GeForce RTX 4090 turns out to be 3080 Ti in disguise

Northwestrepair posted a new video featuring a new GPU scamming attempt.

The GPU industry has seen several large-scale scamming attempts. These scams often follow the cryptocurrency mining craze, which leads to an overstock of graphics cards sold to unsuspecting customers. Various scam techniques are used, typically involving memory replacement (the part most affected component by cryptomining), used GPU resoldering to brand-new PCBs, or even sending cards without any components.

Some scamming attempts are easy to spot, as GPUs and memory can show severe usage signs like a yellow tint, but some scams are harder to notice. Northwestrepair took what seemed to be a brand new RTX 4090 TUF graphics card by ASUS, which even had the protective foil still on it, but underneath, they found something completely unexpected.

Fake RTX 4090 TUF, Source: Northwestrepair

After removing the GPU and inspecting it closely, it became clear that the processor labeled as AD102 was not that GPU at all. It was actually an RTX 3080 Ti GPU (GA102), which is nearly the same size (628 mm2 vs 608 mm2), so it wasn’t immediately obvious what had happened. Someone had polished the die to remove the label and laser-etched new ones.

It also became clear that at least one of the memory modules was not 2GB but a 256MB one, so it wasn’t GDDR6X memory at all. The reason why GA102 was used is because this processor is pin-compatible with AD102. The same GPU is used by the RTX 3090 Ti, often considered a test vehicle for the 4090. Naturally, one can assume that in this case, the GPU is broken and beyond repair.

Interestingly, we recently saw a reversed attempt by switching GA102 GPU with AD102 for a completely different purpose, modding and overclocking. It’s interesting how one thing can lead to something good and something completely opposite.

Fake RTX 4090 TUF, Source: Northwestrepair

So why do scammers go through so much hassle to fake RTX 4090 and sell the card? Depending on where it was purchased, buyers may be at a disadvantage when countering the claims. Furthermore, sellers may count on unaware buyers assuming they were responsible for breaking the graphics card, leading to the card being sent for independent repairs.

There’s no easy way to avoid such scams other than not buying graphics cards from abroad and through platforms that do not allow easy disputes.

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