Patreon Special: Give Us A Challenge!

Do the pizza heater the right way

A build where you must use the heat from the PC to brew the best cup of coffee. Maybe something else where you use the heat generated by the PC to replace some other tool or appliance.

Modify BitPhoenix Enso cases for performance while trying to maintain as much of the original look as possible. Get scored on aesthetics, performance over an unmodified case, and how much of the original look is maintained. Use something like your case test bench to run all of the tests. Competition and proper GN content with charts and things!

Build a steam punk and/or cyber punk build challenge that run on a commercial alcohol in an open loop.... one by you the other a different personality. Same basic components scored on performance (50%) and looks vote online (50%) with a shot of the alcohol during the build for each mistake, using catch phrases, and whatever seems worth a drink.

build the best gaming pc which is also completely silent. maybe have a db target, like <20db maybe have $ target, like <2k

The "bang for the buck, great performance and airflow, aesthetics be dammed" build. Function over form. See, I just built a new rig with a X570 board, a R7 3700X and a RTX 2070 inside a 2011's Cooler Master HAF 912. It's ugly, but I could not find a new case with decent airflow without wasting my money on glass or RGB that I do not want. Granted, my options in the Brazilian market are somewhat restricted, but I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. And GN is the banner bearer on the cruzade against form over function. It's fullfilling GN's destiny on the Master Race, in a sort of messianic way. ;)

Rafael Rangel

Something to do with small ATX or a MATX size for a good compact, quiet and good air flow build would be interesting, since we're needing less and less pci-e or sata based devices now.

James Holland-Hart (Bryn)

What about trying to build the most cost effective system for primarily gaming but also some media (such as photography, video editing, etc)? I appreciate the cost is subjective, but I think that would make it interesting rather than putting an arbitrary number on it, as it's part of the challenge. But obviously considering everyday budgets would be good (the average person wouldn't be buying a 2080ti or 3950X for example).

James Holland-Hart (Bryn)

I was thinking along these lines, but fitting a full modern gaming PC into a retro PC/console case. e.g. Amiga 500 case has the space, but how would you cool everything? Using AIOs or water with well placed rads and holes drilled for airflow, maybe.

Dude, Bunn coffee machine, I'm sure ZDG can get behind that.

Most interesting form factor build. Pick a common household object, ostensibly large enough to contain within in it a PC, and build a fully functional gaming machine. It could be anything from building a PC in a toaster or maybe a large pc built into a laundry machine. Maybe even build a PC into a bit of lawn furniture. The competition would be largely subjective, but the goal would be to build a gaming PC that is the most inconspicuous. The PC should blend it with in a natural environment. This competition can be used to highlight custom case building techniques. Consider the form factor of your "case", the parts that can fit, cooling, etc. Perhaps even take it a step further and build in a display and controls (keyboard, mouse, controller). It doesn't need to be fancy, but go a bit ham with case modding.

Eric Hebert

Who can cool down the Nintendo Switch the most. I'd like to to see a contest between Patrick and Steve where if applicable, having 2 of the same cases that have heavily restricted airflow. Modifying it to increase the airflow whilst also not completely destroying it and having it look as presentable as possible. Bonus points for making the case look better than it does originally but the looks could be done via straw poll, as looks are very subjective.

I think a retro build early/mid 2000's with an overclocking comp between yourselves at the end would be a lot of fun. PS did the wafer I gave you make it back ok?

Trivia contest. You could use A+ practice tests as questions. Clean the loop on your work PC while you do it.

CC

for cooking Tater Tots on, lol.

ZarconDeeGrissom

I've got a quadro 4000 think that'll work

sadly, the last time I suggested anything inspired by a car (intake ducting to the GPU and ram/rad/VRM), it devolved into a "hate vs love" car manufacturer flame war. it would be interesting to see how Patric and Steve decide to 'bling' out a computer case with pinstripes and chrome car logo decals, scoop air intakes, turbos, etc, lol.

ZarconDeeGrissom

Pick out a GPU and cook Tater Tots on it. lol JK I like the idea of retro builds, something along those lines.

Automotive inspired PC build, bring things back to the "sex spec" days of modding cars, except on a PC. Grading will be more dependent on cost and benchmark score as opposed to looks, but those could play a part.

It's always cool to see some retro hardware used for newer games so maybe some sort of dig in the "scrap" bin of things laying around to build the best machine using parts at least 4-5 years old to make it interesting. Also one idea that would be fun is to see who can build the best dollars per frame (cost/FPS) system with say a certain budget cap using either old or new hardware.

Best GN case, made out of plain brown corrugated cardboard and duct tape only, lol. Fans used, will be 120mm, the cheapest priced item from amazon or Newegg (aka, under 10usd each) and they only get 3 fans each. Judging will be who can cool things the best without showing off the ugly RGB-guts. it must be an enclosed case (not an open test bench) with at least 4 sides covering the guts, and the guts must bee completely within the cardboard of the case (with maybe the exception of the provided 120mm fans, if one is not used or taped to the outside of the case). if a hard drive or card is poking out of the outer perimeter of the cardboard case (a straight edge will be used to make sure, from the outer most cardboard on that side of the case across the opening that stuff is visible through), it needs to be tucked inside the cardboard case, no showing off the ugly RGB, this is a cooling only competition. lol.

ZarconDeeGrissom

Build the strongest build you can - last one to survive being dropped, thrown etc wins.

Alex Turff

handicapped speed build races - how fast can you build a pc with only one hand, blindfolded, upside down or with only a penknife etc

Alex Turff

ouch, and I do sort of hope that can happen in time. tho that is more a Delta vs Noctua, vs sunon vs nidec vs san-ace vs adda vs jamicon vs etc, more than it's a fun Steve vs Patrick thing, lol.

ZarconDeeGrissom

Retro build off with old parts and Win 98. Setup and benchmark. It might be the first time Patrick sees Win98 though ;) But that would be a different challenge. Only AGP GPU allowed.

Since you guys are doing a lot of case reviews, why not make one yourselves? That would be a challenge. See who makes the best one in terms of cooling and style.

Finally finish the fan tunnel and do the benchmarks?

Oakheart

Subjective win condition: Build a pc to appease the masses and present them to fellow friends like Jay, Wendell, derbauer etc. Cases are scored on a buy/no buy scale on aesthetics. Caveat, you have to use as many RGB components as possible, but can configure the lights however you want.

Jordan

Objective win condition: Build the cheapest PC that can achieve the highest FPS on Crysis with max settings

Jordan

Achieve the highest benchmark using the same system but with no traditional cooling methods, without water-cooling, traditional heatsyncs/w fans, or Liquid Nitrogen.

Windows 98 AGP OC challange! FIGHT!

Martin Banak

Build the cheapest, fastest, used part PC. Price the parts based on current used pricing on whatever site you decide to use as a medium for pricing, but here is the kicker, the PC needs to still outperform the other PC using a test you both agree on. The cheapest, fastest PC wins. Also, if one PC is very noticeably faster, but just a little more expensive, well then that PC will win based on an agreed upon delta speed per dollar schedule.

Have one person build up a used Dell Optiplex or variant with the best power supply/video card upgrade on a fixed budget. Then have the other person build a budget PC with new parts and the same budget. Then do a blind test to 3-5 people to see if they can guess the specs of each computer. Budget could be mid range like $600 to $800. It would be interesting to see if people can tell the difference based on the experience and not the spec sheets.

Build a functional, useable, and purposeful furniture PC, that can also play games for no reason. We have all seen the "smart mirror" Raspberry Pi builds. Go beyond, and do it at an acceptable framerate.

Fastest to build a standard ATX using chopsticks only (no using fingers directly). Same case and motherboard, other parts may be chosen on individual basis. May use as many chopsticks as desired, and you may use other tools as long as chopsticks are being used to manipulate them.

build the fastest air cooled 40dba system using any case you like and as many fans as you like, gpu is going to be the 2080 ti but you can use 3rd party air coolers like RAIJINTEK Morpheus II and put case fans on it. cpu will be more difficult because it cant be louder than 40 dba, so maybe a more efficient threadripper may beat the 9900k? determined wich was faster will be by running your standard suite of game benchmarks on it and comparing average performance between the two builds, so singlecore performance and gpu cooling/boosting will be important there need to be some limits, like first you have to pick the parts and then you are forced to use only the parts that you picked but you are still allowed to change the configuration and location of the parts, after running tests, so the main challange will be choosing air coolers, fans and the case, and then trying to get the most cooling out of it at 40 dba maybe also consider using exactly the same gpu/cpu/board/ram to have the challange completely focus on the most efficient cooling?

Djulina

I'd like to see both of you start with the same base system, but you each get to bring your own graphics card. LOWEST non zero Port Royal score wins.

build the fastest pc possible with ONLY passive cooling! having a completely silent pc in your living room or bed room is really worth it, I did build one for my brother and he loves it.

Djulina

Best bench mark score with the LN2 pot filled with something other than LN2. Rather than best “temperature” you need to get the lowest energy output while still being competitive . Drain and fill between rounds with water at some temperature then go and run the benchmark eventually water gets warmer and the CPU/GPU throttles.

Build a PC but for every year older the hardware is it gets a handicap of XXXX points in firestrike/benchmark

“Winter is coming”, so to speak, so how about a challenge to build a computer that acts as a space heater, including adjusting it’s own heat output based on the temperature of the room? Winner will be measured by lower draw from the wall.

Benjamin Kier

So no swiss army knife? Aaww. What do you really need other than a single Philips head though?

With all the retro components you guys received over the last year or two, you should both try to build a working system out of parts that were made before 2003.

Each of you get the worst performing case and then mod them to see who can achieve the best noise normalized temps. The one with the lowest combined temps win.

Dan Michael

Build a best-bang-for-the-buck gaming machine, OC/optimize everything step by step and do some a before-and-after testing highlighting the deltas (default (w/ XMP) vs CPU OCed (for daily use) vs RAM fully optimized (w/ raised fclock, manual timings, etc.) vs GPU OCed vs all optimized). I think it would interesting for gamers not OCing to see what benefits a safe OC across the core components would bring them.

Build a system targeted at: development teams. First to choose parts, build it and finish compiling Linux Kernel or GCC while multitasking wins. Maybe the system should boost productivity without exploding costs or in opposite maybe it should be super expensive so it's super quick so it pays for itself quicker, who knows :)

Build the smallest functional PC you can out of the parts you have. Most powerful / smallest machine wins.

Another one. Build the most ridiculous pimp ass PC. You can follow the ideas of Pimp my ride show - add monitors where you don’t need them, custom body parts for the case, spoilers, nitro sprayers, a bunch of decals of different brands, vertically opening case doors etc. Or you can go full gypsy - golden RAM, carpets, fake diamonds and other precious stones, golden chains

Build the hottest system using the same GPU, CPU, and fans standardized to 2 x NF-A14s and1x NF-F12 (location not set to two front one rear)

Deep Fried

I like the idea of modded case. A thermal battle with the typical test hardware. Each pick a case and improve it. Whoever has the most improvement from stock wins. Use the noctua test fans for both

Build a lightest powerful PC? Score is defined by some benchmark score divided by weight. Modifications of case and components are allowed. Build needs to be sturdy enough - you need to be able to hold it in any orientation without damaging it.

How about a Overclocking battle with LOW End Cards, Say You guys Have the exact same system with RX 560's 1st and see who gets the Highest Skydiver Score! LOL!! Then switch to GTX 1050 ti's Maybe??? Air only and Must be a enclosed case! Maybe make the case choice up to you and Patrick! Whatever you guys decide it sounds like it will be a Blast!

Instead of "can it run Crysis?"... "Can a crysis ruin it?". For example: errant application of capacitive thermal paste, simulation of liquid cooling containment breach, emergency heatsink ejection, inevitable RGB disasters...

Matt (CodgerFace)

one tool build. you have a build off and you each can only choose one tool (multi tool with bits are not allowed).

Christophe Fettouhi

My idea is: Overclock-per-dollar! Both contestants have to use the same CPU, but get to pick whatever equipment (motherboard/cooling/RAM) they can from the GN stock. Whoever achieves the best ratio of overclock per dollar used on equipment wins. "overclock" could be measured either in reported clock speeds or a benchmark result such as cinebench.

This was pretty much a legit contest overnight at the LTX Dreamhack, could have done with Steve's help.

Beech Horn

Winter is coming (in the US) who can build a computer that heats a space the best. Maybe it produces the most heat? maybe it circulates the heat it creates the best? I think it'd be neat to build a computer with the opposite of the usual intent.

LGA775 overclocking/benchmarking battle. Coincidentally, I have a box full of motherboards, CPUs, RAM, and a few GPUs that are 775-era I'm trying to find a good home for. 👀 -BananaMilk

dual ram vs quad ram kit on ryzen

Drewsko

Build a PC while headbanging to RGBs

Build your own GN HAF case. It could get mocked up with whatever materials you have, and then possibly get them actually fabricated somewhere (probably some patrons who have the right equipment who would be willing to fab them). The goal is air cooling, of course, but also to be interesting looking. It'd be interesting to see what you two would come up with given all your knowledge and experience. It'd be interesting to see some daring internals that are designed specifically with airflow in mind instead of just a big empty hole where air flows from front to back or bottom to top. Then you can partner with CoolerMaster or someone to actually bring the winner to production. :) (Sponsor opportunity??)

Mr.Frost

Who gets the best temps with a single fan, preselected parts, any case they want, and case modding is allowed.

Max Eliaser

the better improvement get the better scores

Ian Washish

NO, I KNOW! A case modding, like you take two cases that have bad airflow as bad as you can get! Then mod it to have an airflow that can blow hairs backward! and maybe AIR GEE BEE.

Ian Washish

*couln't get ase many viewers we would like. We have to think something that people talk about or a hype to borrow in, like cyberpunk.

Ian Washish

Would love to see fan knowledge being used, so who can build the best homemade hovercraft for a drag race using 120mm fans. No RC steering needed. Would need static pressure underneath and airflow at the top with a good balance of weight and control of PWM. Also assume you mean Patrick and not fallen into the trap of calling all employees of GN Patrick ;-)

Beech Horn

Woah vacuum tubes! Would be awesome, vacuum tube fan controller would be really sick, the thing is the voltages, is I recall well, VTs love high voltage and low impedance load... fan could be great but it would take a semi massive transformer for lowering voltage into 12V, because it would take maybe 20-24V to drive the tubes and then if you want to drive a couple fans with it the better the transformer. For an exemple, a guitar amp rated 100W, (RMS) can drive an 4ohms load at 12V, and the highest voltage in the power stage could get as high as 600V DC, so the transformer are the key point. A prebuild VT preamp would be way simpler 🤣. I wish I had an idea. Fallout scheme is cool, but the 76 flop could get as many viewer

Ian Washish

I think it'd be fun to see a speed build with an element of random sabotage! Incorporate some element that can be "activated" to set the other back.

Perhaps.. build a full case setup for an i9-9900k for $250 (for case+cooling), winner has lowest temps while running prime95?

Blindfolded build challenge.

Do something with Vacuum Tubes! Something heavily heavily Fallout, well beyond the usual 'slap some decals/paintwork on a normal case'.

JennyC6