Overclocking competition (UK)

[Highland3r]

Overclocking Competition.

Timeframe:

Closing Date for entries - 10 PM GMT Sunday 26th March 2006
PM's to be sent to all competitors 25/26 March 2006 to organise payment and to confirm place
Cards ordered Monday 27th March 2006
Vmodded cards posted Monday 10th April. Non modded cards posted Frida y 7/04 (I've just posted these!!)
Stock GFX benching - Wednesday 12th April 2006 -> Tuesday 18th April 2006 10PM GMT (7 Days)
Overclocked GFX benching - Wednesday 19th April -> Saturday 29th April 2006 10PM GMT

Sponsors:
http://www.retekdirect.co.uk
http://www.bit-tech.net
http://www.ATI.com
http://www.extremeprometeia.com





Categories:
Air
Water
"Other" (ie anything goes. Note, Peltier cooling is included in this category)

The way it works:
If you're using mixed cooling, the "coldest" method is the category you're entered into. Simple!
You may enter into multiple categories **HOWEVER** you must nominate your "main" category BEFORE benching begins. (ie BEFORE the cards are sent out)
Your main category will be the one used to calculate your rankings and prize (if applicable)

Heatpipe heatsinks count as air.
TEC's count as "other"

Distribution of cards: - We're benching ATI 9600SE's
Cards to be vmodded will be sent to Persivore. He'll post the mods he's doing when he gets pics of the cards.
The cards will be modded, and tested to ensure they boot. Thats it.
Cards which arent being modded, will NOT be unpackaged. If you recieve a dead card tough (unless I have any spares :P) though we can probably RMA to supplier.
ALL the cards will be posted out at the same time. It's gonna take Persivore a few days to get them all modded up, so please bear with us on this.
Those of you outside the UK joining us, I need pics of the graphics card (both front and back) along with something in the frame identifying your tag.
Theres 3GBP allowed for in the price to get the cards out to you, anything extra (if there is) will be used as a prize fund.

Benching:
This is still subject to change, need to iron out a few issues.
Basically, from the date of sending cards, you'll have 7 days to post overclocked SYSTEM, STOCK graphics benchies in 3dmark 2001, 2003
and Aquamark3.
These are to be submitted as screenshots (and ORB compare links) along with CPU-z and Super-pi 1m scores. (So a total of 4 screenshots and 2 compare URL's)
If you need hosting for screenshots, let me know, will provide hosting space

After this 7 day period you'll have a further 10 days to post the same scores, but with OVERCLOCKED SYSTEM AND GRAPHICS.
Again, screenshots and ORB compares are required. Super-pi times should be IDENTICLE between both sets of screenshots.

Just to clarify, you're only changing Graphics card clocks in this competition. Results will be based upon the % score increase and the % clock increase (still TBC)
You are NOT allowed to change hardware, during the competition, even if this produces the same Pi times.

Benching in pairs is fine, but you'll only get 1 prize if you win :P

If you are caught cheating, or are suspected of cheating, we WILL disqualify you from the competition.

Drivers: Use whatever drivers you want, as long as you use the SAME for ALL benchies.
Driver tweaks are allowed in the "overclocked" section. Use driver defaults for stock tests.
LOD tweaks are allowed (if anyone wants more info let me know)

Prizes:
7800GS AGP from http://www.bit-tech.net
X800XL AIW from http://www.ATI.com
We've got a Dtek LRWW universal Waterblock from http://www.extremeprometeia.com
From http://www.Coolercases.co.uk we have a full Alphacool Kit in either 1/2" or 3/8". Including:
NexXxoS XP Bold AMD64 / 775 CPU Block
NVXP-3 6800/7800 / NVXP-3 ATI GPU Block
Laing DDC 12 volt Pump
NexXxos Xtreme III Radiator
6ft Tygon Hose & Nylon Clamps
As well as 3 12 month hosting packages from http://www.4-s.co.uk

Huge thanks to everyone who's provided prizes for the competition. Cheers guys.
Huge thanks also to http://www.retekdirect.co.uk for providing us with enough cards to actually carry out the competition!



First Place prizes distributed as follows:
Air: 7800GS
Water: X1800XL AIW
"Other": Alphacool kit + Dtek LRWW

2nd Place in each category get a 12 month webhosting package

Contest oganisers decision re prizes is final.

[n00b 0f l337]

Why wouldnt you get PCI cards like 9550 I beleive, or is it 9500? That way everyone can join in.

[Jonas]

is this competition only for UK people??

[MeltedDuron]

Andi where do I sign up Hope my dothans can roll with you guys

[Highland3r]

Why wouldnt you get PCI cards like 9550 I beleive, or is it 9500? That way everyone can join in.

The supplier I've been in talks with has the 9500's cheap.

Melted, drop me a PM to confirm your place

is this competition only for UK people??

Might be able to get a card over to you mate, drop me a PM and we'll see

[SoddemFX]

Im in

Overclocked / stock seems fair as everyone can compete.

Tom

[don_vercetti]

9500 non pro right?

So what are the rules about pipeline unlocking? Cos some cards unlock, some don't. So it's pretty tough on those whose cards don't unlock.

Also, having spent a while lately playing with a 9700, i feel that while 3dmark05 should be run (one can score roughly 3k on that, with 9700) 3dmark06 shouldn't be. It's just no fun to watch a slideshow.

Anyway, count me and my xp1800 in. For the forums, CPCFF if that's ok, otherwise ill do it for the Xtreme.

[[XC]melymel]

ill probs be in providing that 3dmark06 is dropped as my 15" monitor cant run it . Also when abouts will this competition be taking place as i would need to get hold of £30 and would the card have to be form you or could it be sourced from elsewhere?

[Highland3r]

Sorry chaps, been away for the weekend.
As far as unlocking goes, all the cards will be the same, they're 128mb "I" config so will unlock to 8 pipes, but NOT 256 bit.

[don_vercetti]

I'll have to pull out - sorry, i have exams shortly and don't have time, and i need the money for other stuff (poor student).

[persivore]

I'll offer to fully volt mod the cards for an extra £7. Vgpu and Vdd mods are definitely possible, but Vddq and Vref will depend on the exact layout of the cards (there are 2 layouts of the I mem cards)

The cards to be volt modded will be shipped to me by Highland3r, and I will then post them out once they have been modded.

PM either Highland3r or myself if you want the cards modding before they are shipped.

[Bennah]

Great stuff. Uk overclocking compeition. Shame I cant join too, having no rig atm.

Would be good to watch you guys doing your best.

I got a feeling that boardy would come out tops

[SoddemFX]

Whilst Persivores good will is admirable, i feel that pre-modified hardware should not be allowed. For many people it is reducing the competion to "luck of the draw" in my opinion.

I think all hardware modifications should be performed by the competitor themselves as then it becomes a competition of skill and promotes learning.

Tom

[Jamo]

Whilst Persivores good will is admirable, i feel that pre-modified hardware should not be allowed. For many people it is reducing the competion to "luck of the draw" in my opinion.

I think all hardware modifications should be performed by the competitor themselves as then it becomes a competition of skill and promotes learning.

Tom

perhaps have a different category for vmodded cards? i'm tempted i really am, thing is i'm off away in a couple of weeks so is the comp gonna be a week per bench like the last xs gp or what?

[Highland3r]

Whilst Persivores good will is admirable, i feel that pre-modified hardware should not be allowed. For many people it is reducing the competion to "luck of the draw" in my opinion.

I think all hardware modifications should be performed by the competitor themselves as then it becomes a competition of skill and promotes learning.

Tom

The reason for allowing Persivore to carry out the mods is to give everyone an equal chance at winning in their category.
The original aim of this competition was to get people who otherwise wouldnt overclock hardware to do so.
I do agree with what you are saying however but I don't believe people should at a disadvantage becuase they are unable to voltmod the cards themselves.

At least this way, anyone who wants a card modded is able to do so, I don't see anyone gaining an advantage with Persivore doing their mods compared to them being done by themselves...

Timing wise, doubt the cards will be shipped to competitors much before the first week in April. You'll then have 7 days to post STOCK gfx card benchies (overclocked system, stock GFX) and a further 7 days to post the overclocked scores (probably 01/AM3/03, need to see how crap the cards are in 03/05 first)

[Johnny Bravo]

I like this talk, maybe I'll hold onto one of my boards for a little while longer :P Count me in

[Highland3r]

I like this talk, maybe I'll hold onto one of my boards for a little while longer :P Count me in

Addded welcome onboard mate. You wanting mods?

[Johnny Bravo]

I'll speak to the man himself and prob do them on my own, time for some 9600SE homework me thinks

[Highland3r]

1st post updated

[SoddemFX]

Respect to all the suppliers of the prizes

Tom

[Johnny Bravo]

Very nice, some xcellent goodes up for grabs. Guess I'll have to make an effort now

[Highland3r]

Got 30 cards sorted now, keep on signing up chaps! Need as many people as we can get!

[jimwah]

Count me in...
I've got a 9600se 128mb still sitting in its box here, never used it lol. Knew it would come in handy sometime. Ok to use my own card?

The only box I have with an AGP port is my 1Ghz thunderbird tho .... I'm sure I can find another AGP machine with a bit more bandwidth somewhere. Will double check the 9600se i have conforms to the rules over the weekend. Nice job on the prizes btw!!

[Highland3r]

Count me in...
I've got a 9600se 128mb still sitting in its box here, never used it lol. Knew it would come in handy sometime. Ok to use my own card?

The only box I have with an AGP port is my 1Ghz thunderbird tho .... I'm sure I can find another AGP machine with a bit more bandwidth somewhere. Will double check the 9600se i have conforms to the rules over the weekend. Nice job on the prizes btw!!

You in the UK mate? Would rather you used one of the cards provided by us, just so no-one can call "cheat" but as long as you've got exactly the same card then you *should* be ok

[SoddemFX]

Great work Highland3r,

Any news on the brand of card yet? Or better -a picture!

Tom