retail or oem opti?

Dfran · Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:35:47 Post Subject: retail or oem opti?

Do I get the retail version of Opti 175 for 230 w/ stock heat sink, or- do I get the OEM version for 180, and spend 50 on tricky Zalman heatsink/fan? This stock heat sink is good, right? Any other reason to buy Retail? I will be OC'ing so that'll void the warranty anyway I think.
thanks

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:38:59 Post Subject:

The best reason for the retail is the longer warranty, check that fine print and see what the difference is. $50 is a good chunk, so it may be worth it to save the money and get a better cooler. The stock unit may be good, but not good for serious enthusiasts.

**Modulok** · Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:56:11 Post Subject:

what AMD don't know will only help you in warranty requests... Wave

Dfran · Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 21:58:14 Post Subject:

It says 3 year parts and labor for retail version, but doesn't say anything for OEM version, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103583
Does that mean none?

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:01:39 Post Subject:

It is probably short, and directly with AMD (more of a pain). But, if you look on the left you can buy warranty coverage... 1 year is 30 dollars! Might as well get 3 years and a cooler!

BeerCheeze · Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:44:56 Post Subject:

OEM = No AMD Support. Only what the retailer gives you. I believe NE is 90 days.

Dfran · Posted: Fri, 05 Jan 2007 11:53:51 Post Subject:

I've got a pretty sweet Zalman 120mm cooler now. I'll probably just stick with that one. In which case the OEM sounds better, except the warranty part. Although, that Zalman cooler is so heavy, it's ridiculous, I feel like it doesn't attach that well either, with just the two screws. It's the big copper, mushroom looking one. Does anyone have that cooler?

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

Yup, OEM is usually 30 or 90 days through who you buy it from.

The AMD warranty, they put the SN on the heatsink, so you have to have that if you ever have to call in for the warranty.

Which is better for you, only you can really say. CPU's don't USUALLY go bad, unless you're constantly changing, overclocking, or you let your system get overheated.

I tried to call in once for a Retail CPU, that I did not have the HS, and was refused warranty work.

I have the Zalman Fatal1ty cooler, and it attaches well, and does not move. I have no concerns about it falling off.