Dean,

Many times I imagine the warranty would be handled by the mail order vendor
if it came dead or died shortly thereafter, rather than hassle with any
manuf warranty.

What specific processor are you looking at? One nice thing with the latest
Intel LGA775 processors is that they have no pins! (but you have to be very
careful with the socket on the MB, because THAT is what has the pins.)

Russ Poffenberger

  

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dean K. Kukral
> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:45 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Retail vs OEM Intel Processors?
> 
> Thanks, Russ and others who replied.  I did not notice a 
> distinction at NewEgg between the two (other than the box).  
> A fan is a lot cheaper than the $150 delta, and I suppose 
> that given the infant-mortality of integrated circuits it is 
> probably safe to go with a 30 day warranty and run a burn-in. 
>  But, it is a little scary to spend that much money on 
> something that is so easily damaged.
> 
> I wonder how easy it is to get a replacement under warranty 
> of a cpu that does not show any signs of abuse.  If it does 
> not have bent pins or a sign of overheating is Intel generous 
> about replacing cpu's under warranty?  I have never had a 
> problem with one, so I can't speak from experience.  (I did 
> fry a processor once.)
> 
> Dean Kukral
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Russ Poffenberger" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Retail vs OEM Intel Processors?
> 
> 
> Hi Dean,
> 
> I believe that retail box processors come with a 1 year 
> warranty, a heatsink/fan included, and a cute little sticker 
> for the front of the case.
> Although not always the best performing heatsink/fan, it is adequate.
> OEM
> processors usually 30 days and no fan.
> 
> Other than that, there is typically no difference, so it all 
> depends on your budget. If you are replacing an existing 
> processor with a faster one, and already have a good 
> heatsink/fan, then the OEM is a good way to go. If you are 
> building a new machine, and especially if you want that cute 
> "intel inside" or "Core 2 Duo" sticker and need a new 
> heatsink/fan anyway, then consider retail.
> 
> Russ Poffenberger

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