UGM 2008

Ten years ago we launched ZDTV (which later became TechTV) and The Screen Savers, its most popular show. We wanted to begin with a bang, so Kate Botello and I decided to build the "Ultimate Gaming Machine" basing it on Lloyd Case's design from Computer Gaming World. In 1998, that meant a PII 400 Mhz, 128 MB of RAM, and a fabulously expensive widescreen Sony CRT (and a price tag of over $10,000). Here's what it looked like back then... There have been 9 UGMs built since then, the most recent for Attack of the Show in 2005 (which cost around $6000 and was a lot faster). Since I'm launching TWiT Live 10 years later I thought it would be fun to see what the UGM would look like these days. Only this time, we're going to let you build it. Starting Friday, June 6, we'll be inviting you to pick the parts for UGM 2008. From processors, to motherboard, to video and sound system, the choice will be yours. We'll spend a couple of hours debating the merits of each component, with expert commentary to help you decide, then when we reach consensus we'll buy it. At the end of the month we'll assemble our creation and then give it away to some lucky TWiT Live viewer. I'm not sure exactly how we'll give it away. I know I mentioned this on TWiT and proposed a crazy scheme to get me more followers on Twitter. All I can say is I must have been drunk. It won't be necessary to follow me, or Dvorak, and it definitely won't be necessary to unfollow Kevin. I'm going to check with the legal department and find a fair way to do this that doesn't require anyone to join Twitter! We'll kick things off Friday, June 6, at 3p Pacific, 6p Eastern, 2200 UTC with a processor showdown. AMD or Intel, which will it be? I'll have experts on both sides then I'll ask you to decide. June 13 it's Motherboards and Memory. June 20th, video cards and monitors. June 27th storage and peripherals. We'll finish the machine on the 4th of July, choose the best five games for it, and award it to a lucky winner. So join us Fridays starting in June as we recreate one of the most loved bits we ever did on The Screen Savers. It should be a lot of fun, and who knows, you could walk away with UGM 10!

Comments

[leolaporte]

-sigh-

[Tales]

You could ask Calacanis to sponsor you, he has the cash for international rates etc.. :-)

[Bryan]

Leo -- The UGM has been done to death. Take a new spin on it!

You just said on Twitter that you want to get XBMC working on your Mac Mini. How about building the Ultimate Media Computer instead?

[Chemicalspill]

Good point, i'm from ireland, whats the chances of us out of the USA getting a chance in the booty?

[Zoyx]

This is a good idea and will be a lot of fun.

But I think for your next computer project after this, you should go for a green and quiet computer, that can play every game, with the possible exception of Crysis. This is the direction that most computer buyers are going.

[Pleasence]

Good decision leo. I thought you'd gone a little too far yesterday when you added the need to unfriend kevin and alex. I understand your sense of competition with Rev3, but that was very out of character.

[leolaporte]

Exactly, Carolyn. One problem with all these live hours on the air is I often say things I don't think through and later regret. I have a problem with speaking before I think anyway.

We'll find a way that includes everyone and makes it fun.

[leolaporte]

As long as I can legally do it I have no problem paying for the shipping. I think most of the time people make it US only because there are so many legal jurisdictions it's impossible to make sure it's legal everywhere. I guess we could just say "contest void where not legal" or something. Any lawyers out there who can help?

[leolaporte]

Yeah I was way out of line - and I immediately regretted it! Stupid stupid stupid. It was meant in good fun in the spirit of competition, but it definitely came off as rude.

Please don't unfollow anyone!

[leolaporte]

Excellent way to kiss and make up. I'll ask 'em!

[Erlend Sakshaug]

Isn't this getting a little childish?

[Travis]

Please record this. I will be at work so I won't be able to watch live

[Dustin Sherrill]

Type your comment here.I'll be watching :)

[Kranky]

Sounds like a great idea. hypothermia.us did raffles for charity a few years ago through paypal, but I do not remember how he handled international patrons.

[KevinDoyle]

I think anyone who knows you (if only in the watching or listening of your shows kind of way) knows that it was not meant in a malicious manor and was all in good fun.

[LaporteFan]

Awesome awesome. Leo, you mentioned that you would not move to h.264 for about 6 months, presumably to give people chance to upgrade flash and give those with slower computers and Internet chance to catch up. But you turned the 264 switch on already and it seems to be causing problems.

I have a 20mbit connection and a quad core PC and yet the streaming yesterday was chugging along. I scrolled up the chat in IRC and stickam and there were hundreds of similar complaints, with people often saying they had fast connection etc.

Do you think it was a bad idea to flick the 264 switch?

[LaporteFan]

go away troll.

[Wayne_In_Akron]

Since this contest is tied to TWIT, I think the lucky UGM 2008 winner should travel to Petaluma and pick up their prize "live and in person" at a taping of TWIT.

[Robertv]

Great Idea Leo, but it's an expensive one!
If I win, can I swap it for one on your XL-2s? :-)

Also in the UK, should be no problem with getting it into the country as a gift, which means we don't end up with a TAX bill of 20-30% in import. Ouch. I so hate the UK sometimes.

[leolaporte]

I am testing various settings. So far it looks like the best compromise between quality and accessibility is 500kpbs VP6 for video and 64kbps mono MP3 for audio. We'll probably stick with that unless a lot of people complain.

But down the road we'll turn up the quality as most people can receive it.

[leolaporte]

Oh we definitely will. This will probably be the inaugural series on the Best of TWiT Live podcast. I'll post details when they're available, but it will be on iTunes like any podcast.

Mostly I just have to find bandwidth!

[FLetcher Warren]

...and it limits it to people who were around to watch ZDTV. I'm only 16, but have been listening to TWiT for well over a year now.

[eyedocmark]

Who's the YOUNG guy, already showing a bit of grey? Handsome couple. Can't wait until you finish my gaming machine. Sure, I'd be glad to go to Pet-a-luma to pet a llama and pick up my gamer.
http://Eyedocmark.com">Eyedocmark.com
eyedocmark@gmail.com

[leolaporte]

It's going to be expensive, but with any luck I can find a sponsor for it. (Crossing fingers.) This whole TWiT Live thing is a bit of a gamble, frankly.

[Chris G]

Are you going to post this kind of stuff on the TWiT Calendar - this is also some of the stuff I would like to see on there rather than only just the recording of the shows.

Can't wait, I'm under 16 so wasn't really a big geek when I was 5 or 6 ;) so it'll be nice to see this reincarnation of tech video this time round.

Loving TWiT Live so far and it can only get better, wish all the best for you Leo.