I'm currently updating my HTPC, and moving to a Core 2 Duo config. Looking at today's Fry's ad, I see they're running the typical CPU/Mobo combo deals. Good price for the CPU, but sometimes not so hot a mobo. I already have a mobo, and was just looking for a deal on a CPU.
CompUSA is running a 20% discount on their in-stock CPU's. All the local store has left is 2 E6420's @ $167.20 ea., pre-tax. Perusing Fry's ad, they've got a deal on a E6550 with your choice of ECS, or Asus mATX mobo.
E6550 and Mobo $158
I figure, what the heck. I'll brave the lines to pick up the CPU, and then sell the mobo on eBay or something.
Anyways, I get to the store, do the usual transaction with the sales associate, and then head on over to the mile long checkout line. I give the check out girl the voucher for the CPU/Mobo combo. She takes it over to the cage, to get the E6550. When she comes back, she's holding a retail Intel CPU box, with a Fry's "Returned item" sticker on the side. She lays it down sticker side up, and says it's the last one they have. Hmmmm :/ Well, if it's the last 1, then I gotta take, and if it's fried I'll just bring it back. I didn't take a close look at the time, as all my minds eye was focused on/seeing was the orange sticker. I hand the lovely lady my CC, she bags everything up, and out the door I go.
As soon as I get home I decided to take a closer look at the CPU to make sure it wasn't damaged, or something is wrong. I take the box out of the bag, and flip it over. At 1st I'm surprised, but figured someone just returned the E6550 in the wrong box, but after closer inspection this is what I found:
You can see the orange returned item tag here.
Flip the box over, and.....
WTF? Verifying the UPC/Label...
It's a Q6600, and not the E6550!!
Doh!
I haven't taken it out of the box, but it's definitely a Q6600 SLACR.
Not sure where the mix up occured on Fry's part, but I'll take it!
No way my HTPC is going to have any issues crunching HD DVD/Blu-Ray content now!
w00t!
A Q6600 for less than $175 after taxes. Oh, and I still have the mobo to boot. Not that I'll get much for it, but hey an extra $20-30 added back from the original purchase gives me a Q6600 for <$150.
CompUSA is running a 20% discount on their in-stock CPU's. All the local store has left is 2 E6420's @ $167.20 ea., pre-tax. Perusing Fry's ad, they've got a deal on a E6550 with your choice of ECS, or Asus mATX mobo.
E6550 and Mobo $158
I figure, what the heck. I'll brave the lines to pick up the CPU, and then sell the mobo on eBay or something.
Anyways, I get to the store, do the usual transaction with the sales associate, and then head on over to the mile long checkout line. I give the check out girl the voucher for the CPU/Mobo combo. She takes it over to the cage, to get the E6550. When she comes back, she's holding a retail Intel CPU box, with a Fry's "Returned item" sticker on the side. She lays it down sticker side up, and says it's the last one they have. Hmmmm :/ Well, if it's the last 1, then I gotta take, and if it's fried I'll just bring it back. I didn't take a close look at the time, as all my minds eye was focused on/seeing was the orange sticker. I hand the lovely lady my CC, she bags everything up, and out the door I go.
As soon as I get home I decided to take a closer look at the CPU to make sure it wasn't damaged, or something is wrong. I take the box out of the bag, and flip it over. At 1st I'm surprised, but figured someone just returned the E6550 in the wrong box, but after closer inspection this is what I found:
You can see the orange returned item tag here.
Flip the box over, and.....
WTF? Verifying the UPC/Label...
It's a Q6600, and not the E6550!!
Doh!
I haven't taken it out of the box, but it's definitely a Q6600 SLACR.
Not sure where the mix up occured on Fry's part, but I'll take it!
No way my HTPC is going to have any issues crunching HD DVD/Blu-Ray content now!
w00t!
A Q6600 for less than $175 after taxes. Oh, and I still have the mobo to boot. Not that I'll get much for it, but hey an extra $20-30 added back from the original purchase gives me a Q6600 for <$150.