Counterfeit Samsung SSDs now mimic speed benchmarks, deceiving tools like CrystalDiskInfo. Learn how to spot fakes with real-world tests and avoid scams.
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A new threat has emerged in the storage market: counterfeit SSDs that now mimic not just appearance but also speed benchmarks. Recent tests show fake Samsung 990 Pro versions can even deceive popular diagnostic utilities.
Rising memory and storage prices, driven by shortages and high demand from the AI industry, have created fertile ground for scammers. While fakes were once easily spotted by their sluggish performance, that's no longer the case. New samples deliver nearly "correct" results in synthetic tests like CrystalDiskInfo, with read speeds reaching 7255 MB/s and write speeds hitting 6090 MB/s—figures close to the genuine article.
However, under real-world loads, the deception quickly unravels. In a test transferring a large file of around 400 GB, the counterfeit drive managed just 261 MB/s and took 25 minutes, while the original SSD completed the task in 3.5 minutes at 1861 MB/s. This reveals that the inflated benchmarks only hold up in short bursts, failing under sustained writes.
Further signs of forgery lie inside the device. Instead of Samsung's proprietary controller, these fakes use a third-party Maxio MAP1602 chip and lack the DRAM cache present in authentic models. Even software tools start to raise doubts: serial numbers may appear suspicious, and Samsung's own Magician utility won't recognize the device as genuine.
Complicating matters, counterfeit packaging has grown increasingly sophisticated, making it nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. In this environment, buyers should be wary of suspiciously low prices and verify drives not just with synthetic tests but through real-world usage scenarios.