Friday, July 16th 2021
TechPowerUp is Hiring Motherboard and Memory Reviewers
We have open positions on our team for 1) a motherboard reviewer, and 2) a memory reviewer. TechPowerUp Reviews are renowned for their in-depth focus on technical and performance aspects, and are supported by a large selection of tests. We are looking for someone with experience tweaking hardware in general—and memory in particular—ideally with some overclocking experience. As a motherboard reviewer you should be able to identify the various components of a motherboard PCB, discuss their quality aspects, test relevant onboard devices, provide technical photography, and put the motherboard through a selection of tests that will evolve with your feedback and community interest. Likewise for memory, we'll need you to be able to push the memory module to its limits, to detail its OC tuning potential and stability (we're not expecting you to do LN2). You should also be able to understand DRAM IC choices, memory timings and their effects, and how everything comes together for the big picture.
In terms of language skills we're not asking for novel writers, however you should have a decent grasp of the English language, and be able to get across your thoughts, experience and excitement with the product to our readers, who may have learned English as second language.
Both positions are remote, part-time and paid. Ideally you already have some hardware on your own, we can definitely provide you with additional testing platforms, as needed. We'd prefer someone from North America/EU, but as long as shipping logistics can reach your place, any location will be fine.
While it makes some sense to combine the the memory and motherboard reviewer positions, we are considering both options—one person, or two—because we aim to maintain a high sampling rate (1-2 reviews a week, with a high probability of more during new platform launches). If you think you can handle both positions, please ensure you have sufficient time to accommodate both roles. Having your own contacts in the industry is completely optional, and the lack of any is not a dealbreaker in the hiring process. While it is certainly a plus, we already have close ties with vendors and can make the necessary introductions to get you going with review samples. If you are interested, get in touch with us by sending your application and resume with relevant experiences, if any, to w1zzard@techpowerup.com to discuss further. Any questions? Let us know in the comments of this thread.
Both positions are remote, part-time and paid. Ideally you already have some hardware on your own, we can definitely provide you with additional testing platforms, as needed. We'd prefer someone from North America/EU, but as long as shipping logistics can reach your place, any location will be fine.
While it makes some sense to combine the the memory and motherboard reviewer positions, we are considering both options—one person, or two—because we aim to maintain a high sampling rate (1-2 reviews a week, with a high probability of more during new platform launches). If you think you can handle both positions, please ensure you have sufficient time to accommodate both roles. Having your own contacts in the industry is completely optional, and the lack of any is not a dealbreaker in the hiring process. While it is certainly a plus, we already have close ties with vendors and can make the necessary introductions to get you going with review samples. If you are interested, get in touch with us by sending your application and resume with relevant experiences, if any, to w1zzard@techpowerup.com to discuss further. Any questions? Let us know in the comments of this thread.
131 Comments on TechPowerUp is Hiring Motherboard and Memory Reviewers
@tabascosauz you are one of those very few. just a heads up if you are interested! ram oc'ing gives me a headache.
I think I can offer some insight into the Renoir/Cezanne APUs especially on the IF and iGPU side - but I'm sure w1zz has got cpu testing covered already
can't think of many people with experience working in both camps except @buildzoid
I have every adaptor on this page barring DDR4 (see right hand column) RAMCHECK Computer Memory Test Adapters For DDR4, DDR3, DDR2 and DDR Testing, SDRAM Testing, SODIMM Testing (memorytesters.com)
#tabascosauzformemoryreviewer
What you need to test memory modules "in the real world" is "Professional Hardware Diagnostic Hardware" (PHD). Even with this, your still at the mercy that a memory module with the same make & model may perform slightly differently as the binning is never the same.
In-short, when someone reviews a set of memory modules on a particular set-up, it's only relevant to that set-up only, everything outside of this is invalid.
www.hardcoregames.ca/2015/11/05/counterfeit-ddr3-memory/
If requested I can upload a photo, but it will name & shame a few big company's. AFAIK I have caught up-to three company's with mixed ram chips under the hood, ie heatsink.
1. RAM OC is more of a little hobby so I am not the most knowledgeable about all the different IC and the deep stuff, but I am willing to learn and getting paid is a real motivator.
2. I am really worried about my writing skills as they are almost never used and I have very little confidence in them.
So while I would love to do this as I really love messing with RAM I don't think I am qualified for it, mostly in regards to the writing
Unfortunately no time with kids and work and everything else. Probably have spare time when kids are old and gone away to school or moved out lol
Good luck TPU!!
1. I'm a minor (and a few years out from being an adult)
2. I'm not super experienced with RAM overclocking and benchmarking, and while I'd love to learn I don't think being a paid reviewer is the way to do it.
Reviewing motherboards sounds fun but it'd take up a lot of space. RAM you can stack up 10+ kits in box in the space that 1 motherboard box will take up.
I wish well to the ones who do this though!
If it's a unit direct from the vendor, and it's a retail unit, than you may get to keep it.
If it's a pre-production serialized sample than it may need to be returned.
If it's provided by TPU via the vendor for the organization to publish a review than it could be under ownership of TPU, thus would be returned on departure by that reviewer. Or it could be granted to the reviewer as a bonus to the standard pay if the vendor does not require it to be sent back (I.E. if it were compensatory provided to TPU for providing a review.)
Each vendor plays it differently. My previous anecdotal experiences showed MSI, ASRock, and AMD to be the most lenient with review sampling. Generally not requiring whole units be returned, and often encouraging the practice of keeping the unit on hand for possible further analysis (in the event performance may be affected by an upstream change that should need a revisit.) AMD in particular has been the single most relaxed vendor I've ever dealt with for review samples, as they attribute the samples no monetary value and suggest it's a gift to the reviewer for giving the product a showcase; positive or negative regardless.
You can see it here byte 350-351 (DDR4). Serial presence detect - Wikipedia ...Die revision is at byte 352
EDIT: I'm an hardware modder, so if I went as far as to remover the heat spreader, I would fit a thermal sensor if it did not have one & fill in byte 8 & 14.