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How to Identify Genuine vs. Counterfeit Intel CPUs: Tips and Tricks for Consumers

It’s a never-ending debate. The recent situation is that it is an issue that appears only when it is forgettable, and that it is becoming more and more intelligent. Many products that are imported and sold in bulk or for reasons such as reverse import or parallel import are sold to consumers across the ocean with multiple CPUs packed tightly on a plate called a tray.

Or, individuals who take advantage of the small size come in and sell them in small quantities. A common problem with these products is that many buyers buy them thinking they are genuine.

That’s right, ‘misunderstanding’ is where the problem begins.

Contrary to our expectations, there are various non-genuine CPUs being distributed in the market. If the purchase route is Joonggonara or Carrot, the possibility of a problem is even higher. As ‘Anavada’ has become a trend these days, direct transactions are a popular repertoire in terms of saving.

** Related article = Counterfeit Intel CPUs are becoming more sophisticated day by day… Cooler package appears, crossing the line.

The story is obvious.

“It’s a product I’ve been using well for a while.”

“I’m selling to upgrade.”

“Someone is taking care of the boxes to sell later.”

There is no product without a story.

△ In an age where direct purchases have become easier, such as Temu and Ali, scams that exploit savings are becoming more and more sophisticated. The seriousness of the situation has already been reported several times on public broadcasters. However, if you do not experience it, it is human psychology to pass it off as someone else’s problem.

Of course, this does not mean that all products are like this, but the prey of products with problems always falls prey to unsophisticated consumers. They are traded ‘disguised as genuine products’ by digging into the moments when consumers let their guard down. In fact, it is a world in which even experts can suffer if they deliberately deceive, but it is very easy to deceive the general public.

In addition, when you search for products at the lowest price online, you may come across products sold at prices so attractive that you might think, ‘If only the price were cheap, even if I didn’t have the box.’ When you start to feel impatient that if you don’t buy it now, someone else will buy it, you instinctively make a call on your smartphone.

In the end, it happens.

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# If you pay attention, you can distinguish between genuine and genuine products.

You can deceive people as much as you want, but if you keep your wits about you, you can avoid being deceived. This is because of the unique features that only genuine products have, and if you do not learn them in advance, you will inevitably overlook them. Therefore, we recommend that you keep your mind on it and remember the methods below.

** When purchasing a single CPU product: Must confirm with 3 authorized distributors (Coit, Intech & Company, PC Direct)

The recently released Intel CPU is the 14th generation. The 14th generation runs in the LGA1700 socket environment, and the socket is shared by the 12th, 13th, and 14th generations. It is very rare for Intel to unify the socket standard for three generations. However, from a consumer’s perspective, a dramatic change can be felt just by removing the 12th generation CPU and replacing it with a 14th generation CPU. Very easy!

△ (From the top) The 12-13-14 generations share the LGA1700 socket. In particular, the 13th and 14th generations have the same front and back sides, so you can abuse them as much as you want.

The problem is that if the easily upgradeable feature is exploited, a product with a problem can be sold under the guise of a specific CPU. For example, this is the case when a 12th generation CPU is processed and changed to a 13th or 14th generation. The marking on the heat spreader can be changed with a laser, and CPU recognition requires technical skills, but is manipulated by forcing the recognition ID.

This method has been repeated countless times in the past, and since the LGA1700 socket has been used for as many as three generations, criminal groups in China and other places can easily oversell low-grade CPUs or disguise them through manipulation if they want. There is ample possibility.

Even non-tampered CPUs are excluded from all warranties.

In that regard, it is wise to eradicate direct sales of LGA1700-based CPUs at Joongangara and Carrot and purchase genuine boxed products. Moreover, for the 12th generation, the price difference between used products and new products is quite large, but for the 13th and 14th generations, the difference is minimal, so it is wise to not trade.

△ Genuine CPU speaker attached to the side. The photo is a genuine sticker attached to the 14th generation Core i5-14500 CPU product distributed by Coit.

In the case of boxed products, it is essential to check the sticker attached to the side of the product. A sticker with the logos of the three authorized distributors is attached. However, non-genuine products either do not have a box, or even if there is a box, there is no sticker. We emphasize again that products without stickers are excluded from any warranty.

△ Genuine Intel CPUs can be serviced anywhere in the country. The photo shows service centers operated by three distribution companies.

** When purchasing a PC assembly: Must check whether genuine product is used and whether genuine sticker is attached.

Caution is needed if the product is sold exclusively on cheap PCs through Joongongara or Carrot. This is because there is a high possibility that parallel imported products, rather than genuine products, will be used as a way to lower the price even a little. Of course, not all of these products use non-genuine CPU. Nevertheless, there is a high possibility that it will be sold by exploiting the fact that it is not revealed in probability.

It is essential to request that the assembly store use genuine products. Additionally, stickers can be attached to assembled PCs if genuine products were used. Unless it is removed intentionally, it mostly comes off attached. The sticker attached to the side of the genuine CPU can be removed, and since it is a sticker that can be attached to the case at an assembled PC dealer.

** If you need to check the authenticity yourself, we recommend checking the genuine barcode.

Checking the product barcode is the clearest identification method. The first trick is to check the serial number on the sticker attached to the genuine CPU box. The second method is to check the serial number of the sticker attached to the case. Lastly, in cases where it is impossible to check the barcode, each product’s unique serial number is laser marked on the CPU. This is a method of directly searching for the code.

For reference, when checking the barcode through a sticker, excluding the CPU heat spreader serial, all three products of Coit (COT), Intech & Company (INT), and PC Direct (PCD) have the English company name written in front, followed by an 8-digit numeric serial number. do.

For example, if it is the 14th generation Intel Core i5-14500 CPU supplied by Coit, the sticker guides Coit. [ COT12345678 ] Guide to the cereal in this way. Or, if you have no choice but to remove the cooler and check from the top of the CPU, the serial number is a total of 8 numbers written right before the word e4. Please note that the identification text written on the sticker and the top of the CPU does not match.

For reference, the genuine serial number is You can do it in

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By Hyundong Kim Editor [email protected]

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