Beware! Fake Ryzen 7800X3D CPUs are being sold

Summary

In this video, the host connects with a Romanian enthusiast who purchased a Ryzen 7 7800X 3D CPU at a discounted price from a private seller on OLX, a marketplace similar to Facebook Marketplace. Upon testing, the CPU failed to function, and basic checks revealed no connections on the PCB. The host offers to buy it at retail price and conducts a detailed examination, comparing it with genuine CPUs. Suspicious differences in PCB color, capacitors, and heat spreader details suggest a counterfeit. Further inspection confirms it's a highly professional fake, with even the serial number matching the box. The video serves as a cautionary tale for buyers to purchase from trusted sellers.

Takeaways

• 💬 A Romanian enthusiast named Bruce Lee purchased a Ryzen 7 7800X 3D CPU for €300 from OLX, a marketplace similar to Facebook Marketplace, which typically does not offer returns or warranties.
• 🔍 Upon receiving the CPU, Bruce Lee encountered issues as it failed to power on. Basic multimeter tests revealed no connectivity on the PCB, suggesting the CPU might be non-functional.
• 🛒 The video creator offered to buy the faulty CPU at the standard retail price of €400, allowing Bruce Lee to purchase a new one with warranty from a trusted reseller.
• 🔧 The video creator conducted a visual inspection and noticed discrepancies in the CPU's appearance, such as the color of the PCB and the lack of glue on the capacitors, which are unusual for an authentic CPU.
• 📏 A comparison using a micrometer showed that the PCB of the suspect CPU was significantly thinner than that of a genuine 7800X 3D, which is not within manufacturing tolerances.
• 🔍 Close examination of the heat spreader (IHS) revealed that the font and positioning of the AMD Ryzen logo were inconsistent with the original, suggesting a counterfeit product.
• 🔨 When removing the IHS, it was discovered that the CPU underneath was fake, with no actual processor underneath, just empty space and fake chips mimicking the appearance of an actual CPU.
• 📦 The counterfeit CPU even came with an original-looking box and a serial number that matched the one on the IHS, indicating a high level of sophistication in the forgery.
• 🤔 The video creator speculates that the target of such a professional fake might be either unsuspecting end customers or potentially AMD itself, possibly for return scams.
• 💡 The video serves as a cautionary tale, advising viewers to purchase CPUs and other electronics from trusted sources to avoid counterfeit products and scams.

Q & A

What was the issue with the 7800X 3D CPU purchased by Bruce Lee?

The CPU did not function when Bruce Lee tried to start it up, and he couldn't find any connection on the PCB itself using a multimeter.

Where did Bruce Lee purchase the 7800X 3D CPU?

Bruce Lee bought the CPU on a marketplace called OLX, which is similar to Facebook Marketplace and primarily involves private sellers.

Why is there no warranty or return policy with the purchase from OLX?

The OLX marketplace mostly involves private sellers, which means there are no warranties or return policies, unlike purchases from retail stores or authorized dealers.

What was the retail price difference that Bruce Lee took advantage of when purchasing the CPU?

Bruce Lee bought the 7800X 3D for €300, which is about €100 below the typical retail price of €400 in Romania.

What did the video creator offer to do with the non-functional CPU?

The video creator offered to buy the CPU at the normal retail price of €400 so Bruce Lee could purchase a new one from a trusted reseller with warranty.

What was unusual about the capacitors on the fake CPU compared to a genuine one?

On the fake CPU, none of the capacitors were covered with glue, which is unusual and different from the genuine CPUs where the capacitors are covered.

How did the video creator verify the authenticity of the CPU?

The video creator compared the color of the PCB, the height of the PCB, the positioning and presence of capacitors, and the heat spreader details such as the shape and engravings with those of known genuine CPUs.

What was the most striking difference when the video creator compared the heat spreader of the fake CPU with a genuine one?

The most striking differences were the different font and positioning of the AMD Ryzen logo, the shape of the heat spreader, and the absence of manufacturing marks on the fake heat spreader.

What was the fake CPU's heat spreader missing that a genuine one would have?

The fake CPU's heat spreader was missing the typical manufacturing marks on the bottom edge that are present on a genuine CPU due to the forming process.

What was the video creator's speculation on the target of such a professionally made fake CPU?

The video creator speculated that the target could be either end customers or possibly AMD directly, with the latter involving a scheme to return the fake for a genuine CPU or a refund.

What precaution did the video creator advise for purchasing CPUs to avoid scams?

The video creator advised buying CPUs from trusted sources or sellers to avoid scams, as they would offer replacements or refunds if a fake product is received.