In a recent video, tech YouTuber Roman Hartung, also known as “der8auer,” exposed a growing issue with counterfeit AMD Ryzen CPUs, highlighting an instance where he encountered a fake AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D that could easily deceive anyone not paying close attention.
Hartung received the counterfeit CPU from a viewer who had purchased it on OLX, an online marketplace similar to Facebook Marketplace, for around €300—a tempting discount compared to the usual €400 price tag. However, after installing the CPU, the viewer’s PC failed to start, raising suspicions about its authenticity. Upon closer examination, Hartung confirmed that the CPU was indeed a fake.
In his video, der8auer meticulously compared the counterfeit CPU with a genuine one, revealing several key differences. At a quick glance, the two CPUs appeared nearly identical, but Hartung quickly noticed discrepancies such as the color of the PCB (printed circuit board) and the absence of adhesive on the capacitors. The counterfeit PCB was also significantly thinner, measuring less than 1mm in height compared to the original’s 1.3mm.
More subtle variations were present as well, including differences in the shape of the heatspreader and the labeling—details that would only stand out to a trained eye. The fake heatspreader was easily detachable, revealing an almost empty circuit board beneath it. To mimic the real CPU, the counterfeiters had even placed capacitors on the board and used adhesive to give the fake heatspreader the correct height.
The counterfeit packaging was also impressively similar to the original, making it difficult for buyers to spot the difference at first glance. As a result, Hartung advised consumers to be especially cautious when purchasing CPUs from third-party platforms, where counterfeit products like this one are more likely to appear.
