Need assistance with your mystery processor? Let me help!
Need assistance with your mystery processor? Let me help!
Hi everyone, I'm facing some issues with my processor right now. I purchased an i9 10900k used on LeBonCoin (French Craigslist), and it came in its original packaging. Initially, everything looked normal. After installing it into my Gigabyte Z490M gaming motherboard, the BIOS identified it as an i7-10700K. I updated the BIOS and verified compatibility on Gigabyte's site, but even though the 10900K is technically compatible, it was still shown as an i7-10700K. I assumed I'd been scammed and the chip was faulty since it seemed to overheat a bit. To confirm, I disassembled it and found the IHS was already opened—it looked like it had been damaged. Then I looked up images of both 10900K and 10700K dies online. Surprisingly, my CPU was definitely a 10900K, not a mix-up. I even measured the die with calipers, and the patterns were completely different from the 10700K. Windows only displays 8 cores, but the 10900K has 10. I ran UserBenchmark and got results for the 10700K. What are your thoughts? If this CPU is faulty, why would it be recognized as a different model? Could my motherboard be defective and only show 8 cores? I've tried everything to figure this out, but it's really puzzling. Thanks ahead! P.S.: Added a screenshot of the CPU after disassembly. EDIT: Realized I misread some die details—it was just a scam.
The 10700K and 10900K use identical stepping and silicon dimensions. Both chips are built on the same die.
You mentioned reviewing the dimensions of both dies, but it looks like I might have misunderstood something... The picture I had in mind was around a 11700k... I’m sorry for wasting your time—it seems this is just a typical scam. Thank you nonetheless.
It's a 10,700k. The dies appear to be the same. Where did you notice they weren't?
It's fine, just found what I needed. No images available for the 10.7k model, only the 10.9k version. Edited on June 21, 2021 by Mnky313 no stop emoji cringe
Sorry to hear about this. You purchased a used CPU from Craigslist, which turned out to be an older model like an I7 10700K with an upgraded I9 10900K inside. That’s not ideal. Generally, avoid buying used CPUs—they’re often damaged or faulty and don’t justify the risk. Always verify the part before buying. If you’re unsure about the authenticity, don’t buy from Craigslist unless you’re certain you won’t use it. Your CPU might overheat if the thermal paste was applied incorrectly, but that’s not the only issue. Make sure to report the seller with evidence of the wrong model.
I have different views on this. I suggest purchasing used parts, but only if you can verify them. Alternatively, using PayPal on eBay works. The amount of low-quality items I've encountered there is surprising, yet I've also found some valuable deals. The biggest frustration is dealing with scams or fake products—you end up with nothing after getting your money back :p