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Destructoid Holiday Giveaway: Win a $3,000 Velocity Micro gaming PC - Update 3! photo

Question: Are you one of those guys that stopped keeping up with PC gaming because you've spent a fortune on consoles recently and can't afford to? Are you dreading that upgrade down the line needed to play hardware-intensive games like Giant Robots Blow Sh*t Up and Sims 2: Can I SYD?  I've been there. Lucky for us, high-end PCs are starting to become more affordable: you can configure a slick SLI machine for under a grand nowadays.  I've also heard that a certain eccentric video game blog is giving away big shiny dual-video Quad Core ass-kicking gaming machine to a random stranger on the internet we've yet to have rough unprotected sex with this holiday season!

Destructoid has teamed up with our friends at Velocity Micro to give away some serious holiday loot all wrapped up under a slick metallic uniframe super hybrid armor chasis. This system is based on AMD's new Spider gaming platform and retails at a lusty $3,000: A better value than a used Ford and a cheap boob job.  Here's what you get under the hood:

  • AMD Phenom 9500 Quad Core CPU
  • Asus M3A32-MVP AMD 790FX Chipset
  • 2048 MB Corsair DDR2 RAM
  • 256 MB Radeon DH 3850
  • 150 GB Western Digital 10,000 RPM Hard Drive
  • 20x Lite On DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Dual Layer Optical Drive
  • Windows Vista Home Premium

Check out the product page for a closer look.  Bonus: Destructoid is also throwing in a copy of Crysis to break her in without mercy. RAWR! So how do you win in it? It's one part contest and one part scavenger hunt! 

Intentionally vague Instructions on how to win!

This is a scavenger hunt:  First, fire up that old dusty computer and head to the VelocityMicro site and see what they mean by "Perfect PC Experience" and ... well, you're on your own from that point.  We'll be giving away another clue each week as we get closer to the giveaway.  The contest ends the day before Christmas, so get entries in before you get drunk with grandma at Noche Buena. Hint: We hope you're ugly! Good luck!

How to submit your entry:

This is a contest!  If you find the clues and figure out what to do, create a Destructoid account and blog your entry along with a photo and title it "Velocity Micro Giveaway Contest, etc." 

FAQS:

Can I submit an entry more than once? 

Yup!  You can submit more than 1 entry, but remember this: submitting one entry a day does not necessarily increase your chances to win, Sir Spammalot! Remember -- we are judging the entries -- how will you stand out from the others by just doing the bare minimum?  In other words, the most entertaining, creative, and possibly hilarious or over-the-top entry that meets the instruction criteria will take home the computer. 

I live in Ye Olde Country, BFE, of some other nation.  Can I win or is this US/Canada only?

Yes, but there's a catch for our friends overseas.  The contest only covers shipping to the US and Canada.  That is, you CAN win internationally but you'll have to pay some fees for the shipping difference overseas and your country tariffs if applicable.  Otherwise, shipping is included at no cost if the winner is in the US or Canada.  

You've got roughly 4 weeks to think about it since the contest began, so have at it!


 

LAUNCH GALLERY (1 IMAGES)
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Contests Official Rules



No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

1. Eligibility: Destructoid.com contests are usually provided by sponsors who, due to customs and shipping costs (yay budgets), often limit participation to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (unless otherwise stated) and are 12 years of age. We encourage our overseas friends to be super sneaky and make a friend in the United States who can receive your prize, and then you two figure out the customs/logistics. Be cautious about who you trust, obviously. Employees of destructoid.com, their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Contests, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Contests (collectively “Contest Entities”) and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are *not* eligible and will be fired and publicly beaten if are caught participating. All U.S., federal, state and local and regulations apply.

2. Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

3. Entry Period: The start and end dates/times of each Contest (the “Entry Period”) will be posted on the applicable Contest site.

4. Entry: To enter a Contest, follow the instructions on the Contest site. Submission will result in one (1) entry. The number of times you can enter the Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

5. Drawing: At the conclusion of the Entry Period, we will select the names of the potential winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The number of winners to be selected in a specific Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, we may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Limit one (1) prize per household per Contest.

6. Requirements of the Potential Winners: Winners will be notified by the e-mail address associated with their account on destructoid.com.com and/or receive a Private Message on destructoid.com.com or through a Twitter Direct Message/Facebook message. Winners have five (5) days from the original message alerting them of their winnings to respond and claim their prize. If no winner comes forward within five business days, the prize will be forfeited and raffled again where Destructoid's hardcore fans are most active (forums/community blogs/facebook group).

7. Prize(s): The prize(s) (including each prize’s approximate retail value) available to be won in a specific Contest will be posted on the Contest site. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize. Prizes will be mailed between 1 to 45 business days after winners have replied with their required info.

8. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

9.Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Contest Entities’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Contest Entities be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

10. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

11. Contest Results: To enter the contest without needing to buy/sell anything or request a written copy of the name of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (stating the specific Contest you are requesting the winners for) to destructoid.com Contest Winners 260 King Street Suite 883, San Francisco California 94107. We run many contests, so please be specific in what you are requesting. Winner requests must be received within thirty (30) days from the end date of the applicable contest (they're always posted on our site though). Winners are usually posted the day following the contest on our contest section.

Lastly, Destructoid has the right to kick your ass and take away your prize if you are a total dickhead, so be cool and don't kick any puppies on your way to victory. Have fun with our contests and be a good sport when you win or lose. Remember: First you get the power, then you get the money, then get the baby.

 




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Yanier "Niero" Gonzalez is Destructoid's founder and guy-in-the-helmet.After 2,000+ stories posted and years of starting trouble on the front page he's now busy behind the scenes building the future of Destructoid. His story is our motto: "Living The Dream".

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151 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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next 50 comments

Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 09:59
Cheeburga
Oh man, so generous. :]
El Fajitas's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:00
El Fajitas
ZOMG gonna get on that right away :O
The Incredible Edible Egg's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:03
The Incredible Edible Egg
I need a towel and my dusty copy of Homeworld 2.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:04
Excel-2011
So what is it exactly we're looking for? I'm sort of new to these Destructoid contest things.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:09
king3vbo
Wait, Im ugly! Does that mean I win???
Dale North's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:10
Dale North
can I quit and win this, boss?
aborto thefetus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:10
aborto thefetus
I will definitely enter this contest. all the computers in my household are absolute crap, and I'm going to college next year so I need a computer of my own.
That, and I need someway to play Starcraft 2

God, I hope I win.
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:10
Kryptinite
Yes please.
rubadub's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:12
rubadub
@The-Excel

If you want to figure it out, dont really think about the contest or even the website, but think about how you would go about finding out the answer to any other question posed to you, given the internet as a tool to find that answer.
Lightthrower's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:18
Lightthrower
DO WANT! I had all the correct answers to the Kotaku's similar contest, i hope i do good here too :-).
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:19
bhive01
I'm in the same boat as Aborto. I have a 3 year old dell laptop. It has an ATI card in it that is slow and old. Because of this I haven't played PC games in years.

I think the last one was Return to Castle Wolfenstein. That was forever ago. I'd love to get this and Crysis.
WDot's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:20
WDot
Where do I turn in the answer? Not saying I have one, but if I DID, do I fire off an email to Destructoid or Velocity Micro, and to who?
The Incredible Edible Egg's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:23
The Incredible Edible Egg
Answer : DO WANT!
Brian Szabelski's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:24
Brian Szabelski
I need this. My four-year-old Dell sucks and I want Crysis.
Wobachuki's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:25
Wobachuki
hrm.. I'll make a stab in the dark, does it have to do with them referring to themselves as a "PC Boutique?" or have anything to do with the new GX Chassis? http://www.velocitymicro.com/mediarelations_pr_20050929.php

"Velocity Micro is the largest independently owned “boutique” manufacturer, focusing on building the very best systems available..."
http://www.velocitymicro.com/velocity_micro_acquires_overdrivepc.php
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:28
BlindsideDork
I can has gaming rig of awesome?
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:30
Excel-2011
I'm ugly. I have a fighting chance.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:37
Excel-2011
Okay, I think I understand now. Where do I send in my answer?
WDot's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:40
WDot
The-Excel: I pm'ed Niero, so that's what I'll stand by unless he tells us not to. =p
Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:48
Oni
I'll be entering this when I get home.
Surf314's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 10:58
Surf314
I give up
Fading Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:05
Fading Star
My computer is old AND dusty. Does that mean that I get two computers :D?
Ultramonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:07
Ultramonkey
I would kill to have a PC like that.
Rockvillian's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:12
Rockvillian
Serious matlocking under way!
Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:12
Niero
Update: damn, you guys work fast. Please cblog your entries :)
Wobachuki's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:14
Wobachuki
@ultrapeepee there is a dog in my complex that needs to disappear.
i'll have your winnings in small, slightly marked bills.
(upside of male stripping-naner hammocks, downside-skid marks on your singles)
Aerox's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:16
Aerox
@Niero

Is this something that we can enter every day? Is it a one-entry per person deal? (I kind of hope so; if the CommuBlogs are jammed every day with contest entries it will get real sad.) If you get it wrong once can you try to enter again?

Of course all of those questions are moot right now because I'm totally lost as to what I'm supposed to be doing, and I'm at work so I don't have a ton of time to root around.
Bas's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:22
Bas
Why not a Core 2 Duo? Or a GeForce 8800 GT/GTS/GTX/Ultra? Those kick AMD/Radeon's ass at the moment. This is not a serious gaming rig. KEEP IT.
Lightthrower's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:22
Lightthrower
But Niero if we c-blog our entries, everyone will see the answer.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:24
Excel-2011
Not with the right amount of censorship in a certain strip of your entry, Lightthrower.
WDot's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:47
WDot
Quick question. Should I just keep the blog hidden instead of live? Will it still be counted? Or is there another way I should hide the answer?
Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:47
Niero
The instructions are hidden but the way to respond to the contest is completely unique and competitive. You can enter as many times as you like but a lot of work goes into an entry, so we're giving people a few weeks to get it right. I promise to stop being super vague about it for those who haven't figured it out by next week :)
Aerox's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 11:50
Aerox
Thanks Niero, just one more question.

Does multiple entries mean extra chances to win? Or is it once you've gotten it right, you have your entry and that's it and everyone has an equal chance to win?
Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:02
Niero
Yup, you can enter various times for more chances to win. The winning entry is to be judged by Destructoid staff though, so there's no right answer. Once you start seeing the responses you'll see that they're hard to copy.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:06
Excel-2011
So it has to be witty and/or imaginative?
KyleGamgee's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:07
KyleGamgee
Vib Ribbon

Yeah, I can find "Perfect PC Experience," but I dead-end there. I'll have to wait for next week.
Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:09
Niero
Vib Ribbon - lol that's old school :)
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:12
Excel-2011
I'm ugly and I'm proud.
Ultramonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:18
Ultramonkey
Any region restrictions or is this US only?
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:21
king3vbo
Im so confused
Aerox's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:25
Aerox
Yea, I looked all over their site and I have no idea what's going on.
brosef's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:27
brosef
lol, wut? Oogly FTW?

I'm never going to get to play UT3 on PC am I?
wangsta's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:32
wangsta
I'm sort of the quiet troll here on dtoid but thought I'll give this a shot.

A bit confused though : made a blog entry...do I make it live? How would you guys know otherwise? Eh I think I got it wrong anyway.
Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:36
Niero
There's a make live button when you go to into your blog and click on "all my blog posts" at the top.

Shortcut:

http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/my_posts.phtml
the GAMEGOBLIN's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:40
the GAMEGOBLIN
I want the computer but I win shit all here. And I'm not ugly, so it's a double dissapointment.
Wobachuki's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 12:48
Wobachuki
I finally thought of the children. so I should by default win.
You know, on behalf of tha chilldrenz.
Brian Szabelski's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 13:02
Brian Szabelski
I am never going to get this.
ME4Twaffle's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 13:08
ME4Twaffle
I totally don't understand. There's only one place I've found on the entire site where they mention the "Perfect PC Experience", and it's not helping me. :\
Aerox's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 13:27
Aerox
After being massively unproductive for 3 hours at work tearing my hair out, I finally found it. Woot. Now I have to wait until I get home with my camera.
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