Intel Launches Core i7 Custom Desktop Challenge

System builders, start your engines. Intel kicked off a new contest Monday for custom systems built around the chip giant's latest Core i5 and Core i7 processors, with winners receiving gift cards, Intel products and more at the end of the Intel Core i7 Custom Desktop Challenge.

Entrants in eight countries, including the U.S., are tasked with building customized PCs in one of two categories -- Mod Creativity, for enthusiast-oriented desktops that feature innovative cooling, heavily modded enclosures and the like, and Lifestyle Innovation, for builders of "futuristic home automation PC platforms."

A panel of Intel employees, industry experts and contest sponsors will judge submissions, factoring in points awarded for each entry's overall mod creativity, custom paint job, technical enhancements, demo creativity and futuristic vision, according to Intel. A dozen final winners in each participating country will be selected in various categories, including an overall "Best in Show" winner, and a 13th "People's Choice" winner will be voted upon by visitors to the contest's Web site.

The contest, taking place in Belgium, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S., offers winners gift cards worth up to $1,500, Intel processors and solid state drives, Intel Atom-based netbooks and Flip HD camcorders.

Participants must be 18 or older and submit their entries to Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel by Nov. 16. More information on the contest is available at http://www.intelcorechallenge.com/.