Purchasing a top-notch processor through a retailer like Amazon can feel like a secure choice, but that’s not always the reality. A hardware reviewer recently ordered an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU from Amazon, only to discover it was counterfeit. Although the packaging appeared authentic, the actual hardware inside was entirely different from the powerful CPU expected. To make matters worse, there are still misleading listings for that same CPU on Amazon at present.
Crmaris, an unfortunate customer from HWBusters, was in search of an additional Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU for testing and decided to buy one from Amazon Germany. According to the reviewer, this CPU was advertised as sold by Amazon and described as brand new, which typically suggests it would arrive in perfect condition.
However, upon opening the box, which appeared legitimate, the disappointment set in immediately. Instead of the expected product, Crmaris found a CPU with poorly printed lettering claiming it was a Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The label misleadingly stated it was both diffused in the U.S. and Taiwan, but manufactured in China. The front’s shoddy appearance was just one of the red flags; it also sported an altered heat spreader and entirely different pin configurations.
To add insult to injury, the text on the heat spreader turned out to be a sticker. Once removed, it revealed that the CPU was actually an outdated AMD FX processor dating back to 2011. Unsurprisingly, this old model would not fit into an AM5 socket motherboard and certainly wouldn’t provide performance anywhere near that of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
Since this item was sold directly by Amazon and not as a returned product (which might have allowed a previous buyer to switch out the CPU), a thorough investigation is needed on Amazon’s part. The reviewer sought a refund and was informed it could take up to three weeks for the funds to be returned to his account.
This incident prompted me to take a look at listings on Amazon U.S., and I quickly came across one that seemed suspiciously affordable. This particular listing is sponsored and appears prominently at the top of the search results. It’s sold by a third-party vendor, lacks reviews, and is priced at $429. This price raised a red flag when compared to Newegg, where the is actually listed at $589, which aligns more closely with its true market value. (Regrettably, due to ongoing supply limitations, the 9800X3D remains quite pricey even months after its release.)
In summary, it’s crucial to exercise caution when purchasing components online. If something appears off, don’t hesitate to pursue a refund—counterfeit products can unfortunately appear just about anywhere.
