> -----Original Message-----
> From: PCBUILD - PC Hardware discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of William Hornkohl
>
> Could someone explain what the difference would be between a retail boxed
> CPU and an OEM CPU. I found a company that is selling the OEM Pentium 233
> MMX for $140.00 without a cooling fan and a retail boxed Pentium 233 MMX
> with a cooling fan for $206.00. It seems like there has to be
> allot more to
> it than just a fan.
>
Bill,
There is a lot more to it than just the fan, it's called support
and warranty. An OEM part is intended to be installed in a system
and then supported by the system's manufacturer. A retail part
is fully supported by Intel.
Just like with Windows. If you have 95A (the retail version)
you can call and get help from MS. If you have 95B (the OEM
version) MS will not give you any help, they will tell you to
call the system manufacturer.