Retail or OEM

Which is better retail or OEM processors?

 

OEM processors generally have a 30-day manufacturer warranty plus whatever warranty the retailer gives it (which is nothing for most online retaillers). They come bare; you just get the processor.

Retail processors generally have a 3-year manufacturer warranty, come with a flashy box, neat-o case sticker, and stock heat sink and fan with pre-applied thermal compound.

I prefer retail because I don't overclock (so the stock HSF works fine) and I don't have to worry about warranties. I'll pay the extra $10-$20, which easily covers the cost of the heatsink and compound.

 

I agree with Da Chicken. Except for the warranty, the processors are identical.

 

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