Am I the Idiot? [Archive] - Overclockers Forums

Bo H.

11-05-01, 05:24 AM

I have seen a number of responders to product review boards refering to their CPU's (or other hardware) as "Retail Version" or "OEM Version." I was under the impression that there was absolutely no difference in the actual product, but just the way it was being marketed. Am I wrong on this point, and what are the pro's and cons. Technically speaking, YOU GUYS KICK GIGA BUTT!!!!

Dieni

11-05-01, 06:36 AM

As far as I know the Retail versions have a better guarantee and come in a nice package. Sometimes OEMs come with cheaper components (Videocards --> cheaper memory) etc........

Bo H.

11-05-01, 06:52 AM

Thanks for the info Dieni, I guess there's not much reason then to spend the extra $$ for retail (for CPU's, anyway).

Maximus Nickus

11-05-01, 07:24 AM

retail overclock better!
Unless its something like a dvd them oem is poo!
Afterall u can't overclock your cd yet.....can you!

Bo H.

11-05-01, 07:58 AM

Really? If this is true, then there must be a difference in the CPU itself. This an issue cause I 'm buying a XP 1800 tomorrow and although I'm a newbie to o/c'ing, I want to wring its neck for every last bit of horsepower I can get out of it!!!! :D

Maximus Nickus

11-05-01, 08:38 AM

There made out of better quality parts, ususally cpus clock better (ie better variations, avias ahjas axias etc) i would get a retail to be safe after all, 10$ or -100mhz?

Bo H.

11-05-01, 09:09 AM

:cool: Thanks Nick.

abb1

11-05-01, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by nick_cw
retail overclock better!
Unless its something like a dvd them oem is poo!
Afterall u can't overclock your cd yet.....can you!
Retail processers do not overclock better. The limitations are within your motherboard , voltage and memory. I have both a 1.4 OEM and a 1.2 Retail. both overclockwell and about the same. My 1.4 is overclocked to 1507mhz and my 1.2 is overclocked to 1330mhz. The only reason that the 1.4 will not go any higher is that with the KT266 chipset I cant set my fsb higher than 137mhz without my usb ports not functioning. The only limitations with OEM is the warranty.
Abb

SickBoy

11-05-01, 10:41 AM

Actually, for TBirds, buying OEM is advantageous because you can usually get a stepping code that you want, to get a better overclock. For Athlon XP's, we really haven't had enough experience to know what codes overclock better than others. It'll become more clear as time goes on which codes overclock better than others. At that point, buying OEM will become advantageous again.

SickBoy

JAWS

11-05-01, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by SickBoy
Actually, for TBirds, buying OEM is advantageous because you can usually get a stepping code that you want, to get a better overclock. For Athlon XP's, we really haven't had enough experience to know what codes overclock better than others. It'll become more clear as time goes on which codes overclock better than others. At that point, buying OEM will become advantageous again.

SickBoy

I totally agree! What is the advantage of retail if you get a crap stepping! The stepping codes are what make the difference.

ToeKneeATX

11-05-01, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by nick_cw
retail overclock better!
Unless its something like a dvd them oem is poo!
Afterall u can't overclock your cd yet.....can you!

funny.... my unlocked retail xp 1800+ that i got from extreme performance can only hit 1640..... most people claim 1700 is easy.... really odd it is.....

Christoph

11-05-01, 11:41 AM

If you're going to OC an XP chip, read up on it first. You have to fill some gaps and connect the L1 bridges before the thing will unlock. If you already know this, just ignore me. Just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into.

Bo H.

11-05-01, 12:09 PM

Yea, I'm aware of that, but thanks for the mention.;)

Placid

11-05-01, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by ToeKneeATX

funny.... my unlocked retail xp 1800+ that i got from extreme performance can only hit 1640..... most people claim 1700 is easy.... really odd it is.....

I also have the reatil 1800+(bought it at auction it was a lower price than any oem on pricewatch) stepping AGKGA-Y week 39.
Oc'ed to 1702 so far. (not unlocked yet)

I think its just luck of the draw on how well the cpu will overclock.

JAWS

11-05-01, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Placid

I also have the reatil 1800+(bought it at auction it was a lower price than any oem on pricewatch) stepping AGKGA-Y week 39.
Oc'ed to 1702 so far. (not unlocked yet)

I think its just luck of the draw on how well the cpu will overclock.

Placid, Very Nice! Not only did you get a good deal, you also got a great stepping. Absolutely right, it's the luck of the draw!:)

Ottoman

11-05-01, 04:02 PM

hmm, I thought when u buy retail, it comes with an HSF, and OEM is the cpu only

Christoph

11-05-01, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Ottoman
hmm, I thought when u buy retail, it comes with an HSF, and OEM is the cpu only

True AFAIK, but it comes with a stock HSF and a thermal pad (POS) between the fan and the CPU. It's much better to buy your own stuff as far as OCing is concerned.
If you don't care to OC and you don't like installing the HSF, then retail is easier. As for me, I don't like going with the defaults.

Maximus Nickus

11-05-01, 05:04 PM

Funny everyone i know wif OEM has had bad oc's, also you have a better chance of getting a ahja y or special cpus (ie special 1ghz that hit 1.6 easy), its worth retail anyway to get a better warranty, sorry if I was wrong but thats my experience.
Never buy OEM Video Cards though, they have higher ns RAM=Bad OC.
Glad I could be of help but hey you've got nothing to lose except a few $! (Very little)

Vega

11-06-01, 01:18 PM

don't mean to sound so thick, but i'm new to this:

what is the "stepping" of a cpu

Sorry, but i will not learn without these stupid questions

Vega

11-06-01, 01:35 PM

this is just a word for oc ing isn't it......now i do feel stupid

:)

Hugo 59

11-06-01, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by Vega
don't mean to sound so thick, but i'm new to this:

what is the "stepping" of a cpu

Sorry, but i will not learn without these stupid questions

If you look at this pic where it says code that is your stepping code. Now if you look in the cpu database you can find the stepping codes that people have been able to get the best overclockes with. Some OEM retailers will check the stepping codes for you when you order and you can make sure you get one of the better ones.

Christoph

11-06-01, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the pic, Hugo. It's nice to find out some new stuff occasionally. Where'd that come from, anyway?

amok

11-06-01, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by Placid

I also have the reatil 1800+(bought it at auction it was a lower price than any oem on pricewatch) stepping AGKGA-Y week 39.
Oc'ed to 1702 so far. (not unlocked yet)

I think its just luck of the draw on how well the cpu will overclock.

AGKGA - Y...?hmmm
the AYHJA - Y has been found good oc
i got the AYHJA - Y and have gotten it to post at 170?(i forgot)...it wouldn't load windows but i was able to get it there on air cooled
...

....hmmm
anyone think that maybe the "- Y" might have something to good oc-ability?

...maybe this'll turn out to be a trend...

...then too i may just be stupid (which has been shown to be true quite often in the past)

tbirdkiri

11-06-01, 07:09 PM

well at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com) they keep track of the cpu stepping market and if there is a particularly good one they will specifically sell it as that stepping...
as far as more likely to get a good stepping in retail... well thats a load of BS,
there are only a few oem specific stepping and the majority of those go to manufacturers.

i got a bad 950 and it was retail.
i got a 1.2mp and this biotch hits 1.533 easy and goes higher and my only limitation is my mobo.

Christoph

11-06-01, 11:03 PM

AFAIK, AYHJA is a Tbird stepping code.

Didn't mean to make you feel stupid. Just wanted to make sure you know.

Vega

11-07-01, 05:25 PM

Thanks guys

I obviously have too much to learn, but i've been a member of this forum for about 2 weeks now, and I have learnt so much from u guys, cheers! :p

keio

11-08-01, 06:20 AM

I have an AXIA T-bird and it was an OEM version. Someone told in this forum that AXIA is the Retail version but mine is an AXIA and an OEM version WHY?

I think that the OEM and RETAIL is the same only the retail has warranty

Is this right that the AMD changes the nonworking OEM CPU-s or iam wrong.

Newbie_Doo

11-08-01, 12:02 PM

Only the warranties are different. AFAIK, AMD does not do any binning of their production in order to assure better overclocking on their retail chips. It wouldn't make sense for them to do so, they only warrant that the chip will perform at the rated speed.

Think about it.

The performance junkies (like myself) have no need for a three-year warranty or for the retail HSF, because we are going to void the warranty about a minute after turning on the computer. The retail HSF becomes a nice piece of decorative desktop art for retaining paper in place.

Save your money, buy an OEM chip from a reputable vendor. If you want a chip that has been tested to a certain speed so you aren't throwing money after a bad overclocker, try PC NUT (http://www.pcnut.com) and enjoy the results.

Cheers!

Anthony

MrX

11-10-01, 04:06 AM

Some of you new guys:D seem to be under a slight misapprehension. To be clear : Stepping codes as such do not have any code written by AMD as to whether a certain chip is good to overclock. Each code has to do with certain batches and manufacturing plants and through overclocking experiences each batch has been tested by overclockers and the results puplished. Thus in MY personal experience AYHJA and AXIA are good for O/C and EYAHJA have blown up running standard speeds.

Nasty

11-10-01, 06:43 AM

Yes MrX you are the idiot!!!

hahahaha

amok

11-11-01, 01:04 AM

Originally posted by Nasty
Yes MrX you are the idiot!!!

hahahaha

this from a third time poster(on this board anyways)...you should be tryin to make friends not enemies
...but in the mean time don't call others idiots until you prove yourself otherwise