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Warning - Beware of fake GPUs

VPalermo

VPalermo

VPalermo

Associate
Joined
9 Oct 2022
Posts
47
Location
London
Hi Guys

A couple of days ago a bought a Gaming Trio 5090 from a retailer for £2850, however I cancelled my order yesterday because I managed to get the same cars from *competitor removed* for £2715.

I've always used MSI GPU's from the RTX 3090 to the 4090 so I figured I'd go with them for the 5090.

I took delivery of the GPU today and started unboxing it. The plastic packaging of the card was sealed so it was definitely brand new, I eagerly peeled off the see-through plastic tape then realised there was no dual-bios switch on the GPU despite there being a label for silent mode and performance mode.

Then I realised the entire backplate of the GPU was loose because MSI missed to screw the backplate on. This is unacceptable for an MSRP class GPU which is sold for £700 above MSRP.

Please see pics of the GPU i received and a pic of the same GPU from a YouTuber.

I'm returning this card back to *competitor removed*....I guess my hunt for an RTX 5090 continues. It just won't be an MSI model. I won't touch MSI with a barge pole after this.

https://flic.kr/p/2qT7j3c
https://flic.kr/p/2qT6879

This is how the Youtuber's Gaming Trio 5090 looks
https://flic.kr/p/2qT686Y
 
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I wouldn't be surprised if you fell victim to a scam return or something, there's ways to make things look like they're sealed/legit and unfortunately this sort of thing has went on to varying degrees for years, especially with the likes of Amazon and market place type websites.

Given you've had good experiences for years with MSI I'd not decry them entirely over a one time thing that potentially wasn't even their fault, no matter which company you use either you or someone else is eventually going to run into problems.

Edit: If you want to upload pictures you'll need to use a third party image host such as https://imgur.com/upload btw.
 
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Gray2233 said:
I wouldn't be surprised if you fell victim to a scam return or something, there's ways to make things look like they're sealed/legit and unfortunately this sort of thing has went on to varying degrees for years, especially with the likes of Amazon and market place type websites.

Given you've had good experiences for years with MSI I'd not decry them entirely over a one time thing that potentially wasn't even their fault, no matter which company you use either you or someone else is eventually going to run into problems.

Edit: If you want to upload pictures you'll need to use a third party image host such as https://imgur.com/upload btw.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I don't think this was a scam return not with the number of Gaming Trio's that the rainforest have been selling this week. This must have been part of a large batch shipment from MSI to the rainforest. I'm so put off from MSI by this. I've always had great luck with MSI motherboards and GPU's (Terrible luck with an ASUS motherboard although brilliant luck with an ASUS RTX 2080 Ti).

Maybe you are right. Maybe I need to just cool down. Anyway my main aim right now is to get my refund for the Gaming Trio which I already cancelled as well as return this MSI Gaming Trio to Amazon for a full refund.

I think i'm going to stick with Zotac, ASUS or Gigabyte for an RTX 5090 unless I can bag an FE somehow. I really don't want the Palit (it's only got a 2 year warranty and the fans are supposed to be really loud).
 
I just realised the PCI-E slot cover is completely different on the card that I got compared to the one in the pic from the Youtuber. I think you guys are right this is a scam. I'm even more stressed now. Is there a chance the rainforest might refuse the return once they recieve it?
 
VPalermo said:
I just realised the PCI-E slot cover is completely different on the card that I got compared to the one in the pic from the Youtuber. I think you guys are right this is a scam. I'm even more stressed now. Is there a chance the rainforest might refuse the return once they recieve it?
Click to expand...

It's a pretty common issue on there tbh, I don't think you'll have a problem.

It doesn't look like the backplate is attached at all unless they've glued it on or something, can you easily take it off and if so take a picture of the PCB?
 
Gray2233 said:
It's a pretty common issue on there tbh, I don't think you'll have a problem.

It doesn't look like the backplate is attached at all unless they've glued it on or something, can you easily take it off and if so take a picture of the PCB?
Click to expand...
Sorry man I already packaged the thing up.
 
Meaker said:
Warning, don't buy super high end GPUs off a rainforest perhaps?
Click to expand...
Yes. Lesson learnt. I wouldn't buy a GPU from the rainforest again. However, i wouldn't need to if I got add a damn RTX 5090 into my basket and check out from an actual reputable reseller website like Overclockers.
 
Ah I see, trying to legitimise your scam by posting a "complaint" thread on OCUK forums.

Smooth, real smooth...






:p Obviously I hope everything goes smoothly with your return, that's terrible and something that needs to be stamped out, though if it was easy to do so they would have done it already.
 
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Kirby Wurm said:
Ah I see, trying to legitimise your scam by posting a "complaint" thread on OCUK forums.

Smooth, real smooth...



If I


:p Obviously I hope everything goes smoothly with your return, that's terrible and something that needs to be stamped out, though if it was easy to do so they would have done it already.
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Hahaha. I read your reply and at first I was like wtf is this guy's problem then I read the small print ;). It actually put a smile on my face. Thanks, i actually need to smile and laugh because i'm so stressed out right now.
 
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