Counterfeit RTX 4090 With Fake GDDR6X Memory and Dummy GPU Die Uncovered by Repair Specialist

A Convincing Counterfeit

A Russian GPU repair specialist known as VIK-off has uncovered a new counterfeit RTX 4090 scam involving a fake GPU die and swapped memory chips designed to resemble genuine components. The graphics card was purchased for 30,000 Rubles, approximately $350, as a repair project. Since the original cooling system was missing, the buyer could not verify whether the card worked before the purchase was made.

According to the specialist, the counterfeiters replicated intricate details including the labeling, GPU package, chip markings, and the compound surrounding the processor. The fake GPU die was even soldered onto the PCB using a ball grid array, making it appear as though it had been installed during the original manufacturing process.

Telling Details

Certain inconsistencies eventually gave the card away, including the color of the substrate, surface reflections, and certain lettering. After removing the fake GPU package, the repair specialist found that its contact area did not resemble that of a functional processor, and the solder mask started to deteriorate during cleaning.

The memory chips also looked genuine at first, but removing one of the packages revealed what appeared to be GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X chips used on the RTX 4090. The markings on these chips closely resembled genuine Micron memory packages, making the counterfeits even harder to identify. VIK-off suspects the PCB design could be based on an RTX 3090 Ti, though there is no conclusive proof.

Not the First Fake 4090

This is not the first time a counterfeit RTX 4090 has reached customers. Back in June, Chinese hardware shop owner Brother Zhang came across a broken RTX 4090 that had been purchased for around $222. A closer inspection revealed the card was essentially a replica with a plastic imitation of Nvidia's AD102 GPU die instead of actual silicon. The "TW 3043E2" marking on the card even indicated it was somehow manufactured in 2030.

Buyer Beware

Experts advise caution when purchasing used high-end graphics cards, especially those marked as repairable or untested. Onboard components and chip markings might look convincing, but that does not guarantee the hardware inside is genuine. Buyers should always ask the seller for proof that the card works and, whenever possible, test it in a system before handing over money.

Sources: Tomshardware