How to determine if processor is a fake?

[no_h8_m8]

Hi. I recently bought a new i5 4690 from a rather shady area. Now, im worried that the chip is a fake, or an imitation intel chip. Like, one that is made to appear like an i5 by intel, but really isn't an orginal intel product. How can i determine if my i5 4690 is genuine? Also, i'd like to know how to determine if a chip is an engineering sample or a standard product

 

[sirstinky]

It's hard to fake a CPU. For the newer CPU's the heat spreader is soldered to the die (the actual chip) so it'd be really hard to remove the spreader, which has the model number/part number on it laser-etched on. The only way I can think of faking it is to grind off the laser-etching or somehow being able to desolder the heat spreader from the die and switch it with a different Intel CPU. As far as determining whether it's genuine, you look on the spreader and compare the part numbers, it should say something like "core i5-xxx" and you can also check when the computer boots up. It will give you some basic system info like memory and cpu info on the POST screen. Engineering samples will traditionally have something like "Intel confidential" on the spreader.

 

[no_h8_m8]

It's hard to fake a CPU. For the newer CPU's the heat spreader is soldered to the die (the actual chip) so it'd be really hard to remove the spreader, which has the model number/part number on it laser-etched on. The only way I can think of faking it is to grind off the laser-etching or somehow being able to desolder the heat spreader from the die and switch it with a different Intel CPU. As far as determining whether it's genuine, you look on the spreader and compare the part numbers, it should say something like "core i5-xxx" and you can also check when the computer boots up. It will give you some basic system info like memory and cpu info on the POST screen. Engineering samples will traditionally have something like "Intel confidential" on the spreader.

anyway to find out if it's genuine without having to remove the chip from the computer? i dont know how to assemble computers at all 🙁. when my computer boots up it just shows the ASUS logo, nothing else....

 

[sirstinky]

It's hard to fake a CPU. For the newer CPU's the heat spreader is soldered to the die (the actual chip) so it'd be really hard to remove the spreader, which has the model number/part number on it laser-etched on. The only way I can think of faking it is to grind off the laser-etching or somehow being able to desolder the heat spreader from the die and switch it with a different Intel CPU. As far as determining whether it's genuine, you look on the spreader and compare the part numbers, it should say something like "core i5-xxx" and you can also check when the computer boots up. It will give you some basic system info like memory and cpu info on the POST screen. Engineering samples will traditionally have something like "Intel confidential" on the spreader.

anyway to find out if it's genuine without having to remove the chip from the computer? i dont know how to assemble computers at all 🙁. when my computer boots up it just shows the ASUS logo, nothing else....

I see. To get into the BIOS which is like the settings for the motherboard, you need to hit the "del" or "esc" key when it's booting up. I think for ASUS and ASRock it's the "esc" key. Once you're in there, go to the system setup or configuration page menu, or it should just show you as soon as you get into the BIOS after hitting esc or del. It will be something like CPU configuration. Let me know if that works!

 

[no_h8_m8]

It's hard to fake a CPU. For the newer CPU's the heat spreader is soldered to the die (the actual chip) so it'd be really hard to remove the spreader, which has the model number/part number on it laser-etched on. The only way I can think of faking it is to grind off the laser-etching or somehow being able to desolder the heat spreader from the die and switch it with a different Intel CPU. As far as determining whether it's genuine, you look on the spreader and compare the part numbers, it should say something like "core i5-xxx" and you can also check when the computer boots up. It will give you some basic system info like memory and cpu info on the POST screen. Engineering samples will traditionally have something like "Intel confidential" on the spreader.

anyway to find out if it's genuine without having to remove the chip from the computer? i dont know how to assemble computers at all 🙁. when my computer boots up it just shows the ASUS logo, nothing else....

I see. To get into the BIOS which is like the settings for the motherboard, you need to hit the "del" or "esc" key when it's booting up. I think for ASUS and ASRock it's the "esc" key. Once you're in there, go to the system setup or configuration page menu, or it should just show you as soon as you get into the BIOS after hitting esc or del. It will be something like CPU configuration. Let me know if that works!

i accessed the bios. i don't know if i went to the correct system set up or configuration page, but i saw "Intel core i5 4690" in several info areas in the bios. does that already mean the cpu is genuine? also, how come it says that the max frequency is 3500mhz, but the target frequency (or something like that) is 3900mhz?

 

[synphul]

Intel chips like the 4690 have something called 'turbo boost' technology. It's designed to give the cpu a little extra power when it's under load. For the 4690 it's 3.5ghz with a turbo speed of up to 3.9ghz. It depends how many cores are active, by default if only one core is heavily loaded it will go to 3.9ghz. If 2 cores are heavily loaded they'll go to 3.8ghz and if 3 or all 4 cores are maxed it will go up to 3.7ghz. (3900mhz is 3.9ghz)

 

[JamesAndersonJr]

Intel has a diagnostic tool specifically for this purpose:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/19792/Intel-Processor-Diagnostic-Tool

In the detailed description it says:

"Purpose"

"The purpose of the Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool is to verify the functionality of an Intel® microprocessor. The diagnostic tool checks for brand identification, verifies the processor operating frequency, tests specific processor features, and performs a stress test on the processor."

Then There's also this:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/7838/Intel-Processor-Identification-Utility-Windows-Version

...which shows you all other info about your CPU.

 

[baha_timimi]

I think it is impossible to make a fake CPU?
May be sold used CPU as new is possible ?
But fake .... no.

 

[Wolfshadw]

This thread is over three years old.

Closing.
Wolfshadw
Moderator

 

[mkaafy]

Before this thread gets closed, it might be helpful to say that I've seen some not to be trusted sellers have printed boxes quite close to the original ones to put intel used CPUs with a stock fan inside them. If it is a Boxed Intel processor you are buying, the partial serial number and batch number printed on the label must match with what you see on respectively, the processor and the edge of the processor. Intel has a clear guide about this that every buyer should know before proceeding to purchase.
You should have checked the return policy of that shady seller before attempting to buy, too.