A player buys a new processor. But only Intel support can explain that it is a fake product. The user bought an almost perfect fake.
A player reports on reddit that he bought a new Intel processor. The Intel i9-10900K costs around 400 euros and is still an excellent CPU despite its age (released in 2020).
At first glance, the processor you purchased looks like an official i9-10900k in the photo, which you can buy for around 400 euros on Amazon or other retailers. In fact, it’s just a cheap “Intel Pentium.”
Intel customer support explains this to the puzzled buyer. In the user’s email you can also see that they purchased the product on Amazon.
2D matrix on CPU shows it is a fake
How can you tell? the fake? Intel processors have a so-called 2D matrix. At first glance, this 2D matrix looks like an elongated QR code. However, the serial number of the processor is hidden behind it. You can use this to find out which processor you have and how long the warranty still runs. Intel also writes this on its official website.
Customer support explains to the shocked player that the processor he purchased is an “Intel Pentium”. These processors are significantly cheaper and you can usually get them for under 100 euros. Usually these are budget processors for inexpensive office systems.
Can you check this yourself? Yes, you can. The easiest way is actually to download Intel’s official “Reverse Logistic Toolkit” software and use it to scan the 2D matrix on your processor. Theoretically, you can also download third-party apps that have the ability to decode 2D matrices.
Does this work with AMD too? Yes, you can also check your product at AMD, but there is no 2D matrix, but “only” a code that you can compare (via AMD.com). The code is located directly on the CPU and on the retail box.
This is how you protect yourself against fake products and strange offers
Check prices: In general, suspicious prices are always a good sign. If a product is sold well below market value, you can be sure that something is wrong.
Check reviews and providers: Take a close look at who you buy from. With “Sale and Shipping by Amazon” you rarely go wrong, with other providers you should check who is selling. New sellers with few reviews are more likely to be questioned, but here too they could simply be new dealers. If the sellers don’t have a reasonable legal notice or the data is wrong or you end up in nowhere, these are better indicators.
Amazon sells the product itself: In some cases, you can also catch a counterfeit if you buy directly from Amazon. There are always users who report that other buyers buy things on Amazon and then secretly exchange the contents.
You can only protect yourself to a limited extent against this, after all Amazon offers buyer protection. But even that doesn’t always help, as a father recently discovered. Because here Amazon promptly refused to refund the fake product:
Gamer buys graphics card on Amazon, gets fake product – retailer refuses to refund until the “real” item is returned