What Is A Tray Processor?
What Is A Tray Processor?
A tray processor (also known as an OEM processor) is sold in bulk to system integrators/manufacturers that use the processors in systems manufactured by companies such as Dell, Lenovo, Asus. A tray processor lacks the retail packaging and extras like a cooler. To keep costs lower, a tray processor also comes with a shorter warranty. Moreover, the warranty process of a tray processor is solely the responsibility of the system integrator or the purchaser of the bulk and not the manufacturer's. As a result of the aforementioned reasons, manufacturers are able to offer competitive prices on tray processors due to the large volumes that they are sold in and without the direct customer support element being associated with what would normally be the process with a retail boxed processor.
What Are The Differences Between A Tray And Retail Processor?
A tray processor and a boxed retail processor mainly differ in packaging and warranty. A boxed retail processor is sold individually, comes in branded packaging, and typically includes a cooler for selected models. It also comes with a full three-year manufacturer warranty which is reflected in the price.
A tray processor doesn't come in retail packaging and doesn't include a cooler. Tray processors come with a shorter warranty by default, and this therefore makes them cost a fair bit lower than a retail boxed processor.
Are There Performance Differences Between Tray And Retail Processors?
Both tray & retail boxed processors share the same product specification; in other words, both consist of exactly the same silicon specification without any differences or discrepancies. One might think that a cheaper alternative may have some shortcomings, but in this instance of performance, efficiency & overall quality, there are zero differences when it comes to the processor itself. A Ryzen 7 9700X retail and Ryzen 7 9700X tray may well have been manufactured on the same production line, as there are no discernible differences physically between the two.
Take for example, these 2 images of a retail & tray Ryzen 7 5700X3D:
The Ryzen 7 5700X3D has absolutely zero differences apart from the batch & serial numbers. Both CPUs share the same core (pun not intended, but let's roll with it) product ID: 100-000001503
Taking a look at a newer processor from AMD, on the Ryzen 7 9700X specification page under where it says "Product IDs", there AMD lists the 2 versions that this processor is available in: boxed & tray.
Almost all, if not all modern processors are sold in tray variants for various business reasons that benefit both AMD & its customers purchasing the larger volumes at discounted prices versus retail versions.
At PC Tec UK, we believe that our tray processors offer great value and the same great performance as their retail equivalents, and therefore, they are a great choice for first time PC builders or seasoned PC building pros.
We hope you find the perfect processor to power your next build!