q
Case	Silverstone Raven 2 (all cables custom sleeved with velcro mod on side panel...)
Audio Device(s)	X-Fi (Onboard) + Harmon Kardon HK6100 amp powering JVC HA-RX700's with Zalman mic
Power Supply	Corsair HX650W
Software	Win7 Pro x64
Benchmark Scores	No benchies so making this space useful! Corsair M90, Logitech G19. Phobya FlexLight LED's (gawjus)

System Name	Ryzen Reynolds
Processor	Ryzen 1600 - 4.0Ghz 1.415v - SMT disabled
Motherboard	mATX Asrock AB350m AM4
Cooling	Raijintek Leto Pro
Memory	Vulcan T-Force 16GB DDR4 3000 16.18.18 @3200Mhz 14.17.17
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Nitro+ 4GB RX 580 - 1450/2000 BIOS mod 8-)
Storage	Seagate B'cuda 1TB/Sandisk 128GB SSD
Display(s)	Acer ED242QR 75hz Freesync
Case	Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-01
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Corsair VS 550w
Mouse	Zalman ZM-M401R
Keyboard	Razor Lycosa
Software	Windows 10 x64
Benchmark Scores	https://www.3dmark.com/spy/6220813

System Name	Cold Flame
Processor	Intel Q9550 @ 4 GHz
Motherboard	Asus Maximus II Formula
Cooling	Air 4x 140mm Aerocool V14, 2 Aerocool 120mm V12
Memory	G.Skill DIMM 4 GB DDR2-1200 Kit
Video Card(s)	ATI HD 5870
Storage	Samsung 1TB
Display(s)	Samsung SyncMaster P2370
Case	Aerocool BX-500
Audio Device(s)	Xfi-Xtreme Gamer
Power Supply	Corsair HX 850
Software	Windows 7 x64

System Name	Machine XV
Processor	Dual Xeon E5 2670 V3 Turbo unlocked
Motherboard	Kllisre X99 Dual
Cooling	120mm heatsink
Memory	64gb DDR4 ECC
Video Card(s)	RX 480 4Gb
Storage	1Tb NVME SSD
Display(s)	19" + 23" + 17"
Case	ATX
Audio Device(s)	XFi xtreme USB
Power Supply	800W
Software	Windows 10

OEM Vs. Retail CPU's

Vietnow

New Member

NdMk2o1o

scaminatrix

NdMk2o1o

netieb

Geofrancis