A few questions!

[Deagle]

1st of all, is OEM products good?
2nd, what if I were to buy an OEM proc and mobo. Do I need anything else to install the proc into the mobo beside the chip itself? Is the difference between an OEM proc and retail is the included stock heatsink/fan?
Thanx for responses:D

[Whyzman]

There are a few things to consider when considering purchasing OEM.

You usually get a longer warranty when purchasing retail.

With retail you get a pretty box and usually cables and connectors necessary to get you up an running. With OEM it's usually just the device itself and it comes in a nondescript white box. OEM products are often referred to as "white box" goods!

One way to look at OEM products is that this is the way the folks who assemble computers purchase their inventory. Since they are selling an assembled computer there is no need to have fancy packaging because the components have already been assembled inside the computer.

The big trade off though is that for a lesser price who assumes the responsibility for tech-support, and the length of warranty.

If you take a look at NewEgg you will see that the OEM products carry pretty short warranties as compared with retail.

Other than that, an ATI 9700 Pro, for example, would be the same unit whether purchased OEM or retail.

So, when purchasing OEM you need to weigh price vs. warranty, tech-support, and things like cables etc.

As far as a CPU and fan/heat-sink combos I suspect that AMD and INTEL might be trying to protect themselves warranty wise by supplying a heat-sink/fan that they know is an acceptable weight and will provide sufficient cooling for their product.

There's probably more others can add, but that's my input!

[Deagle]

What products do people usally buy OEM? Could u give me a few examples?
Well I found a proc at a store close to my house that only have the chip, nothing else. Is that good?
About the stock HSF, I heard that they are only good for people who don't push their machines above the normal level(Overclock)
Do separate HSF like thermaltake volcano work on AMD and Intel proc?:D

[saphalline]

There are several things that I usually purchase OEM because of cost, but these parts are generally those that I know will work or don't need the retail version. Most components with moving parts are best bought retail.

CPU's - All procs for my own use are always OEM. I don't need or want the retail HSF unit because I like getting a much better, third-party one. I don't really overclock my CPU's that much, if at all, but the extra cooling and reduced noise (for certain ones) are my main reasons. Thermalright makes great all-copper heatsinks for both AMD and Intel procs, and the best thing is that these heatsinks accept standard 80mm case fans for cooling. 80mm fans push more air per rpm (as such they spin slower and last longer) than 60mm fans and are 1/2 to 1/4 the noise. I do tend to get retail procs if I'm buying for someone else's use, however.

Hard drives - Most of the time, hard drives are only available in OEM if you buy online. Not such as bad deal as hard drives are just hard drives, no special software is required (except for the manufacturer's specific recovery software and such but this is available for download on their website). Because they have moving parts, the warranty is very important on a hard drive. However, in the case of hard drives, the warranty is just as good and just as long for an OEM version as it is for a retail version (it's just that the warranty for both is getting shorter!). The reason is simple, most of the big PC manufacturers buy hard drives in large bulk orders of OEM versions, so the small-time enthusiast enjoys the benefits of the same warranty. :D If it weren't for this, I would only buy retail hard drives.

Cases - This is an area, like the CPU, where I always buy OEM for myself but not necessarily others. A case is a case, and it matters less if you get a retail one than whether or not the case is well-designed. I like to get OEM versions of well-designed cases, and then buy my own separate case fans and power supply. Bundled ones of either are not the best. I guess in this case (no pun intended) you can see that I put thought into every single piece of hardware that goes into one of my personal rigs. No IDE cable or case fan or drive rail escapes my attention! ;)

RAM - It's better to buy OEM name-brand RAM than a generic stick of retail stuff! That's probably an oxymoron, but you get the idea. :rolleyes: Name-brand RAM will generally have the same warranty from the manufacturer in both OEM & retail, but with OEM you do have to go through your reseller (like Newegg) instead of going straight to the manufacturer. RAM is pretty safe, tho, and almost impossible to break unless it has a defect to begin with. Overclocking RAM technically lowers its lifespan, but you're bound to upgrade out of it long before it stops working and most high-quality RAM modules have a bit of headroom anyway. To wit, I still have working sticks of generic 60ns EDO RAM from ancient and long gone pre-Pentium machines! RAM lasts darn near forever...

Optical readers - CD-ROM drives and DVD-ROM drives can be bought OEM without much of a problem. Even though they have moving parts, all they do is read disks, a task that has become ubiquitous and ultimately easy to do. Staying with brand names you recognize is recommended, if only because generic readers have a tendency to not play nicely in all situations. Although optical readers won't last forever because of their constantly-used moving parts, they're likely to last through two or three upgrade cycles. And really, it is that bad to have to buy a DVD-ROM drive when your 5-year-old CD-ROM drive finally dies? They're cheap enough for a computer part to not even worry about.

Floppy drive - Ok, these things are so old I don't know why people still use them in a brand new P4 machine, but whatever. Mine is soon to be retired from personal use for good. It's handy to have a working one around, but be kind to it and only put it in your rig when you need it. Otherwise it's powered up and checked on each boot, which puts wear and tear on its poor moving parts. Retail ones aren't worth the extra money. You want to spend $8 on this little-used part, or $20? Yeah, I thought so.

Then there are some things better bought in the pretty retail packaging because of included parts or software or just plain because of a better warranty.

Anything else with moving parts - Anything not listed above. Things like case fans, CD-RW drives, DVD writers, power supply, etc. Protect your investment and buy retail. Besides, retail for the optical writers gives you the full software! Very important.

Motherboard - The central core and foundation for your entire PC should not be OEM! If there's one part that should not be skimped on if you can help it, it's the mobo. Go all out and get the best one you need, pay extra for a good brand name, etc. This is perhaps the first important thing that all new PC builders should learn.

I think that's it... Have I forgotten anything?

[Budfred]

One thing saphalline, the OS. I would definitely buy the OS on a OEM basis. Assuming you are buying Windoze, the disadvantage is that you don't get their support, if you consider that a disadvantage. I have never found their support to be helpful, so I am not willing to pay around $100 more for a retail version in order to get it....

[Deagle]

So a thermaltake volcano9 would outcool the stock HSF of an AMD or Intel procs?
There're 2 local stores in my areas that sell the AMD 2500+ barton. 1 sell OEM and the other retail. Well the price diff between them is about $30.
I didn't really get what you said about OEM and retail case. I know a case is a case but what is the diff? Pre-pack PSU?
:cool:

[saphalline]

Oh yeah, I guess I did forget something. I always do the first time around. Thanx, Budfred.

Depends on the case manufacturer, but generally a retail case comes in a pretty box and has case fans and a manual. If the case usually comes with a power supply, the retail will also have this. Like I said, I choose my own case fans and power supply, so I don't need those. And the manual? Well, granted some cases have freak features that actually require a manual, but I don't get those. ;)

As for the Barton, $30 diff is big, considering that Newegg sells the 2500 OEM for $93, and the retail for $96. $3 difference there, a full 1/10 of what you are giving us. And Newegg has free shipping on all CPU's (generally takes 2-4 days for me).

The Volcano 9 looks to be pretty good. I also forgot to mention that a separate HSF unit should be retail, also, but that could go under moving parts I suppose. Anyway, you'll need good thermal grease to put the heatsink on the CPU. Generic paste or a thermal pad work OK, but Arctic Silver III works much better! I put that stuff on everything I can, it's so addicting. :D

[mjc]

I too am of the "if am building for myself I go OEM" mindset...for the most part I don't need the extra warranty support that comes with the retail prices, besides in my location I do not have any choices or selection, so I will be shopping online anyway.....

I agree that burner products should be retail...although occasionally you will find some OEM that include software (Lite-On is one of the few that regually do).

saphalline....another one you left off....video cards.

I have found the big difference on retail/OEM vide cards is the package of "extras" (games/demos/etc) that is included. Usually if the card has TV out then the DVD playback is included with the driver disk.

[Whyzman]

Holy Smokes Saph, what a wonderful explanation! Were you getting close to maxing out on the number of characters you can enter into a single post?

Excellent detail and info...;)

[saphalline]

saphalline....another one you left off....video cards.Egads!! :eek: I can't believe I forgot that! Woe is me, I am undeserving now. :(

Yes, for video cards retail is much better. Don't even bother with OEM unless you can get it for 50% off. OEM cards have a strange tendency to be clocked lower than their retail cousins. Hmm...

Thanx for the vote of confidence, Whyzman. :D

[ZURKE]

I am running the Volcano 9 on a 2100.

The ambiant temp in the room is around 75.

The processors stays between 95 and 98 at idle.

I also have 5 case fans.

[JRussell1388]

when purchasing OEM for things like Optical drives... are the power cables usually included? Maybe a dumb question... but I haven't purchased anything OEM yet

[Budfred]

when purchasing OEM for things like Optical drives... are the power cables usually included? Maybe a dumb question... but I haven't purchased anything OEM yetPosting questions in a thread that is almost 4 years old is a good way to bother people and not get a response... Start your own thread for your questions...

The answer to this question is: it depends... If you want to buy an OEM product and it doesn't say it includes cables, it probably doesn't... If it is an external, it almost certainly has a power cord...