Futuremark launches a PC overhauling competition

OVERCLOCKING ENTHUSIASTS should be flocking to Futuremark's website, as the firm has launched a competition designed to find the best of their bunch.

Futuremark, which makes benchmarking software, wants overclockers from across the world to take part in its challenge, which will ask them to get the highest possible 3DMark Vantage score using AMD chips and Gigabyte mainboards.

There are three categories for overclockers to choose from: a single card challenge, which will task entrants with getting the highest score using one VGA card; an unlimited category, in which the prizes will be awarded to the top five scores with no limit on the number of cards used; and a lucky draw, which apparently will just reward people for turning up and taking part.

Jukka Mäkinen, Futuremark CEO said, "The Overhauling competition gives [overclockers] a great chance to show off their skills and win some great prizes." Indeed, the prizes are pretty good, and thankfully, since these are anathema to overclockers, none of them are weekends away. They do however include motherboards, graphics cards, fans and memory.

Gigabyte, which is co-hosting the competition and supplying many of the prizes, was pretty happy about the arrangement. "We are delighted to be hosting this competition together with Futuremark," said Tim Handley, deputy director of marketing at Gigabyte.

Over at AMD spokespeople were equally happy and altruistic. Billy Wang, AMD corporate VP and AMD Taiwan general manager, wished everyone the best, and then didn't forget who pays his wages.

"We wish all contestants good luck," he said, "and recommend ATI Radeon HD 5000 series video cards with more than 16 million shipped in just three quarters for those seeking performance designed to support the most demanding overclocking environments." Cheers Wang.

The competition runs from today until 16 September. µ