China is the global center of manufacturing. A consequence of this fact is an increased ability to create forgeries of different products.
Counterfeit Intel CPUs have flooded the Chinese market, according to Hong Kong-based HKEPC. The counterfeit Intel chips were sent in by their owners to authorized Intel service shops in an attempt to have the counterfeit chips replaced by authentic ones.
There are several techniques used to create the forged Intel CPUs. One method for creating forgeries is by replacing the metal lid on the exterior of the CPU, which is called an integrated heat spreader. The integrated heat spreader protects the silicon and doubles as a pathway for heat exchange between the CPU and CPU cooler. The forged integrated heat spreaders show a higher model number than they contain.
A popular forged model is the IntelCore i7-7700K. Imagine you purchased an Intel Core i7-7700K and got the performance of a Core 2 Duo chip? Ouch.
By removing the thermal paste and adding the forged IntelCore i7-7700K integrated heat spreader, counterfeiters have sold them on Amazon and AliExpress to unwitting buyers. Some buyers have reported receiving Intel CPUs without even a CPU die installed, rendering them useless.
There is no word yet on whether resellers are making the chips themselves or are being deceived by others further down their own supply chains.
Intel is refusing RMA (return merchandise authorization) requests to the dismay of the swindled, who, in their eyes, are attempting to receive a legitimate refund, repair or replacement of their CPUs during an authorized warranty period.
Bottom Line
The report from Hong Kong doesn’t indicate that the U.S. market has been affected by this ongoing scam spreading from mainland China. To be safe, use an Intel Authorized reseller to avoid these forgeries.