Customer received an outdated Ryzen 9 3900X instead of the new Ryzen 9 9900X3D from Amazon's like-new section, sparking concerns over return policy risks.
© D. Novikov
Another case of component swapping on major online platforms has sparked controversy in the tech community. A customer who ordered a "like new" Ryzen 9 9900X3D processor from Amazon received a completely different chip—an outdated Ryzen 9 3900X.
The story was shared by a Reddit user under the username Leviathon6425. He said he purchased the processor at a discount, choosing a returned item. However, doubts arose immediately upon unpacking: through a cutout in the box, he could see a chip marked "© AMD 2019," which did not match a processor slated for release in 2025.
Suspicions grew when he noticed the die shape. Processors for the AM5 socket have a distinctive integrated heat spreader design, while the installed chip clearly belonged to the AM4 family. After posting on Reddit, users quickly confirmed his guess: serial numbers revealed it was indeed a Ryzen 9 3900X.
The difference between the models is significant. While the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a current flagship selling for over $500, the Ryzen 9 3900X is now valued at around $150, despite its former top-tier status.
In practice, users believe such incidents are directly linked to Amazon's return policy. Scammers often swap contents and return items, which are then resold without thorough inspection. This means the next buyer risks getting something entirely different from what they paid for.
Overall, the picture is straightforward: many commenters advise avoiding purchases of processors and other electronics labeled "like new" and recommend sticking to trusted offline retailers with stricter return controls.