It's Back!!! AMD Extreme Performance Project '02! **Now Added Dallas**

[Wolfie]

Got home from the Minneapolis one. Was real lame. Got a Tshirt but unless you where geeky like the guy that won there wasn't a chance you where going to win the BOTB...

One thing that they need to do different is the music. BLAH.... gave me a headache..

Now if anyone saw the Ibook they used, I give you extra points... AMD could do better on something like this...

But with me wearing a Anandtech Hat, how come no one came to say hi? I saw that the Anandtech table was full, but it just didn't seem like real Anandtech type of people...

Wolfie

 

[snowdogg187]

I agree with wolfie on the MPLS event. They dragged everything out for 2.5 hrs when you just stand there with your thumb up your ass cause you can't hear anything cause their speaker system sucked,
or the people working there did?
I didn't win shite, but there were a lot of loud ass dorks that were getting off on winning a hat???

Total waste of a thurs nite, but would have been allright If I would have taken a cpu home

 

[Teekster]

LAME! LAME! LAME! LAME!

I can't believe I wasted my evening tonight (Minneapolis). I agree with the above statements about crappy music, standing around with your thumb up your a$$, etc. What a waste of time. I lasted for 2 drawings. After that, I didn't even want a damn processor. Furthermore, you would think that somebody on hand must be an AV geek and could figure out that speakers must be above the crowd in order to hear any distinguishable vocabulary from them. That was just as well, since the music they played SUCKED. The only amusement I got was from watching the bimbo struggle with her reading skills.


For shame, AMD. For shame.

This was a much more enjoyable event last year when it was staged from the back of a truck in the Mall of America parking lot.

 

[slappy76]

test

 

[slappy76]

Sorry about that last post..

I just got back from Dumbo Brooklyn (all the way out in NO WHERE LAND.. so even if you didn't like it there was nowhere else to go).. WTF was that crap about? Extreme?! Extreme crap for me to poop on! Didn't win anything.. they CHARGED for refreshments.. isn't this the same crap I could've seen at a PCExpo booth. Don't go not worth it.. If you're going for the free CPUs just remember.. they give away like 40-50 CPUs.. easily 1000 or more people.. the odds are against you. Waste of time. You could see all of this stuff at Compusa

 

[mnfenixtx]

Just got back from the minneapolis event. It was really lame. People were fighting over t-shirts and they had the crowd yelling for prizes. Didnt win a processor but got a hat, a bag and like 10 cases of mints. The battle of the boxs was dumb. The guy who won, Evan? stuffed the box. I was behind him he filled out two pads of forms and I had to fight him to just get one form. Evan's box posted and the other guy leif? was a dork. Took him the whole time to mount his motherboard. He tried using every screw and kept dropping them in the case. Like you need all 6 to hold it in, it's not going no where. His box didnt post, he got two tries I guess first try nothing, second he got a floppy failure. Agreed the bimbo did have trouble reading and that was the best part.

 

[bigrash]

I went to the NYC one and I think it sucked. Way too many people there and all I got was a bag after asking one of the guys that worked there.

 

[JubJub4]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Sweet! Hope I win something... San Diego is the closest location for me. Didn't they have a Los Angeles stop last time around??

-DM

city of industry isnt to far away from LA is it?

 

[drkclw]

...it sucked

 

[Orunitia]

Originally posted by: bigrash
I went to the NYC one and I think it sucked. Way too many people there and all I got was a bag after asking one of the guys that worked there.

Well at least you got SOMETHING!

Yeah I was there too. Really disappointed didn't win anything!
No hats, no handbag, no book, no shirt, no CPU!
I have to agree with most of you, the way they pick people for the battle of the boxes just sucks. I should have been up there. I knew most of the questions like 60-75% of them without even hearing the multiple choices (I like to call multiple guess). With the choices, I pretty much knew what the answer was. I do recall looking up PCMCIA in the past but couldn't remember what it stood for exactly but after hearing all the choices out I knew which one it was (recognition is always easier then recalling). Some of the questions were just dead give aways like what VGA stands for, what slots v cards get plugged into, what does SCSI stand for etc.

At the start of the battle of the boxes, I really had to laugh at Will I mean it looked as if he never worked on an Antec case before, he seemed completely clueless on how to remove the side cover the first few mins when it started. Afterwards later on, I think he tried to take the other side of the cover off. Maybe thinking he could mount it on a removal mobo tray? But again, anyone that's worked on an Antec/Chiefte type case know that there is no removable mobo tray. And I can't believe that they both switch the floppy cables at the end, I mean like wtf. Will finished earlier then Matt, he should have at least use his remaining time to check that his cables are correct, especially the floppies. Hell the host even gave them a hint about being careful with the floppies when he was explaining the rules and schit.

I think I might have overheard someone talking with Matt after the match, about him being colorblinded or something but can't be sure. But even so, colorblinded or not, he should still be able to see that red lined edge on one side of the floppy cable and all he had to really do was to make sure it was aligned with the pin 1 on the floppy connector.

*sigh* oh well, it was good overall, I usually don't goto much loud places. Didn't like the fact that some people were smoking in doors though; that was unkewl. Lastly, Yodster from hardocp had a good suggestion and I'll quote him on that:

"I completely agree about the battle of the boxes, it was so sad. They should definetly checked more then just IDs when the people were called up to the stage. Perhaps ask what PC stands for (or something of that caliber) and if they don't know the answer they should get a shirt and/or bag and be thanked for their efforts."

Oh, did anyone try packing the raffle box for battle of boxes? (filling out more then one form)

 

[wesbc]

Just got back from NYC as well. I was called up for the first group of the BOTB. Big tall asian guy. Anyway I only know of the Q&A from this post and wasn't prepared of the ones they asked, but still got a CPU.

First guy that finished building the box was way too confident and didn't take his time to double check his work. The other guy obivously never built a box as he was trying to put in the graphics card in before installing the MB. You should have seen as he was attempting to use his entire body wait to force the card in not realizing the tab for the AGP slot... I think he busted the tab.

BTW, this was a bit better then the Philly event. I think less people. Approx 300-500 I'd say. There was about 5-6 numbers pulled with no one to claim the prize. They had to draw approx 3 times for the very last cpu.

A hint for those going to up-coming event, if you want the freebies, especially bags, go right up to the stage... I got a total of 3, 1 was from being on the BOTB.

This turn out great, a nice little upgrade from my XP1800 from last year's event!

 

[wesbc]

Originally posted by: Orunitia

Oh, did anyone try packing the raffle box for battle of boxes? (filling out more then one form)

Only entered once, I was just happy to get a cpu. I would have had the same prob as I've never own and Antec/Chieftec case, currently using a Lian-Li myself...

 

[UfoKlLLerz]

the funniest part of it was how when the guy in charge asked how many of you are from anandtech, i heard maybe 1 voice. hardocp had the biggest crowd there. i got it at 7, but that place is total trash, but hey its free, what am i complaining about.

 

[Orunitia]

Originally posted by: wesbc
Just got back from NYC as well. I was called up for the first group of the BOTB. Big tall asian guy. Anyway I only know of the Q&A from this post and wasn't prepared of the ones they asked, but still got a CPU.

Really? that was you? I didn't think a fellow Anandtech would get picked out of all those crowds of people. What was it like up on the platform with the light hitting on your face and all? Were you nervous etc. and did it make answering the questions a little more difficult? Some of those questions the host asked weren't that difficult like that VGA question, what SCSI stood for, optical mouse question, and that T&L question, that's an easy 4 points out of 5 there You should have been the one putting that rig together, not that clown trying to force that GF4 card down the agp slot And what was that remark he made about someone's girlfriend? lol

oh well you got something at least.

 

[KLineD]

Originally posted by: UfoKlLLerz
the funniest part of it was how when the guy in charge asked how many of you are from anandtech, i heard maybe 1 voice. hardocp had the biggest crowd there. i got it at 7, but that place is total trash, but hey its free, what am i complaining about.

That one person was me way up in the front all the time. I cheerd for the orde too, but i did yell out when he asked if anyone from AT is there. Boo to you for not doing the same (since you heard one voice and it wasnt yours im making an assumption here ;o)

oh well. the book should be an interesting read...and yet another 80giger is coming to my door within a few hours so im not going to be crying over not winning anything

 

[Slikkster]

After attending the NYC event last night (see my post above), I thought about some things that AMD could do to make these events better. I sent this off to their "comments" email:

Hello,

I attended the event last night in New York City (Brooklyn). I was fortunate to win a cpu/fan in one of the raffles. However, I do have some suggestions for future events.

1. Plan for inclement weather. People had to stand outside for quite a period of time in a steadily increasing cold rain. Some kind of tarp or covering for people in line around the side of buildings would be a good idea. You're holding these events in November in some locales with very changeable weather. Make it as comfortable as possible for attendees who have to wait in line. Lots of soaked people last night.

2. Hold the events earlier. This is a weeknight, not a weekend. Starting at 8:30 and ending after 11pm is taxing on people who have to get up early for work or school the next day. There's no reason this couldn't have started at 7 or 7:30. It did start early for the "Partners", but this VIP/Non-VIP thing doesn't sit well with the lifeblood of AMD's company; its end consumers.

3. Everyone who attends these things should leave with something to show for it. I see no reason why AMD couldn't have given out gift bags with a hat, T-Shirt, etc. Another good idea would be to include a rebate form for attendees in the gift bag, like $50 off of a retail (not oem) CPU purchase. This kind of thing doesn't end up costing AMD much, and it engenders lots of goodwill among the people who attend. I've already read some negative comments about the events in Minneapolis and the one I attended in NYC. Read the thread at forums.anandtech.com in the Hot Deals forum about the AMD Reality Check events.

4. The "Battle of the Boxes" event should have more qualifications. Just answering questions --many of them memorized from internet postings from people who went to previous events-- does not qualify someone to actually build a pc. Some determination should be made that contestants actually have some hardware knowledge. Otherwise, it can easily turn into a lame half hour demonstration. Yes, no winner of these contests saves AMD money, but the idea is to show off winners, isn't it?

5. Do a better job with the audio. Hire a real sound company to handle it. You seem to be having these events in big warehouses that bounce sound all over the place. It's hard to hear/understand what speakers are actually saying in this kind of environment. A sound company would be able to EQ and properly position monitors for this kind of situation. Additionally, I've read/heard lots of complaints about the music selections. Too loud and obnoxious.

6. When the whole idea about this event is "Performance", why would AMD choose to giveaway downscale CPU's? If you want ambassadors for your products who can tout AMD's real performance, give away top of the line stuff, for crying out loud! Where were the 2400/2600/2800 CPU's? All I saw were 2200's. Don't misunderstand; winning a prize is nice and appreciated. But AMD is touting the future, and giving away prizes from the past. Doesn't make sense to me.

7. On a purely sexist note, have more women there! The overwhelming majority of attendees are guys, afterall. It's always a pleasant sight to see some friendly, cute
AMD women milling about the crowds.

My thoughts....Slikkster

 

[wesbc]

Originally posted by: Orunitia

Originally posted by: wesbc
Just got back from NYC as well. I was called up for the first group of the BOTB. Big tall asian guy. Anyway I only know of the Q&A from this post and wasn't prepared of the ones they asked, but still got a CPU.

Really? that was you? I didn't think a fellow Anandtech would get picked out of all those crowds of people. What was it like up on the platform with the light hitting on your face and all? Were you nervous etc. and did it make answering the questions a little more difficult? Some of those questions the host asked weren't that difficult like that VGA question, what SCSI stood for, optical mouse question, and that T&L question, that's an easy 4 points out of 5 there You should have been the one putting that rig together, not that clown trying to force that GF4 card down the agp slot And what was that remark he made about someone's girlfriend? lol

oh well you got something at least.

Yes it was me and I was quite surprise when I was called! Being on stage amongst your peers definitely made me nervous... since it's not something I do often. Yeah, those questions weren't hard, but they were the second wave of question for the second group. I don't even remember what question was asked or which ONE I got right. Plus Will was QUICK to the button making it harder to concentrate on the question when you just want to beat him to hitting that damn button!

I kept scream at that guy to put the MB in first, and not to JAM the video card into the board and flip the tab, but hey for someone who seems to have never done this before, he was able to put it together after all.

The BOTB budget for the NYC event was higher then the Philly event. In Philly the fastest CPU was only a XP 2000+, and the best vid card was a GF4 MX, they only had a budget of $600 to build. For the NYC event there was XP2600+ and GF4 TI to choose from with a $900 budget.

All it all it wasn't bad. At least it's not 6am in the morning. The time of the event is actually not bad, giving me time to drive to the event after work.

 

[kennethxu]

>7. On a purely sexist note, have more women there! The overwhelming majority of attendees are guys, afterall. It's always a pleasant >sight to see some friendly, cute
>AMD women milling about the crowds.

Bring your own .... I brought my gf with me , and she was picked to dance on the stage for Hats and shirts. I had a great time. I went in one hour early as a VIP with my work badge (hint to others: bring your work id and ask for VIP status). it was nice to have whole place to the VIP for a while, food, FREE DRINKS,nice polo shirts and bags. I even won a CPU during VIP session! and yes stand in the front does get you a lot of goodies

Here are my final result:
1 AMD Athlon XP 2200 CPU
2 AMD T-shirts
1 AMD Polo Shirt
2 AMD bags
2 boxes of mints
stomach full of tasty food and doesnt have to wait in the freezing rain.

 

[SIDEARMS]

Originally posted by: Wolfie
Got home from the Minneapolis one. Was real lame. Got a Tshirt but unless you where geeky like the guy that won there wasn't a chance you where going to win the BOTB...

One thing that they need to do different is the music. BLAH.... gave me a headache..

Now if anyone saw the Ibook they used, I give you extra points... AMD could do better on something like this...

But with me wearing a Anandtech Hat, how come no one came to say hi? I saw that the Anandtech table was full, but it just didn't seem like real Anandtech type of people...

Wolfie

Crap! I didn't know there was a Anandtech table.

 

[wesbc]

Originally posted by: kennethxu


>7. On a purely sexist note, have more women there! The overwhelming majority of attendees are guys, afterall. It's always a pleasant >sight to see some friendly, cute
>AMD women milling about the crowds.

Bring your own .... I brought my gf with me , and she was picked to dance on the stage for Hats and shirts. I had a great time. I went in one hour early as a VIP with my work badge (hint to others: bring your work id and ask for VIP status). it was nice to have whole place to the VIP for a while, food, FREE DRINKS,nice polo shirts and bags. I even won a CPU during VIP session! and yes stand in the front does get you a lot of goodies

Here are my final result:
1 AMD Athlon XP 2200 CPU
2 AMD T-shirts
1 AMD Polo Shirt
2 AMD bags
2 box of mints
stomach full of tasty food and doesnt have to wait in the freezing rain.

Ken

Was that your gf that was dancing for that hat? Sad... They were giving out bags at the Philly event for that.

ARGH, I brought my work badge to the Philly event but didn't get there in time, and just didn't bring it with me to the NY event, but that's alright as I was planning to eat at Chinatown afterward anyway. Also, wouldn't want to leave my gf out the in the cold rain by herself. The Philly's event they had more girls working then guys. They seem to be all missing in NY.

 

[Wolfie]

SIDEARMS
It was on the right side of the stage if you where looking at it. It was covered by a bunch of guys that looked like they had no idea what Anandtech was. I didn't hang around there much since the music gave me a headache. But I did look for Anand. Too bad he wasn't there.

FOOD? There was food at the NYC one? bah....

Wolfie

 

[wesbc]

Originally posted by: Wolfie
FOOD? There was food at the NYC one? bah....

Wolfie

It was leftovers from the VIP, that's why it was cold... and the vultures decended upon it like they had not eaten in days. There was food at all the event, but only for the VIPs. Nothing to be jealous about.

 

[Maliy]

Well I was on VIP in NY event, nothing really special except that you didn't have to wait in the rain for an hour, I didn't win anything special only got a bag and few hats. I would still say it was fun, I would definetly go again.

 

[KokomoGST]

Went to NYC as well... had to wait about 15-20minutes. I got nothing... actually caught a bag but a guy jump 5ft over with both hands to take it away from me... I only reached up with one hand.

Everyone that was picked for the 'jeopardy' rounds seemed like they were all "deer in headlights", lol
Kinda upset that I didn't walk away with anything... mebbe I shoulda played my "hey, my friend's an engineer down in your Austin facility" card, lol. Oh well... I did see the "cute azn girl" people were talking about... she wasn't that cute... I guess if you're in a giant crowd of dorky guys... heh

A few ATers made their way to the front toward the end but I never was able to pick them out of most of the crowd... our banner was scrunched up as the last one on the wall!! Heck even friggin Sharkyextreme got better banner placement. I'm not going to another one if they have one again. Yet again registration didn't mean jack squat.

 

[Tecnic2001]

I;m new to anandtech but just wanted to say you guys have gotten my great deals on hardware and so on........I went to the NYC EVENT just to see what its all about(soak and wet i was) but i ended up with a shirt, hat, and the last number called for the processors was mine what luck right..................The only problem is that i have the xp 2200 already!!!!!
I thought that maybe they would give out their latest processor like the xp2600 that would have been sweet.
Yeah and those guys up there doing the battle of the boxes were pretty much idiots I mean wouldn't you check to make sure the floppy cables were connnected directly and not do the same mistake like the other guy...