For years enthusiasts of performance computing as well as so-called professional overclockers shared their achievements online with other people without getting anything in return. But Gigabyte Technology, a leading maker of various computer components and other electronics equipment, wants to change that by kicking off its overclockers’ contest with prices equal to $12 thousand.

Gigabyte wants owners of Intel P35- and Intel X38-based mainboards from Gigabyte to share their results in 3DMark06 benchmarks. Since the results depend on central processing unit’s (CPU’s) performance, those, who manage to clock their microprocessors at a highest clock-speed possible, will have a high chance to win the competition. Winners of the contest will be determined based upon the same chipset motherboard, either Intel X38 or Intel P35.

The motherboard manufacturer also demands that a video of overclocking and the process of result’s obtaining were filmed, uploaded to YouTube web-site and made available to the public. Only North American residents can participate in the contest.

The winner of the contest is promised an Intel X48-based mainboard as well as $2500 in cash. Other leading participants will get from $200 to $200 along with some other prizes.

“The top 10 video winners will also take home Gigabyte wind breakers, Omega pen and laptop protectors are also given out to add excitement to the competition,” a spokesperson for the company said.

Gigabyte’s overclocker’s  contest emphasizes two important trends. Overclocking of computer components is not only becoming akin to a minor tuning of a vehicle, but may actually be seen as an essential selling point. In addition, social web-sites, such as YouTube, have gained enough credibility to pay thousands of dollars just based on a video and a benchmark number submitted.