OEM vs. Retail?

thebeginning

thebeginning

New Member
I'm about to buy parts to build my first machine, and I'm a bit curious about the whole OEM thing. Are there any parts that I should avoid getting as OEM?

[NOOB]
Does OEM mean that certain items, such as installation manual and hardware (screws and such) are not included? What downsides are there to getting OEM?
[/NOOB]


I've noticed that the majority of the parts I have in my newegg cart are OEM. I went back and checked and the majority of the parts they sell are OEM, and certain things (like hard drives) I can't even find as Retail. Weird.
 
OEM is just the basic product with no reading material, cables, installation hardware etc. If you have all the necessary stuff to install the product and get it running then OEM is fine. You usually dont need drivers discs since that stuff can be found online. Drives may not come with installation screws, processors probably wont have heatsink and fan, video cards may not have crossfire or SLI cables and yada yada yada.
 
thebeginning said:
I'm about to buy parts to build my first machine, and I'm a bit curious about the whole OEM thing. Are there any parts that I should avoid getting as OEM?

[NOOB]
Does OEM mean that certain items, such as installation manual and hardware (screws and such) are not included? What downsides are there to getting OEM?
[/NOOB]


I've noticed that the majority of the parts I have in my newegg cart are OEM. I went back and checked and the majority of the parts they sell are OEM, and certain things (like hard drives) I can't even find as Retail. Weird.
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Dear thebeginning,

Generally retail and OEM products will include the exact same item. However, the retail version may be bundled with additional accessories including but not limited to software, manuals, cables and retail packaging. Occasionally the retail version will accompany a more comprehensive factory warranty so you may want to contact the manufacturer directly for details.

The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) acronym is used to denote equipment that is sold to resellers like Newegg for integration into systems. Also known as white or brown box products, these components are sold in bulk for a discounted price without any special packaging or accessories (except for possibly the necessary drivers), which allows Newegg to pass the savings along to our customers.

Primarily system builders when assembling a new computer, often eliminating the need for cables and manuals since an experienced PC enthusiast will utilize the parts, use OEM items. We recommend that if you have not personally upgraded your PC in the past or if you are a novice at PC repairs to purchase retail products so that you receive all of the available accessories and any additional manufacturer support that is provided in case troubleshooting is required.
 
Newegg is the bomb yo ...................waits for free stuff from newegg. Anyways he speaketh the truth, first time upgraders, builders, users should probably stick with retail.

By the way Newegg stop shipping DHL global mail or Fedex smartpost, LOLZ what piss poor slow services.
 
great, thanks guys!

What about the OS? What would be the possible difficulties with buying an OEM version of Vista Business instead of the Retail version? Getting OEM would save me a decent hunk of dough (~$130 i think)



Also, the hard drives I want (32mb cache) only come in OEM. Should I get a retail one somewhere else or just buy the OEM and some hardware (specify what kind of hardware if the latter).
 
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thebeginning said:
great, thanks guys!

What about the OS? What would be the possible difficulties with buying an OEM version of Vista Business instead of the Retail version? Getting OEM would save me a decent hunk of dough (~$130 i think)



Also, the hard drives I want (32mb cache) only come in OEM. Should I get a retail one somewhere else or just buy the OEM and some hardware (specify what kind of hardware if the latter).
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OEM drives are same as retail minus the sata cable that some drives come with, but mainly ur just getting retail packaging over a drive in an esd bag+bubblewrap. Vista is fine to get oem, but its tied to the motherboard that you install it on first.
 
bomberboysk said:
OEM drives are same as retail minus the sata cable that some drives come with, but mainly ur just getting retail packaging over a drive in an esd bag+bubblewrap. Vista is fine to get oem, but its tied to the motherboard that you install it on first.
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So if I got these together I'd be good? :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816027

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319



and about the OS, if it's tied to the Mobo, does that mean if the Mobo fails I have to buy a new OS?
 
thebeginning said:
if it's tied to the Mobo, does that mean if the Mobo fails I have to buy a new OS?
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Unless you replaced it with the same model. In which case online activation would probably fail, but you could call support and get an activation code verbally.

Motherboard accessory box should have 6 SATA cables in it.
 
Sometimes the fine print on the warranty is different on an OEM vs retail box, and other times certain stores will have different return policies on them as well. The OEM part itself is no different than the retail box either, other than what has already been mentioned.
 
I have just purchased OEM AMD 9850 and it came as usual in small plastic box with 2 foam pads. The problem is - it was opened and CPU was bouncing around in the bigger box. As a result - about 20 min spent with tools to fix around 20 bent pins so it will fit in the mobo - it works now. So I would prefer getting retail CPUs. Alhough I always used OEM DVD and HDD - no problems. Some OEM products may have much shorter warranty.
 
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