Wednesday, July 5th 2023

TechPowerUp is Hiring a Motherboard Reviewer

TechPowerUp, your place on the web for in-depth PC hardware reviews and enthusiast news, is looking for a desktop motherboard reviewer. Our current reviewer, ir_cow, is going to focus on DRAM module reviews exclusively. The motherboard reviewer job requires a high level understanding of the layout and workings of modern motherboards, including detailed technical photography of its various onboard devices, VRM, memory, commentary on layout and ease-of-installation/use, as well as performance benchmarks, and overclocking capabilities.

We expect our potential motherboard reviewer to be able to identify key components of the motherboard, the various controllers, VRM, PHYs, and chipset; the expansion slot layout and the way PCIe lanes are distributed across the motherboard; and other important aspects, such as the motherboard's own cooling mechanisms. You also need a solid grasp on memory timings, and tuning for a given platform, and the willingness to explore and learn. Our performance testing involves not just the CPU performance on a given motherboard, but also that of certain onboard devices, such as audio, and those of storage interfaces. Some of our recent motherboard reviews should give you a good idea of our review format, article structure, and the testing involved.
The TechPowerUp motherboard reviewer position is paid, part-time, remote (worldwide), and would typically require an output of at least 3-4 reviews a month. Besides being a paid position, TechPowerUp will assist you with sampling from all leading brands. We will also provide guidance and assist you with baseline hardware such as processors, memory modules, storage, coolers, and everything else needed for testing.

Interested? Contact us at w1zzard@techpowerup.com. Tell us a bit about yourself, where you live, how old, and what makes you the right candidate. It's perfectly okay if you're not exactly a literary genius, or lack experience writing reviews. We are interested in motivated enthusiasts who understand motherboards and love to play with the newest hardware, just like we do. All the best!

We'll pool applications for two weeks and then go through all of them, so be patient. Please spend a few minutes on your application so it stands out, from the dozens (if not more) of submissions.
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122 Comments on TechPowerUp is Hiring a Motherboard Reviewer

#4
ir_cow
Where to start..

First off, I would like to thank Wiz for giving me this opportunity in the first place and for continuing to support me as I transition to focusing on memory reviews. Even though I had already been writing reviews for a number of years at this point (everything but CPUs at that point), TPU is a whole different level. This is the major league. Not to scare people away from applying, but you are expected to put forth your best efforts in each and every review. TPU is unique in that no giant corporation owns Wiz, which allows for truly honest reviews. Many, many, YouTubers and small sites struggle with finding a balance to please their overlords without being dishonest to their readers / viewers. Here, if a product is reviewed poorly, instead of being ghosted (aka unofficially blacklisted), things continue on as normal. Of course, you might find yourself part of a few follow-up emails, but if the review is objectively non-bias, Wiz and the team have your back.

The time needed to complete a review will vary per person. I am not Wiz nor do I hold any authority over you when it comes to the quality of your reviews (content). However, I am a very harsh critic. I am 100% of the mindset that if you cannot provide me with information outside the marketing material, it is not a proper review. A rehash of the spec sheet is just an overview. After reading a review, ask yourself if that author has helped you in any way, deciding whether to buy something. If yes, would you be angry if, after buying said product, you found that things were clearly missed in the review process? I see it all the time. I might find a product, meh, and someone else gives it a glowing review. Who is right? The answer is both. People are allowed to have opposite opinions, and this is why I always suggest reading multiple reviews if at all possible. It's just in my eyes one is more true to the product being reviewed.

As for the exact time needed to complete each review, you can do the backhand math approach. For me, it's 17-40hrs per motherboard. The shitty ones actually take the longest for me because I have to spend more time validating my claims. Once again, a personal problem. I cannot just take things at face value from anyone. You say it's a bad product, give me examples. When guessing the time it will take, round up, not down.

Finally, for whoever does apply, I am happy to assist you in the first few reviews by answering questions and giving feedback. It's really up to you how little or how much assistance you want when getting situated. You don't have to know everything, just have the willingness to do some of your own research because technology never stops evolving.
Posted on Reply
#5
geiasouari
Did you get a good PSU reviewer ??
Posted on Reply
#6
Readlight
Next motherboards with USB4, DDR5, PCIe5 will be expensive.
Posted on Reply
#8
erek
ReadlightNext motherboards with USB4, DDR5, PCIe5 will be expensive.
Needs to all be uniform

AM5, USB5, PCIe5, DDR5
NVIDIA RTX 50-series, etc
Posted on Reply
#9
TumbleGeorge
ReadlightNext motherboards with USB4, DDR5, PCIe5 will be expensive.
This is how it starts, someone manipulates people's minds, and then corporations take advantage of pre-prepared expectations and raise the price.
Posted on Reply
#10
bug
You also need a solid grasp on memory timings
Yeah, if you leave one timing out, I will not read your review :rockout:
Posted on Reply
#11
Avro Arrow
I just bought 300g of thermal paste so I'd be perfectly equipped (if I wanted to do it that is). :roll:

You really need to add the Bauhaus 93 font. :rockout:
Posted on Reply
#13
Macro Device
btarunrIt's perfectly okay if you're not exactly a literary genius, or lack experience writing reviews
Funny as hell, writing is the only thing I'm REALLY capable of. Must think about that.
Posted on Reply
#14
S73fan
geiasouariDid you get a good PSU reviewer ??
I wonder too ...
Posted on Reply
#15
TumbleGeorge
Beginner Micro DeviceFunny as hell, writing is the only thing I'm REALLY capable of. Must think about that.
I would welcome someone describing motherboards with poetry.
Posted on Reply
#16
Macro Device
TumbleGeorgeI would welcome someone describing motherboards with poetry.
You wanted a poet and here I am
Discussing my motherboard's VRM
It's getting too hot when I'm playing a game
I'm never buying an H410 mobo again!

What's up with the heatsink for SSD?
It only can lower your temp by a single degree
Neither does the capacitor work as intended
And this is why I don't place the tag "recommended"
Posted on Reply
#17
Sorry Dave I can't
Love the job but don’t have the skill set… That’s why I might be busy helping Nvidia redesigning that next revision of that 12VHPWR Connector. Or maybe getting more experience that I will share.

‘You gota push it all the way in’
Posted on Reply
#18
kapone32
I love tech and would love the chance to use product that I don't have to pay for but I am already closer to Retirement than not.
Posted on Reply
#19
mechtech
Wish I had the time.

Good luck on your search TPU!!
Posted on Reply
#20
W1zzard
geiasouariDid you get a good PSU reviewer ??
I think so, we're working out the test equipment right now
Posted on Reply
#21
buildzoid
evernessinceTo be fair he's overqualified for the position. Hence his comment that someone in his audience would be interested.
I wouldn't say over qualified. More just bad at getting stuff done in a reasonable amount of time. Also I suck at writing.
Posted on Reply
#22
R-T-B
geiasouariDid you get a good PSU reviewer ??
Those are exceedingly rare. Probably still looking I'd guess.
buildzoidMore just bad at getting stuff done in a reasonable amount of time.
Ooh, so basically me with more technical knowledge, cool!

Seriously, I know a tad bit, but hardly enough to apply. Best of luck to those who try.
Posted on Reply
#23
Lycanwolfen
You would not want me. I'n too technical. Like I would test everything like transfer rates on USB, Graphic cards performance and power usage, Raid setups in like zero raid 0 and mirrors. SSD raids, Reg Raids, SATA raids, wifi network tests 2.5 GB test I even have fiber optic 12 strand at home for LAN.

best Power supply I have used is Enermax if I can afford them #1. EVGA super novas #2, Coolermaster and distant #3. I will never use thermaltake PS's

Well as for tecnicial Knowhow. I been in computers since Apple IIe, TRS-80s and and commodore 64. Which I still own the 64 even got it on the internet.
Posted on Reply
#24
ir_cow
LycanwolfenYou would not want me. I'n too technical. Like I would test everything like transfer rates on USB, Graphic cards performance and power usage, Raid setups in like zero raid 0 and mirrors. SSD raids, Reg Raids, SATA raids, wifi network tests 2.5 GB test I even have fiber optic 12 strand at home for LAN.

best Power supply I have used is Enermax if I can afford them #1. EVGA super novas #2, Coolermaster and distant #3. I will never use thermaltake PS's

Well as for tecnicial Knowhow. I been in computers since Apple IIe, TRS-80s and and commodore 64. Which I still own the 64 even got it on the internet.
This is who I want to read stuff from. Million dollar question is, can you condense that into a readable format. Not so dry that it puts people to sleep, but somewhere in the middle. Can't appeal to everyone, just the middle ground. I miss anandtech stuff form 2004. Reading about XEONs server stuff being being overwhelmed, but I could look at all the charts and figure it out over time. Google one word and go down the rabbit hole.
Posted on Reply
#25
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Ugh i'd love to do this, but i'm also well aware i'd end up being extremely thorough on these boards and may not keep up with the pacing wanted for the reviews
the amount of BIOS bugs and issues i've found in my OWN boards is absurd, like how gigabyte somehow felt like breaking their BIOS if you enable rebar/disable CSM on their entire AM4 range

Even something as simple as lining up a kit of RAM to be 'fair' between the platforms can be tricky now, as well as how in-depth do you go with custom settings for things like RAM speed?
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