Fake Intel Core i7 chips tip up on NewEgg

Knock-off claims investigated

Intel is looking into claims that hardware e-tailer Newegg.com unwittingly shipped fake CPUs to customers.

"Intel has been made aware of the potential for counterfeit Core i7 920 packages in the marketplace and is working to how many and/or where they are being sold. The examples we have seen are not Intel products but are counterfeits," Intel told HardOCP, which broke the story.

The web site published details and photos of a fake Core i7-920 bought from Newegg by one of its forum users. The package included a user manual made up entirely of blank pages. The customer said he ultimately received a genuine chip from the company.

HardOCP said Newegg had received up to 2,000 counterfeit processors from a distributor. The boxes looked genuine, but the contents were not.

It has since received a cease and desist order from the distributor in question.

"After investigating the issue internally it appears one of our long term partners mistakenly shipped a small number of demo boxes instead of functional units," Newegg reportedly said.