DISCORD CHANNEL: https://discord.com/channels/662303512948113439/1466854333495906622

GENERAL RULES

• Intel LGA1700/1851 Platforms & G.SKILL DDR5 memory (no 12th Gen allowed)

• RETAIL components (No ES hardware)

• HWBOT & G.SKILL reserve the right to reject any entry

• HWBOT & G.SKILL have the right to ask for video proof or BenchMate datafile if needed

• Employees of PC Hardware manufacturers are not allowed to compete

• No hardware/score sharing is allowed

• It is not allowed to remove submissions once it has been submitted, or make crucial changes after submission.

• After the end of the competition, no more submissions or rectifications will be allowed

• All submissions must include a picture of their rig (MB, VGA, MEM, CPU cooler) during use

• All submissions must include a picture of G.SKILL memory with heatsink and serial number; If the heatsink is removed, the picture must clearly show the PCB and IC

• We expect fair play. HWBOT & G.SKILL reserve the right to remove results and/or participants who compete unfairly; The decision is final and will not be discussed afterwards; Examples: Influence others & pull submissions to profit your ranking, Deliberately make a mistake in the submissions process and ask later for change

• All submissions must include the Official OC World Cup 2026 Qualifier desktop wallpaper

 

HARDWARE

• Limited to Intel 13/14 and Core Ultra CPUs for LGA1700/1851 platforms

• G.SKILL DDR5 memory (No engineering samples)

• 6 Processor Performance cores, no Hyper Threading (disabling cores allowed). Unless specified

• Maximum processor/cache frequency limitation of 6005 MHz

• G.Skill crew and judges team allow usage of motherboards released during the competition (retail available)

 

SOFTWARE

• Windows 10/11 only (no server OS)

• CPU-Z 2.18 or newer

• BenchMate 14.1.0  only

• Verification screenshots include CPUZ tabs for CPU, MB, Memory and SPD tab per memory module

 

Stages: 

Stage 1 - 7-Zip with BM - 6 P-cores - 6005MHz

Stage 2 - PYPrime - 32b with BM - 6 P cores - 6005MHz

Stage 3 - y-cruncher - Pi-2.5b by BM - 6 P Cores - 6005MHz

Stage 4 - Memory Frequency DDR5

Stage 5 - SuperPi - 32M with BenchMate - 6005Mhz

 

Cooling Limitation

• No limitation

 

Points per Stage:

65-60-56-53-50-47-45-43-41-39-37-35-33-31-30-28-26-24-22-20-19-18-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0

Mem Frequency Stage points:

65-61-58-57-55-53-51-49-47-45-43-41-39-37-35-33-31-29-27-25-23-21-19-17-15-13-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

 

 

Sample Screenshot:

 

 

 

FINAL NOTES

• In case of same score, the earliest submission wins.

• In case of a tie the deciding benchmark will be Mem Freq stage

• The top-9 of online qualifier will receive an entry ticket to compete for the $xx,000 USD cash prize pool in the live contest at Computex 2026.
  

• The Live Qualifier and Final at Computex 2026 will be on LGA1851 Only!!!

• Participants arrange and cover their own transportation and accommodation.
  

• In the case that any of the top-9 qualified overclockers cannot attend the Live Qualifier at Computex 2026, their spot will be made available to subsequent runner-ups of the Online Qualifier (e.g. 10th, 11th, 12th, etc. places).

HARDWARE PRIZES

• Each of the top-9 of the online qualifier will receive a G.Skill DDR5- 8000 32GB memory kit

• 2 x Lucky draw winners using DDR5 will receive a G.Skill DDR5- 7200 32GB memory kit (must participate in all stages)
  

Money PRIZES (for live event attendees only):

The top-9 of online qualifier will receive an entry ticket to compete for the $40,000 USD cash prize pool in the live contest at Computex 2026.

 OC Champion: $10,000 USD
• 2nd place: $6,500 USD
• 3rd place: $5,000 USD
• 4th place: $4,200 USD
• 5th place: $3,400 USD
• 6th place: $3,000 USD
• 7th place: $2,800 USD
• 8th place: $2,600 USD
• 9th place: $2,500 USD

 

How many people here are going to take out a second mortgage to bin, now that prices for high-end kits have quadrupled?

To have a shot at qualifying, you'd need an i9 for both RPL and ARL, a board for each platform, and one kit each of H16A and H24M. That's like a $3500 buy-in before LN2 costs.

Edited February 2Feb 2 by SparkysAdventure

Not sure how that post contributes anything, it's plus minus the same format as last year. With Arrow Lake only, not enough participants for sure. Secondly most benchers still have their Raptor Lake rigs as it is still smoking hot and a requirement for serious 3D benching...
The ones that sold their good memory kits, will for sure already have regrets...

Get ready guys have a few surprises planned this year 🙃

Windows 10 and 11 interesting!

I don't see a problem with only allowing W10 or W11.
just the regular home / pro or is ltsc allowed?
Server / workstation hardware is generally not allowed during competitions, so why allow the OS?

And regarding the setup, I don't think anyone is forced to use both 1700 and 1851.You're free to choose, aren't you?
And since the Live Qualifier and Final will be on LGA1851 only, it seems logical to go for 1851 only,
If I decide to buy one of those platforms to join. And have some fun , i aim for te last top 5 😅

Just my two cents.

I have both platforms and RAM, but unfortunaltey lacking the CPUs, LN2 and time this year. Plus PTSD from my CPU IMC cold issues on 14th gen last year, I can't do it to myself again.

If it was one platform plus one CPU (245k/265k), I would almost pull myself out of the corner for another try.

longer comp duration, more time is good 👍🏻

Edited Tuesday at 10:33 AM2 days by CENS