Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy OEM

[sunmagic]

I have a question.I wanna buy this creative sound card.
But its cheaper than i think.Its only 62$US
I dont understand what is"OEM"
Cause it is cheap,how is it quality??
Thank alot your helping

[Bovon]

OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer...and when you buy OEM you do not get all of the bells and whistles you might get if you buy retail.

Many stores may buy something from a manufacturer at a great savings...if they buy a truckload. Then they package the product and sell it 'OEM'. Many times, this same store will have the retail version of the same product...with which you may get a manual, driver CD...other stuff that comes with retail products.

So, you can save some cash by buying OEM instead of retail...if you can do without the extras that come with a retail purchase. The actual OEM item is exactly the same as retail...just not as much extras. Then also, OEM has a store warranty of maybe 30 to 90 days...the retail version may have a factory warranty of up to a year (more in some cases).

[Brian48]

I've had both. It's essentially identical to the retail version in terms of performance and features, but there subtle physical differences.

1. No gold plated inputs. Just the standard, color coded tin connectors.

2. No sticker on the EMUK102 chip.

3. The construction of the PCB, although sound, lacks some of the polish as that found on the retail versions. Even the glaze on the ceramic is somewhat less "shiney" than the retail boards. Functional, but not as pretty.

4. Comes with the midi daughter card like the retail version, but the CD only contains the core drivers and basic Audio HQ/PlayCenter suite. You don't get all the other 3rd party software bundle that comes with either the MP3+ or X-Gamer.

5. Different BIOS, although I think this is just used for identification purposes.

[sunmagic]

Thank your helping,
someone told me that it hasn`t box and driver,only card.And i haven`t creative warranty.
Is that true??

[Bovon]

Yep, thats about it in a nut shell....