Another RAM scam hides DDR4 sticks inside DDR5 heatspreaders
We have another case of memory fraud, and it is harder to spot than the old “ new label on ancient DDR1 or DDR2 ” trick.
This time, the scam uses a DDR5-style heatspreader to disguise a different module. A Redditor “Leading-Growth-8361” said they received what was sold as Corsair Vengeance DDR5, but the outer shell was loose and the stick would not fit like DDR5. After opening it , the module inside appeared to be DDR4.
Uniko’s Hardware points out the simplest check. Look at the notch on the gold contacts. DDR4 and DDR5 have the notch in a different position, so a “DDR5” stick with an offset notch is a red flag. If the notch does not line up with your DDR5 slot, stop and verify before forcing it.
The same Reddit post also notes PCB layout clues, like a row of small MLCCs or resistors near the contacts and larger gaps around the DRAM packages that resemble older DDR4 PCB layouts. These hints can help, but they are not a single definitive test on their own. Vendors can place small components differently across revisions, and heatspreaders can hide the most obvious identifiers.
Source: Reddit
If you want to avoid getting burned, buy RAM from authorized sellers when possible, check the notch position before installing, and confirm the module’s identity in software once it boots (SPD details, capacity, speed, and part number in tools like CPU-Z or HWiNFO). If anything does not match the listing, treat it as a return, not a troubleshooting session.
The buyer says Amazon accepted the return and will refund the order. The user was worried about the current listing being about $100 higher due to recent memory price changes, but Amazon reportedly agreed to honor the original lower price for the replacement.
Source: Reddit/PCMR via Uniko’s Hardware
