Amazon Ships Fake CPU Again: User Receives FX-4100 Instead of AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

In another troubling episode for Amazon, a user who ordered an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D directly from the retail giant received a fake CPU—a dated AMD FX-4100—instead. This disturbing trend highlights ongoing vulnerabilities within the supply chain and raises significant concerns among tech consumers.

According to a detailed report by Aris at Hardware Busters, the processor arrived in a sealed and presumably authentic AMD box, making it nearly impossible for the buyer to suspect any foul play initially. However, upon opening the packaging, the discrepancy became immediately clear. Unlike genuine Ryzen 7 9800X3D processors, which utilize an LGA socket design without pins, the received CPU clearly displayed a pin-grid array (PGA) layout indicative of older AMD chips.

Suspicion intensified when the user peeled off a plastic film from the CPU’s integrated heat spreader (IHS), revealing the "FX-4100" labeling—confirming it was a vastly inferior and obsolete processor from AMD's Bulldozer era.

This incident isn't isolated—previously, other Amazon customers reported similar fraudulent cases, notably involving a Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU sold by third-party sellers. However, this particular occurrence is concerning as Amazon itself directly sold the counterfeit product, marking a significant lapse in Amazon’s quality control and supply chain verification processes.

Currently, it remains unclear how such fake CPUs entered Amazon’s direct inventory, suggesting potential internal supply chain tampering. Amazon has yet to officially comment on this specific incident, though an internal investigation is expected. It’s crucial for the company to identify the source of these fakes to protect its consumer trust and reputation.

Have you experienced similar issues with online CPU orders? Share your experiences in the comments!