Kings of the Overclockers - an ElMaxi interview
Questions on HardwareYouGamers: I will carry around my dead Riva TNT2 card forever, and I have a special place in my heart for my first unlocked Intel Celeron processor. Is there a hardware era or specific piece of hardware that you're nostalgic for? ElMaxi: Not really, but if anything, the [ATI] Radeon 9500.
 How cold is cold? How about minus 151 C cold YouGamers: AMD is all but having a fire sale on processors right now, and Intel's recently released some new processors which are very competitively priced. As hardware eras go, is this one of the better times to get into overclocking and benchmarking, value-wise? ElMaxi: Without a doubt, you can compete near the top of the ORB now with a reasonably priced processor. That wasn't possible last year. It still takes a very fast graphics setup and powerful cooling, however.
YouGamers: On one hand, overclocking has the potential to destroy hardware and create warranty issues for a company. On the other hand, however, supporting the enthusiast market by tacitly/explicitly promoting overclocking is a great way to build a brand from the top down. Are hardware companies, from chip makers to video card manufacturers and re-branders, generally supportive of overclocking? ElMaxi: It's obvious that the dynamic is changing. Bigger companies are starting to tap into the excitement of overclocking, offering better products with more overclocking features. Their marketing has changed along with the products, basically they realize product 'buzz' can sell hardware, even Intel & Dell are in the game now.
YouGamers: Do the results generated by the overclocking and benchmarking community have tangible value to hardware companies? If so, do companies recognize that value and are they appreciative of the community? ElMaxi: I think we can all see that there is a real interest in overclocking that has changed the way products are marketed and designed. The high end products are usually the ones generating the most interest and also happen to be used by the top overclockers. Thus you have a few guys getting sponsored and given access to sample hardware. Let’s face it: if someone takes some new hardware and breaks records with it, chances are a lot of people will notice.
Prepared to bring any 3D benchmark to its knees.
YouGamers: With regards to product development, how relevant are the results of the overclocking and benchmarking community to computer hardware in the big picture? In other words, over a period of years, has the community been responsible for or otherwise influenced major shifts in hardware development? ElMaxi: I think so. There is a lot of involvement from both sides. While some are more interested than others, I think the general trend is definitely in that direction.
YouGamers: Some companies seed better-than-average performing hardware to well-known members of the overclocking and benchmarking community prior to retail release. These individuals often post results on forums, creating a demand for a product which may or may not perform at the same level when available at retail. In effect, a group of influential consumers then end up making purchasing decisions on the open market without full information. How do you feel about this practice of seeding? Do you think that influential individuals who report results should be required to disclose the source of any hardware which they received for free or were otherwise compensated or reimbursed for? ElMaxi: I think it's obvious where the 'hardware' came from in most cases. I don't think we need any changes in this regard. Wrapping it UpYouGamers: This is a hobby with longevity – as long as there's hardware to overclocking and benchmark, there will be a community to push hardware to its limits. Where do you see benchmarking in the near future? In the long term? ElMaxi: I think it will continue to be as exciting as it is today. Each new hardware generation presents new challenges, and that challenge is something overclockers are always interested in.
YouGamers: In the name of altruism, do you have any advice for those getting starting with overclocking and/or benchmarking? What are some good resources for the uninitiated? ElMaxi: There are a lot of great sites out there, find one you like and the rest will happen by itself if you're really interested. YouGamers: Finally, any thoughts or comments that you'd like to add which I neglected to cover in my questions? ElMaxi: I'd just like to thank everyone from OC Forums & Xtremesystems. I wouldn’t be here without all those great guys.
YouGamers would like to sincerely thank ElMaxi for taking the time for the interview and we wish him all the best with his future overclocking endeavours!
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