OEM or retail?

tech_no · 04-02-2009, 03:45 PM

I am about to order my processor and all my other new parts. My processor is going to be an Intel i7 920 and my motherboard will be the ASUS P6T Deluxe v2.
I will not need the stock cooler as I intend to use a Noctua SE 1366 NH-U12P.
My question is: am I best to buy the OEM version of the processor? There is nothing else with the retail version is there, other than the cooling fan?
My other question is: the Noctua special thermal paste that comes with their fan. Is it as good as Artic Silver 5 Premium Thermal Paste or am I best to stick to the latter?
I do intend to overclock.
Thank you.

**wrench97** · 04-02-2009, 03:47 PM

The only difference is the box and the heat sink/fan asmb with the OEM vs the Retail Cpu.
Can't answer on the paste never used the Noctura.

tech_no · 04-02-2009, 04:05 PM

Thanks wrench97. I guess I can save a bit of money by ordering the OEM version.

**linderman** · 04-02-2009, 07:13 PM

3 year warranty period = retail boxed cpu OEM = cant be sent back to Intel for warranty

tech_no · 04-03-2009, 01:50 AM

Thank you linderman. I couldn't do without the warranty, so its looks like that has decided me on the retail version.
Have you or anyone else tried the Noctua thermal paste?
I know the Arctic Silver 5 is what most of you use.

John Von Trapp · 04-03-2009, 05:40 AM

I use the noctua stuff, and find it is more than adequate for everyday use, as well as the small amount of overclocking that I do. I personally think its good. However, I have never tried the Arctic Silver stuff.

Tumbleweed36 · 04-03-2009, 06:13 AM

I think it is safe to say that either paste will work, but there is no paste out there that matches the performance of Artic Silver IMHO.

BTW, another reason to consider the retail over the OEM, if you build a new machine or buy another one, with the retail, you can move that OS to the new machine. With OEM, it is specifically for the machine you initially put it on and you can not transfer it to a new machine.

**linderman** · 04-03-2009, 06:30 AM

I personally havent had more than 1 maybe???? 2 cpu's that have gone bad in the last 5 years that werent the fault of owner abuse (which would not be covered by warranty anyway)

so in reality I would opt to save the money and go with the OEM cpu, but its a decision best made with all the info in front of you.

tech_no · 04-03-2009, 08:38 AM

Thank you for your info John Von Trapp.
I see you have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit. I am going to buy Vista Home Premium 64 bit for this build. I was wondering if you have had any trouble with software not being compatable with the 64 bit version? I use avast anti virus, spybot S & D, ccleaner, AdAware and AVG Ani Rootkit. Would it be compatable with those?

tech_no · 04-03-2009, 08:43 AM

Thank you for your good point about the retail version Tumbleweed36.
I think I will buy the Artic Silver thermal paste; a lot of people say it is the best.

tech_no · 04-03-2009, 08:49 AM

Thank you for your answer again linderman. I think I will go for the retail version, just to be on the safe side, but I do understand what you are saying, that its highly unlikely anything will go wrong with the processor.

tech_no · 04-13-2009, 01:37 PM

I have just read an interesting review on Noctua thermal paste versus Arctic Silver and even Thermaltake thermal paste. I thought some of you might be interested in reading it.

http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/no...thermal-paste/

**wrench97** · 04-13-2009, 01:58 PM

I've read a couple of other reviews looks like a good thermal paste just harder to find, at least in the states.

04-02-2009, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
tech_no Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Plymouth in Devon Posts: 173 OS: Windows XP Home with SP3 My System	OEM or retail? I am about to order my processor and all my other new parts. My processor is going to be an Intel i7 920 and my motherboard will be the ASUS P6T Deluxe v2. I will not need the stock cooler as I intend to use a Noctua SE 1366 NH-U12P. My question is: am I best to buy the OEM version of the processor? There is nothing else with the retail version is there, other than the cooling fan? My other question is: the Noctua special thermal paste that comes with their fan. Is it as good as Artic Silver 5 Premium Thermal Paste or am I best to stick to the latter? I do intend to overclock. Thank you.

04-02-2009, 03:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,469 OS: Win7	Re: OEM or retail? The only difference is the box and the heat sink/fan asmb with the OEM vs the Retail Cpu. Can't answer on the paste never used the Noctura. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

04-02-2009, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
tech_no Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Plymouth in Devon Posts: 173 OS: Windows XP Home with SP3 My System	Re: OEM or retail? Thanks wrench97. I guess I can save a bit of money by ordering the OEM version.

04-02-2009, 07:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: OEM or retail? 3 year warranty period = retail boxed cpu OEM = cant be sent back to Intel for warranty __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

04-03-2009, 01:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
tech_no Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Plymouth in Devon Posts: 173 OS: Windows XP Home with SP3 My System	Re: OEM or retail? Thank you linderman. I couldn't do without the warranty, so its looks like that has decided me on the retail version. Have you or anyone else tried the Noctua thermal paste? I know the Arctic Silver 5 is what most of you use.

04-03-2009, 05:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
John Von Trapp Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 78 OS: Vista Ultimate SP1 64 Bit My System	Re: OEM or retail? I use the noctua stuff, and find it is more than adequate for everyday use, as well as the small amount of overclocking that I do. I personally think its good. However, I have never tried the Arctic Silver stuff. __________________ Photoshop User. Crysis Player. Prime95 abuser. I like things that can flog my system :p

04-03-2009, 06:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,647 OS: XP Professional	Re: OEM or retail? I think it is safe to say that either paste will work, but there is no paste out there that matches the performance of Artic Silver IMHO. BTW, another reason to consider the retail over the OEM, if you build a new machine or buy another one, with the retail, you can move that OS to the new machine. With OEM, it is specifically for the machine you initially put it on and you can not transfer it to a new machine. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 04-03-2009 at 06:15 AM.

04-03-2009, 06:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: OEM or retail? I personally havent had more than 1 maybe???? 2 cpu's that have gone bad in the last 5 years that werent the fault of owner abuse (which would not be covered by warranty anyway) so in reality I would opt to save the money and go with the OEM cpu, but its a decision best made with all the info in front of you. __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

04-03-2009, 08:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
tech_no Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Plymouth in Devon Posts: 173 OS: Windows XP Home with SP3 My System	Re: OEM or retail? Thank you for your info John Von Trapp. I see you have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit. I am going to buy Vista Home Premium 64 bit for this build. I was wondering if you have had any trouble with software not being compatable with the 64 bit version? I use avast anti virus, spybot S & D, ccleaner, AdAware and AVG Ani Rootkit. Would it be compatable with those?

04-03-2009, 08:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
tech_no Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Plymouth in Devon Posts: 173 OS: Windows XP Home with SP3 My System	Re: OEM or retail? Thank you for your good point about the retail version Tumbleweed36. I think I will buy the Artic Silver thermal paste; a lot of people say it is the best.

04-03-2009, 08:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
tech_no Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Plymouth in Devon Posts: 173 OS: Windows XP Home with SP3 My System	Re: OEM or retail? Thank you for your answer again linderman. I think I will go for the retail version, just to be on the safe side, but I do understand what you are saying, that its highly unlikely anything will go wrong with the processor.

04-13-2009, 01:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
tech_no Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Plymouth in Devon Posts: 173 OS: Windows XP Home with SP3 My System	Re: OEM or retail? I have just read an interesting review on Noctua thermal paste versus Arctic Silver and even Thermaltake thermal paste. I thought some of you might be interested in reading it. http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/no...thermal-paste/

04-13-2009, 01:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,469 OS: Win7	Re: OEM or retail? I've read a couple of other reviews looks like a good thermal paste just harder to find, at least in the states. __________________ Power Supply and Selection