Fake AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D gets exposed: Empty PCB, sketchy heat spreader, and more
AMD recently launched the Granite Ridge desktop line of processors, but the X3D CPUs from the Raphael series are still the best processors for gaming and productivity. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D stands as a great example, but now, scammers are taking full advantage of the processor's popularity.
Der8auer obtained one of these fake Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPUs and offered an in-depth analysis to help people avoid such scams. As the YouTuber highlights, scammers are now using advanced methods to fool people. The fake processor had a matching serial number on the box, making it hard to know whether the CPU inside was real.
Moreover, the fake Ryzen 7 7800X3D looks like the real CPU at first glance. However, when compared side by side, the labels on the IHS appear washed out. Der8auer also measured the PCB and found that the fake processor was thinner, at 0.964 mm instead of 1.308 mm.
Another key difference between the two is the capacitors around the IHS. AMD uses a protective coating on the capacitors, but it's not present on the fake Ryzen 7 7800X3D. However, the fake processor does have all the capacitors positioned in the same layout as the real CPU.
Delidding the fake Ryzen 7 7800X3D revealed an interesting thing about it. The PCB has nothing under the IHS, which basically explains why it wasn't booting when tested on a rig. However, the scammers did take a long route to mimic the design of the IHS properly.
Worth noting that you may not be able to perform all these checks to determine whether you bought a real AMD Ryzen CPU. So, it's better to always purchase from reliable retailers (curr. $419 on Amazon), and if you are planning to get a second-hand CPU, make sure to test the processor properly before completing the transaction.
Source(s)
der8auer on YouTube (video embedded above) via: VideoCardz
