what does OEM mean on pc parts?

[Daniel Harvey]

Hi,

ive been looking for a sound card for my Pc. ive noticed that on a few websites they sell an oem version without the branding essentially.

is this the only difference?

thanks
Daniel

 

[WVMountie07]

Original Equipment Manufacturer

 

[greens]

OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer.
And you are sort of right! For Example; Dell doesn't make sound cards, it would be considered OEM hardware, as Dell purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer.

 

[Daniel Harvey]

thanks for the reply(s) why are they considerably cheaper than the non-oem versions?

e.g. http://www.dabs.com/products/creative-sound-blaster-z-pci-express-oem-30sb150200000-8PTC.html?q=Creative%20Sound%20Blaster%20Z%20PCI%20Express&src=16

and


http://www.dabs.com/products/creative-soundblaster-z-pci-e-high-performance-gaming-sound-card-70sb150000001-8CSF.html?q=Creative%20Sound%20Blaster%20Z%20PCI%20Express&src=16

 

[greens]

thanks for the reply(s) why are they considerably cheaper than the non-oem versions?

Because they are used!
They are pulled from machines and resold as OEM hardware.

 

[Daniel Harvey]

thanks for the reply(s) why are they considerably cheaper than the non-oem versions?

Because they are used!
They are pulled from machines and resold as OEM hardware.

ohh okay i see, shouldnt they be sold as used though? why differentiate between used and oem?

 

[WVMountie07]

Here's a good article to explain what OEM is in depth:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/oem-products-cheaper-makeuseof-explains/

 

[greens]

Welllllll....
They are system pulls so its a little different, they may have 1000 identical cards all used to varying degrees in some office setting and when they upgraded this company pulled out all the sound cards.

They can't legit sell them as Used Sound Blaster cards, because its not branded.
But Dell doesn't brand them either... So they become OEM hardware.

 

[norseman4]

ohh okay i see, shouldnt they be sold as used though? why differentiate between used and oem?

They are not used. They do not come with any extras, or at least a very limited set of extras. Retail boxes not only have the flashy packaging, they also have driver disks, optional cables and connectors and other small little things that a DIY builder may have a use for.

OEM graphics cards are just the card in just a plain white or brown box.

 

[Daniel Harvey]

really, it doesnt matter whether they are used or not, the real question it is worth saving £20 on an oem version?. especially since documentation and drivers can all be found online these days

 

[norseman4]

Here's a good article to explain what OEM is in depth:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/oem-products-cheaper-makeuseof-explains/

Very informative link. I knew it, but it explains things better than I can.

 

[greens]

ohh okay i see, shouldnt they be sold as used though? why differentiate between used and oem?

They are not used. They do not come with any extras, or at least a very limited set of extras. Retail boxes not only have the flashy packaging, they also have driver disks, optional cables and connectors and other small little things that a DIY builder may have a use for.

OEM graphics cards are just the card in just a plain white or brown box.

They are absolutely used!
To varying degrees, but all are considered USED.
From being in a PC for years, to never being installed...

If it sat on Dell or HP's build rack for so long it became out dated and sold off to the highest bidder, its still USED.

Example; Foxconn builds a board, sells it to DELL, Dell sits on it and has no use, they sell it to PCPARTSCENTER. It's most CERTAINLY considered a used item.

Shiny packages and an extra cable do not account for the price difference.

 

[greens]

really, it doesnt matter whether they are used or not, the real question it is worth saving £20 on an oem version?. especially since documentation and drivers can all be found online these days

Save the money for sure!

 

[norseman4]

really, it doesnt matter whether they are used or not, the real question it is worth saving £20 on an oem version?. especially since documentation and drivers can all be found online these days

Look to see what is included in the retail box. Those extras almost assuredly will not be in the OEM version.

If you can live without those extras, the OEM version is a good choice.

 

[Daniel Harvey]

thanks everyone for your help, I appreciate it