Fake CPUs Are on the Rise: Here's How to Spot Them!

 Here's how to spot a fake CPU and avoid getting scammed.

3 ways to detect fake CPU

No one wants to buy a fake CPU. Luckily, there are a few methods you can use to check if your CPU is genuine.

1. Reality Check

Start by examining the physical appearance of the CPU. Look for mismatched model numbers, inconsistent labels, and strange fonts. The Gamer Nexus video below has some really helpful comparison images to help you out.

Check for signs of tampering, such as scratches around the edges of the CPU or on the contact points. Some scammers will re-apply a new label over the original, sometimes leaving traces of adhesive or a modified surface texture. Other scammers may polish the CPU lid before printing the fake information on it, making the lid appear much smoother and shinier than it actually is.

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Also, be wary of packaging that appears tampered with or inconsistent with the manufacturer's standard design and materials.

2. Verify CPU specifications using software tools

Verify CPU specifications using PC health check diagnostic tools, such as CPU-Z, HWiNFO, or Intel's Processor Diagnostic Tool.

For example, Intel's Processor Diagnostic Tool provides detailed information about the processor, including model, number of cores, and clock speed. The tool cross-references the processor ID with the database of genuine Intel products.

To verify the legitimacy of your CPU using this method, follow these steps:

1. and select the installer for your operating system.
2. Once installed, open the tool and check the result line "Genuine Intel". If your CPU is genuine, the status will be "Pass".

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3. Conduct performance testing

Running performance benchmarks is another effective way to detect fake CPUs. You can do this using tools like Cinebench, Geekbench, or 3DMark.

This article will guide you how to run CPU performance benchmark test using Geekbench:

1. and select the installer for your operating system.
2. Once installed, open the tool and press the Run CPU Benchmark button .

Once the test is complete, Geekbench will display your CPU model's benchmark at the top of the page. This will include both single-core and multi-core scores, as shown in the screenshot below.

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Compare the benchmark results to the benchmarks for the specific CPU model you own. For example, when running the test, the CPU returned a single-core benchmark score of 1139 and a multi-core benchmark score of 2855. The scores match when scrolling down to the Single-Core Performance and Multi-Core Performance sections.

For example, the single-core score is 1139, which is in line with the expected benchmark. This shows that the CPU tested is standard.

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If your CPU score is significantly lower than the benchmark results, this may indicate that the CPU is fake or not performing as expected.

Lesley Montoya

Update 29 August 2024