What is the difference between OEM and Retail

What is the difference between OEM and Retail? I am looking at newegg for a new set up and I see OEM stuff is cheaper. What is the difference?

Nothing except that the OEM doesn't come with a heatsink or accesories - there may be no manual or necessary cables included and the packaging may be very plain. The hardware itself is the same.

Retail is fancy consumer packaging and all of the necessary hardware manuals and such.

Most people always buy OEM as you don't get all the junk you don't need.

OEM vs. Retail:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=287795&highlight=oem+retail
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=285446&highlight=oem+retail
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=282698&highlight=oem+retail
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=276379&highlight=oem+retail
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=270227&highlight=oem+retail
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=268644&highlight=oem+retail
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=269736&highlight=oem+retail

The search function is very powerful.

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS! Have a click on my sig if you want to say hi to everyone.

Thank you I guess I should o9f doen a search first sorry! I shouldve known better!