Ryzen 9850X3D Order Mix-Up: User Receives Intel Core i3-3220s Instead

AMD's gaming dominance, solidified by the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and its successor the 9800X3D, left Intel without comparable options. The subsequent release of the slightly faster Ryzen 9850X3D further cemented this lead. These processors are highly sought after by gamers. However, a recent Amazon order turned disappointing when a customer received two Intel Core i3-3220 processors instead of two Ryzen 7 9850X3Ds.

The Ryzen 9850X3D wasn't strictly necessary for AMD's market position, as existing models already outpaced Intel. It was marketed towards enthusiasts prioritizing maximum gaming frame rates, and it sold exceptionally well, even reaching the top 3 global sales. Despite a 1.4% performance increase over the 9800X3D at the cost of 27% higher power consumption, it remains a popular choice.

A Reddit user, identified as 'u/BitProfessional3792', ordered one Ryzen 7 9850X3D along with an MSI MAG X870E Carbon motherboard. The CPU was listed as sold and shipped directly by Amazon, usually a sign of reliability. Upon opening the package, the user discovered an Intel Core i3 from the third generation, specifically an i3-3220, inside the Ryzen box. Although the top seal appeared intact, photos revealed signs of tampering on the bottom, suggesting the original CPU was removed and replaced with a much cheaper one.

The user initiated a return and ordered a second Ryzen 7 9850X3D, again from Amazon. The outcome was the same: the second box also showed signs of tampering from the bottom and contained another Intel Core i3 from the 3000 series.

On Reddit, users noted that both boxes had LPN labels, which Amazon uses to track items within its logistics network, often appearing on returned or refurbished products. The prevailing theory is that someone purchased the processors, swapped the Ryzen CPUs for Intel Core i3s, and then returned the packages, evading Amazon's detection of the manipulation.

The Intel Core i3-3220 is a 2012 processor with 2 cores running at 3.3 GHz and a 55W TDP. Its performance is far below that of the 9850X3D, making it unsuitable for modern gaming. Fortunately, Amazon's return policy should facilitate the user receiving a full refund.

Translation:

AMD processors became the fastest for gaming with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D released a few years ago, and its successor, the 9800X3D, further improved the formula. Intel has nothing to compete against them, and on top of that, AMD released a 9850X3D that was slightly faster. Every gamer wants these types of processors, and they sell very well, but of course, when you buy several Ryzen 7 9850X3Ds on Amazon and upon arrival you see they are Intel Core i3-3220s, your enthusiasm vanishes.

The Ryzen 9850X3Ds were launched without being a totally necessary product for AMD, as what they already had surpassed everything Intel could offer. Therefore, it was launched as a CPU for those who simply wanted the highest FPS in games and as such, it was a success. It reached the Top 3 sales worldwide and to this day remains one of the best-selling CPUs, even though it only offers a 1.4% higher performance in exchange for 27% more energy consumption compared to the 9800X3D.

A User Buys 2 Ryzen 7 9850X3Ds from Amazon and is Unlucky Enough That Both are 'Fake', Actually Being i3-3220s

The Reddit buyer, identified as 'u/BitProfessional3792', had ordered a Ryzen 7 9850X3D along with an MSI MAG X870E Carbon motherboard for his PC. The CPU was listed as sold and shipped directly by Amazon, something that normally offers more guarantees of reliability, but, as has happened in other cases, we know it doesn't guarantee it 100%. That's what happened here, because upon opening the package he discovered that inside the Ryzen box there was an Intel Core i3 of the third generation, specifically an i3-3220.

Although the upper seal appeared intact, the photographs showed that the box had been opened and manipulated from the bottom, presumably to remove the Ryzen and replace it with the much cheaper processor. The user initiated the return and decided to buy another Ryzen 7 9850X3D, also sold and shipped by Amazon. The result was identical, given that the second box had also been manipulated from the bottom and contained another Intel Core i3 from the 3000 series.

The Intel Core i3-3220 is a 2012 CPU That Doesn't Perform Well for Playing Modern Video Games

On Reddit, some users observed that both boxes had an LPN label. Amazon uses these labels to identify certain items within its logistics network, and they usually appear especially on products that have undergone return or refurbishment processes. Therefore, the theory is that someone bought these processors, took out the Ryzen 7 9850X3Ds, put in the new CPU, and returned the packages in a way that Amazon did not detect the manipulations.

As you can imagine, the Intel Core i3-3220 cannot be compared in performance to the 9850X3D, so it's quite a scam. This is a 22 nm processor from the year 2012 that is totally outdated, having only 2 cores at a frequency of 3.3 GHz and a TDP of 55W. Fortunately, Amazon works very well regarding returns, so he should get his money back without problems.