Hi. I want to buy a FX-53 cpu but am not sure whether the OEM or Retail version will suit my needs better. Does anyone know the exact differences between the two products (including any documentation, different packaging etc. between the two).

As of now I am aware of these differences:

1. OEM does not come with a fan while retail does (not sure of the model fan)
2. OEM does not come with a 3-year AMD warranty while retail does.
3. Retail comes in brightly colored packaging sporting the AMD64 logo. I am not sure what the OEM comes in.

Also I am aware of these similiarities:

1. OEM and Retail CPU dies are identical (however I cannot confirm this)

So please help me choose between the two. Why spend extra money for retail when I don't need the extra stuff (PS monarch offers a 3-year extended warranty on the FX-53 OEM for $15)
Also, what is the best heatsink/fan combo to pair with the FX-53 + MSI k8n neo2 platinum? Take into consideration I will be moderately overclocking my system.

Retail comes with a HSF, 3-year warranty, packaging, instructions, and a case badge.

OEM comes in a little junky generic package with ABSOLUTELY nothing.

If you can get that warranty on the OEM and you are planning on using a 3rd party cooler, I would go OEM.
I got my 3400+ in Retail so that I could get the warranty (even though I am breaking this by using a Venus 12, if anything goes wrong, I was just using the stock one all along...).

QUOTE (andrewzorn @ Sep 12 2004, 05:03 PM) Retail comes with a HSF, 3-year warranty, packaging, instructions, and a case badge.

OEM comes in a little junky generic package with ABSOLUTELY nothing.

If you can get that warranty on the OEM and you are planning on using a 3rd party cooler, I would go OEM.
I got my 3400+ in Retail so that I could get the warranty (even though I am breaking this by using a Venus 12, if anything goes wrong, I was just using the stock one all along...).
QUOTE I got my 3400+ in Retail so that I could get the warranty (even though I am breaking this by using a Venus 12, if anything goes wrong, I was just using the stock one all along...).

I bought my a64 fx53 retail even though hsf goes in parts box.

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