New fear dropped: Amazon scammer seems to have delidded an $889 AMD chip, transplanted it on old Intel chip, and got it through return inspection
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 is not a cheap chip.
A Reddit user reported a potential scam involving an Amazon return of an expensive AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 chip. The individual shared a picture showing two chips that appeared to be identical, but upon closer examination, noticed discrepancies. The pin layout on one chip differed from the other, and most conspicuously, the absence of surface-mount device (SMD) capacitors on the top of the chip.
These capacitors are a distinguishing feature of AMD chips and were not bundled with the chip on its underside, unlike on Intel chips. The Reddit user concluded that the fake Ryzen chip likely resulted from someone delidding an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 and replacing it with an older Intel CPU. The delidding process may have caused smudging and wear on the chip's text.
Despite the apparent subtlety of the differences, knowledgeable individuals could easily spot the fraud. Given the high price of the 9950X3D2, retailing for $889 on Amazon, the scam is particularly concerning. The user expressed disappointment at the possibility of such a scam and hoped Amazon would address the issue.
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