Heh... the packaging I don't really think matters too much, as far as keeping the goods safe.
My E4400 was retail. Even though it was in a box, in another box with peanut foam, the CPU was clearly visible in plastic.
I recently got my Q6600 OEM, and it was in a plastic box with foam padding on both sides, with the cap to protect the gold pad, not to mention it was also in a bigger box filled with peanut foam. :lol:
As far as warranty, I've never used the warranty on any CPU's I've had in the past.
Wonder if someone should do a poll just to see how many people actually depend on the warranty, and if it was physical damage / OC'ing / or maybe something totally... stupid (like showing his gf the CPU and he dropped in his drink or something?) :lol: