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In Pictures: MSI's Master Overclocking Arena 2013 Finals
By , German Lopez,
1. Welcome To The Master Overclocking Arena

Back in October, we were invited to the Master Overclocking Arena 2013 Finals. Started in 2009, the MSI contest is now one of the biggest overclocking events in the world.

The online qualifiers started few months ago, where participants from all parts of the world showed their skills in getting as much performance as possible from their components using extreme cooling. Naturally, the liquid nitrogen flowed like water.

2. Setting The Rules

The online qualifiers ran in two stages. The first was divided into a pair of categories. There was Category A, where you could run any hardware available at the time, except for Intel's Haswell architecture, Nvidia's GeForce GTX Titan, or a server-oriented processor. And there was Category B, which focused on mid-range components like Intel's Core i5-3570K and AMD's FX-8350. It also included any GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost or AMD Radeon HD 7790 and down.

In that first round, the benchmarks used included the old-school SuperPI 32M, Futuremark's newer 3DMark Fire Strike, and Cinebench R11.5. The second stage utilized the same benchmarks, but with a hardware change for Category A. Haswell-based CPUs and GeForce GTX Titans were allowed.

3. The Top 16 Overclockers Compete In The Finals

At the end of both stages, 16 of the best overclockers in the world won tickets to the finals in Taipei, Taiwan on October 19 and October 20, 2013. We tagged along to document the event, so feel free to follow as we walk through two days of MSI's Master Overclocking Arena 2013.

First, we'll meet those 16 talented individuals who earned the right to attend.

4. Rbuass From Brazil

There's Rbuass, from Brazil.

5. T0slty From The Ukraine

Then, T0slty from the Ukraine.

6. Cyclone, Also From The Ukraine

Meet Cyclone, also from the Ukraine.

7. Vivi From South Africa

Vivi represents South Africa.

8. Lucky_nOOb From Indonesia

Lucky_nOOb hails from Indonesia.

9. Gyrock From Japan

Gyrock is from Japan.

10. Mikecdm From The U.S.

Mikecdm represented the U.S.

11. Gnidaol From Brazil

Gnidaol hails from Brazil.

12. Smoke From Russia

Smoke flew in from Russia.

13. FtW From Canada

FtW represented Canada.

14. Giorgioprimo From Italy

Giorgioprimo made the trip from Italy.

15. JJJC From Australia

JJJC traveled from Australia.

16. SniperOZ From Australia

SniperOZ also came from Australia.

17. Zzolia From Denmark

Zzolia hailed from Denmark.

18. Xtreme_Addict From Poland

Xtreme_Addict represented Poland.

19. OC_Windforce From Korea

OC_Windforce flew in from Korea.

20. All Of The Overclockers, Lined Up

Here's the crew with master judge and main voice of the event, der8auer, next to master judge, Hanna.

Continue on for the event's action!

21. MSI's Motherboards, On Display

As the event's sponsor, MSI had its Z87-based motherboards on display.

22. Graphics Cards, Too

MSI's newest graphics cards feature the same color scheme as the company's Z87 Mpower Max motherboard.

23. A Color-Coordinated Combination

Both components are running in a color-matched configuration.

24. This Time, Black And Red

These components match as well; this time they're in black and red.

25. An Open Test Bench For Testing

This open test bench is a true tweaker's setup. The SSD sitting loose reminds us of our own lab.

26. Ready To Compete?

This thermos is so cold that it's already covered in frozen condensation!

27. First, A Thank-You Is In Order

Presenting the co-sponsors with plaques for their support.

28. Is Anyone Looking?

Anyone for some free hardware? Quick, while nobody's looking!

29. The Master Judge, der8auer

The master judge, der8auer, speaks.

30. Dropping The Rules

The rules are made clear before the competition starts to avoid confusion later on.

31. First, We Protect Against Condensation

And so begins the complex art of extreme overclocking.

32. Laying A Foundation

Rbuass from Brazil makes preparations to his graphics card.

33. Plenty Of LN2 On-Hand

Branded containers of the cool stuff.

34. Protecting Expensive Graphics Cards

If you want bench-tested hardware to last, you need to protect it against condensation, first and foremost.

35. Gunning For The Best Overclock With An ES CPU

Yum. QEH6 Core i7-4770K CPUs. You know you're serious when you start hand-picking Q-specs.

36. More Hardware Prepping

A simple, yet elegant, cooling setup.

37. Keeping The Test Bench Clean And Dry

Impressively clean work for a bench setup.

38. Volt-Modding GK110

Volt-modding a GeForce GTX 780 helps facilitate higher voltage settings than would otherwise be possible from a stock card.

39. Keeping Cool With LN2

A high-end configuration gets tuned for maximum performance under an LN2-cooled block.

40. Dialing In For The Benchmarks

The contest is well underway, and the overclockers are dialing in their settings in preparation for their benchmark runs.

41. Taking Precise Measurement

When it comes to precision overclocking, you need accurate voltage and temperature readings.

42. The Leader Board, In Real-Time

Check out the leader board.

43. Getting Creative

Yes, that is a McDonald's cup being used to catch the LN2.

44. Keeping Condensation At Bay

Too frosty? Needs a blankie.

45. Overclocking Aftermath

Yes, that's a GeForce GTX 780 and it still works.

46. Trophies For the Top Three Finishers

The trophies, all lined up.

47. Third-Place Goes To...

Xtreme_Addict took home the third-place trophy and $1000.

48. And The Runner-Up Is...

Lucky_n00b finished in second place.

49. First-Place Goes To...

T0slty, from the Ukraine, captures first place in the finals. Congratulations!

50. Fun Was Had By All

And here are the winners of MOA 2013!