Retail or Oem?

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ok i know i could have googled this but i would have preferred to ask here...whats the difference in Retail or Oem?
thanks
 
Retail means you get a nice box (and a heatsink if it's a cpu). OEM means you just get the component. Also retail hardware usually comes with a longer warranty.
 
It will depend on the product, but OEM stuff will typically contain the bare minimum (ie the actual component and a cable if you are lucky) in a brown box. Retail will come in a fanicer box and might come with more cables, a driver cd, extra freebies etc.
 
i usually opt oem or 2nd hand because im tight! OEM can lead to technical difficulties but usually answers can be found via google search etc.

how often do you read any instructions?
are the freebies that come with retail really any good? good quality?

example. retail AMD processor - absolutely s*** heatsink & fan.
 
retail when it comes to operating systems means you can instal it as many times as you like and move between computers so long as you only have one instance installed at a time.

oem means its effectively and legally tied to one motherboard but can be reinstalled on the same PC

oem does not mean there is increased risk of technical difficulties - instrcutions often come with oem products i.e. my sound card.
 
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I always buy retail if it's only a few quid difference just to save myself the hassle if there's any problems with the oem.
Only oem thing I've had is my sound card, which has been fine.
 
OEM is usually cheaper but doesn't come with things like cables, with CPU's the warranty is shorter, OEM is what system builders buy in bulk like dell, HP, etc.. retail is full packaging and accessories that you would buy in a shop or as they say in america 'retail store'

I got my CPU and CD+RW OEM, no cables, really no packaging, just a box, CD+RW has a bag and a piece of paper with installation diagrams

http://www.pcguide.com/buy/des/specRetail-c.html
 
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ok thanks for the replies,i was just asking because i was going to buy my cpu Retail or Oem but wasnt sure which,looks like ill go retail...cheers guys.
 
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