Avoid Scams: Protect Yourself from Receiving an Empty GeForce RTX 5090 GPU After Spending Over $2,000

Recently, GPU scams have reached alarming levels, as scammers increasingly deceive consumers in sophisticated ways. One particularly alarming scheme involves shipping what is supposed to be a GeForce RTX 5090 but turns out to be an empty shell.

Beware of the “Emptied-Out”GPU Scam When Purchasing the GeForce RTX 5090

The demand for high-performance graphical processing power has surged dramatically in recent months, largely driven by the needs of AI engineers searching for effective computing solutions in consumer-grade GPUs. However, this heightened demand has given rise to a disturbing trend. Scammers are cleverly repackaging existing consumer GPUs, such as modifying the RTX 4090 by attaching a misleading label suggesting a higher VRAM capacity. They achieve this by stripping vital components from so-called “donor GPUs”—essentially rendering these GPUs functional only in appearance.

In a revealing incident documented by NorthwestRepair, a user purchased an RTX 5090 for $2, 000, believing it was being offered at market price. To his shock, upon opening the package, he discovered an empty printed circuit board (PCB)—all essential components, including the GDDR7 memory modules and the main GPU chip, had been removed. Misled by the outward appearance of their GPU, many consumers mistakenly attribute the malfunction to a service issue, unaware of the more significant scam at play.

An additional red flag noticed in these fraudulent units includes damaged screws on the backplate, designed to thwart inspection by consumers. NorthwestRepair advises against tampering with these GPUs as further opening them could lead to irreversible PCB damage. Unfortunately, these scams are designed to be enticing; many listings appear legitimate with enticing MSRP prices, drawing in unsuspecting buyers who ultimately find themselves with an empty GPU box.

Protecting Yourself Against GPU Scams

So how can consumers safeguard against these deceptive practices? It’s crucial to purchase hardware only from authorized retailers or established physical store locations. When considering online marketplaces, platforms like eBay or Craigslist should be treated as a last resort to avoid potential pitfalls. Investing in GPUs, particularly high-end models, can be financially taxing, so ensuring a safe transaction is paramount.

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