The Core i9-13900K has been recognized in the gaming CPU sector, but recent reports indicate an increase in counterfeit units. A Reddit user recently identified a counterfeit CPU purchased from Amazon UK. 

Though the user paid £585 (~$736.34), aligning with the suggested retail price of the genuine 24-core chip, the product turned out to be a disguised Core i7-13700K, where the integrated heat spreader (IHS) had been switched. The Reddit user did not clarify if the product was acquired directly from Amazon or a third-party seller.

Counterfeiting CPUs, including altering an IHS to present a low-tier chip as a premium model, is a longstanding issue. Other deceptive tactics include adding fake labels to the IHS, attaching IHS elements to empty PCBs, or employing laser engraving to alter IHS inscriptions. While methods to identify genuine processors exist, many consumers overlook the verification process. In the reported case, the counterfeit Core i9-13900K was obtained in April, but the deception was only recently uncovered. Differences between the Core i9-13900K and Core i7-13700K might not have been immediately evident based on the buyer's usage. Sometimes, counterfeits are so well-crafted that specialized software like CPU-Z is required for detection.

Considering the respective MSRPs of $599 and $419, the scammer's profit from this deception amounts to only $180, leading to Reddit discussions questioning the case's authenticity. A more straightforward scam might involve substituting a lower-tier chip like a Pentium or Core i3 for the Core i9-13900K. Various theories have arisen regarding the counterfeit CPU's entry into the market. Possibilities include the modified chip being a returned item, tampered with by a prior buyer to deceive Amazon, or potentially the handiwork of a dishonest employee.

Counterfeit Core i9-13900K (it's a 13700K) CPUs on Amazon UK