Welcome:
To your definitive resource for all computer related needs. We are here to help.
To your definitive resource for all computer related needs. We are here to help.
In this short article I will do my best to help you make the choice between ordering OEM parts and retail box parts. When building your own computer or even doing a routine upgrade often times we are faced with the decision between ordering OEM parts and ordering parts in retail box as they say.
This is what Intel says about their warranty
OEM processor family The OEM-provided warranty will differ in length, depending on the OEM. We recommend you consult the warranty documentation that accompanied your computer system to determine the length of the warranty period. Alternatively, please contact the manufacturer or company from which you bought your computer system, as they may be able to help.
Boxed Processor family Intel offers a three (3) year limited warranty to original purchasers of Intel boxed processors.
To me, my debate ends right here. Choosing between what is typically a 15-30 day warranty and a 3-year one, the decision is very easy for me. I mean just think of what the replacement cost for these processors are. I mean certainly they have come down quite a bit since the days of past of still your talking about several hundred dollars if that were to happen.
********************************************My disclaimer****************************************************
I have been what you could call a heavy user of computers my entire life, well as soon as I could type anyway. I have had only one processor ever go bad on me. That said it was a retail box and I had a brand new one within 2 days, sitting on my front door and I was back up and running. (Probably playing unreal tournament edition at that time) So I may be a little more biased towards using a retail box processor, but then again. I’ve got a good reason for it.
********************************************My disclaimer****************************************************
I took a look recently at two Intel processors, both retail box and OEM. Here is what I found courtesy of newegg.com
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor – OEM
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor – Retail
Ok so you see you saved a whopping $15.00. But wait there is more, with a OEM processor you will either have to provide your own fan or purchase one. A decent fan is at least $20.00. Now the retail box comes with a very nice one Intel tested and rated, tack the $20.00 onto your genius OEM purchase and now you have saved -$5.00 SWEET!
The best part is you don’t even have a retail warranty.
This is just my opinion and who knows what that’s worth but it just seems OEM processors are not worth the hassle. Not now and not ever. Maybe you have had a different experience and think I am a total idiot throwing my cash down the toilet, if so let me know at support@beyourownit.com