What is the difference between Windows OEM key and Retail key? Why is OEM key so cheap?

Hello Alex, and welcome. :-)

An OEM key is cheaper since it is not transferable to another computer. Once activated on a computer, it can only be used to activate that specific computer and no other.

A retail key is transferable to another computer.

Keys are tied to the motherboard, so if you change the motherboard, it's the same as a different computer.
 
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