Recent investigations have uncovered a counterfeit Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, highlighting the alarming prevalence of fake CPUs in the market. Gamers Nexus has meticulously compared a genuine Ryzen 9800X3D with the imitation, revealing some significant discrepancies.
Gamers Nexus Uncovers a Deceptive Ryzen 9800X3D CPU
Instances of counterfeit CPUs are not new, as there have been numerous cases where outdated processors have been camouflaged as modern high-performance chips using various deceptive methods. Notable examples include both AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel’s 13th-generation models. Unfortunately, many of these scams go unnoticed, even by major retailers.
The latest incident involved a user who purchased an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D from Amazon. Thorough investigative efforts by Gamers Nexus revealed stark differences between the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) and the substrate of the counterfeit CPU and its legitimate counterpart. Initial visual inspections indicated that the IHS exhibited signs of being a reproduction, prompting Steve from Gamers Nexus to delid the CPU for a more comprehensive analysis.
Using floss and heat at 160 degrees Celsius, the IHS was successfully removed, exposing the internal substrate. Interestingly, the IHS appeared to bulge slightly towards the substrate, creating an illusion that it housed actual components. Upon removal, it was evident that the substrate was devoid of any chiplets, including the critical Core Complex Dies (CCDs) and the I/O die.
One of the more shocking discoveries was that the printed circuit board (PCB) showed no solder points, reinforcing the notion that the substrate was nothing more than a dummy. Examining the substrate’s edges revealed further discrepancies. The number and orientation of capacitors diverged significantly from those typically found on a genuine Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Moreover, the SMD components’ arrangement was consistent with a Ryzen 5 7600, yet it lacked any chiplets.
Upon scrutinizing the IHS, glaring differences became apparent between the counterfeit and the genuine article. Variations in font styles, inscriptions, colors, and the dimensions of the cutouts on the substrate helped differentiate the fake from the real one. Unsurprisingly, the serial number of the fraudulent AMD Ryzen 9800X3D did not align with that on its packaging.
It’s crucial to note that, although reports of counterfeit Ryzen 9800X3D processors have emerged, these instances remain exceedingly rare. In fact, such cases tally in the single digits, while thousands of genuine units are sold daily by leading retailers.
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