Hi all

i am fairly new to custom pc world, and this may be a silly question but why are there different version of the same cps e.g.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400, Yorkfield Core, Socket 775, 2.66 GHz, 1333MHz, 6MB L2 Cache, Retail
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450, Yorkfield Core, S775, 2.66 GHz, 1333MHz, 12MB L2 Cache, OEM
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450, Yorkfield Core, S775, 2.66GHz, 1333MHz, 12MB Cache, Retail

just wanted to make sure i mae the right choice before i purchase

thanks in advance

coleman

Different performance/price levels appeal to different buyers. The OEM vs retail packaging is because some experienced builders (like OEM builders) don't want to pay extra for an Intel CPU cooler and warranty.

I thought OEM CPUs from Intel still had the 3year warranty?

Nope. Intel provides no warranty at all to the end user on OEM CPUs. The vendor can provide whatever warranty they want to the end user -- often this is 30-90 days. http://www.intel.com/support/proce [...] 020033.htm

Whaaaaat?! Damn Newegg, they were lying!

Thanks for the info, learned something new.

I haven't seen newegg mislead on this - the q6600 OEM page says return for refund within 7 days, return for replacement within 30 days. There's nothing about an Intel warranty there. The boxed version lists the same 7/30 for newegg returns and also lists a 3 year parts and labor warranty from the manufacturer (Intel).

It was from about a year ago when the Q6600 came out. I distinctly remembered seeing the manufacturer warranty as 3years on the OEM CPU. Apparently Newegg corrected it some time ago, it's just I wasn't aware all these months.

The Q9400 and Q9450 are not the same chip. The key is the L2 cache. The Q9400 has half of it's cache disabled. The difference between the last two, as has been pointed out already, is retail vs OEM. Intel's naming scheme on the 45nm quad core processors is Qxx00 have 6MB L2 cache and the Qxx50 have 12MB L2 cache.

like say i am new to the world of gaming what is OEM

OEM chips do not come with a cooler or warranty. These chips are good if you already have a good aftermarket cooler and will be overclocking, since you will lose your warranty if you overclock anyway.

so as i am g oging to get a q6600 and overclock to 3ghz i should get a OEM version

thanks shortstuff_mt

OEM original equipment manufacturer

Also, OEM CPUs do not include a HeatSink/Fan.

This is usually not an issue to many folks building their own system, since they usually buy a better one anyway for OverClocking.

As long as you have an aftermarket cooler and aren't worried about the warranty or the little Intel sticker for your case, go for it. Last time I checked the Q6600 on Newegg, the OEM was only $10 cheaper than the Retail though.

the chips are the same, so there is no difference what so ever between the performance of the chips?

i read some reviews that said EOM'S tend to overclock a tiny bit better, or is that just a load of trash