Fake Ryzen 7800X3D is alarmingly convincing, chip dissected after buyer gets scammed

Counterfeiters Targeting AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processors

WTF?! Counterfeiters are always looking for new ways to dupe unsuspecting buyers. Recently, popular tech YouTuber Der8auer uncovered a scam involving a fake version of AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor, highlighting the lengths to which these scammers will go. The fake processor had an empty PCB and fake heatspreaders, rendering it worthless.

The story began when an enthusiast thought he had found a great deal on a powerful gaming CPU through OLX, only to discover that the chip was non-functional upon installation.

Der8auer stepped in to help, reimbursing the buyer and acquiring the counterfeit chip for analysis to expose the scammers’ tactics.

Before even receiving the physical product, Der8auer noticed discrepancies in the seller’s photos. The fake chip had a different color and missing glue around the heat spreader, indicating it was not authentic.

Upon further inspection, Der8auer discovered that the counterfeit 7800X3D had a thinner printed circuit board than the genuine AMD chip, preventing proper installation in the socket. Delidding the processor revealed that it was simply an empty board with no actual silicon dies.

While the fake processor’s packaging and layout were well-done, its physical shortcomings gave it away as a counterfeit product. The average consumer may not easily spot these differences.

The scammers likely targeted the Ryzen 7800X3D due to its popularity and performance, making it an attractive option for unsuspecting buyers.