Fake CPU Warning: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Scam Processors Have False Heat Spreaders and Empty PCBs

Der8auer recently exposed scams on buyers selling fake Ryzen 7 7800X3D. They recently made a purchase from a victim who, regrettably, was sold a counterfeit CPU.

After extensive research, it has come to light that fraudulent individuals are offering AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processors equipped with phony heat spreaders and empty PCBs. Despite that, it is important to note that this information will only become apparent after the purchase. 

Through a well-known platform called OLX, the processor was sold in the second-hand market in Romania. This platform doesn’t allow people to return items purchased from individuals. However, there are security measures in place that let customers file a counterclaim if the product delivered is counterfeit, making sure that the scammer doesn’t receive their money.

It has been observed that certain buyers may attempt to cut costs by negotiating a deal directly with the seller outside OLX. Nevertheless, this approach may result in the loss of consumer protection. 

Here’s how to tell the difference between the fake and real 7800X3D processors:

• The product is fake if there is a lack of glue on the capacitors surrounding the IHS (integrated heat spreader).
• Different color: when compared with a real 7800X3D processor, the fake processor had more of a bluish color as compared to the original green hue color. However, this doesn’t apply to every processor, as 9000 CPUs had the same blue color. So keep other factors in mind as well.
• The fake IHS designs are inferior in quality.
• The thickness of the package is reduced to 0.964 mm instead of 1.308.
• You can also make distinctions by seeing the alignment of the labels. They are misaligned with the wrong font and the wrong label.