Fake DDR5 memory is hitting the market amid supply shortage
Fake DDR5 modules are hitting the market as scammers attempt to take advantage of memory shortages
Fake DDR5 memory modules have reportedly started circulating. While they appear legitimate at first glance, they are completely non-functional. The memory chips include bare circuit boards with no memory.
TAKI on Twitter/X, as reported by WCCFTECH, cut into the DRAM chips on one of these DRAM modules. They confirmed that no DRAM chips were inside. Additionally, it’s worth noting that these modules claim to be from Samsung but use fake DRAM chips that say ‘SK Hynix’ on them. Since Samsung manufactures its own memory, it is clear that these modules are fake. That said, these fake modules may become harder to spot in time.
These fake DDR5 SODIMM memory modules are being sold online in Japan for 12,845 Yen. This translates to around £60 GBP. The seller claims that they do not accept returns, for obvious reasons.
注意喚起
DDR5のメモリの偽物が出回ってます。
一見すると普通のメモリですが、実際に搭載されているチップはただの基板、プラスチックの板です。取り外して切断して確認しました。
動作未確認のメモリーとかマジで購入する際は気をつけてください！
4090の悲劇を起こさないように！ pic.twitter.com/gcKAjRDUei— TAKI (@taki_pc_1115) May 10, 2026
While seasoned PC builders should be able to spot these modules as fakes, it is likely that more convincing fakes are on the way. As TAKI notes in a subsequent post, these modules would be difficult to spot if used in a desktop form factor with a heatsink covering these fake DRAM chips. If this occurred, the only way that PC builders could tell these are fake is if their PC didn’t boot when using them.
Over the years, we have seen fake CPUs and GPUs hit the market several times. Earlier this year, Corsair changed the packaging of many of its DDR5 products to combat “Return Fraud”, which has become more common given today’s DRAM shortages. As always, buyers should purchase PC parts from trusted sellers, and only purchase products from platforms with a strong returns process and consumer protections.
You can join the discussion on the fake DDR5 memory modules hitting the market on the OC3D Forums.
