1. The contest
The Monthly Build Contest is a skill-based build-design contest run by UFD Media (“UFD”, “we”). Each month has its own theme, budget cap, entry window, and prize list, published on the contest page. Entries are judged live on the UFD stream — this is not a random-draw sweepstakes. Judging weighs how well the build executes the theme, smart part choices and value for the budget, and your pitch; the final call is UFD’s.
2. Entering is free
No purchase is necessary to enter or win, and buying anything does not improve your chances. Entering takes a free UFDForge account, a saved build that passes the automated checks (complete, compatible, in-stock parts, under the month’s budget cap — checked at the prices in effect when you enter), and a short pitch. By entering, you agree to these rules.
You may enter more than one build, but each person can take at most one podium placement per month — if more than one of your entries would place, we count your highest and the next entrant moves up. Point prizes are StreamElements points on the UFD Twitch channel, so receiving them requires a linked Twitch account.
3. Who can enter
Anyone can enter, place, and earn StreamElements point prizes, wherever you live. You must be 18 or older, or have a parent or guardian’s permission. If a winner is under 18, a parent or guardian must confirm the win, accept the prize, and handle any tax paperwork on their behalf. Void where prohibited by law.
4. The built-PC prize (opt-in, US shipping only)
When a month’s prize list includes the built-PC prize, the winning entry is built by UFD and shipped to the winner at no cost. We build to the as-entered part list; if a part is unavailable when we build, or its price has moved substantially since entry, we may substitute a part of equivalent class and quality — the finished PC will match or beat the performance and spirit of the winning entry.
Because of shipping and legal practicalities, this prize requires a physical street shipping address in the 50 US states or DC (no PO boxes or package-forwarding services; other US addresses, such as APO/FPO or US territories, at our discretion). The prize is opt-in: when entering, you confirm you meet that requirement, accept these rules, and link the build that matches your current PC — or tell us you don’t have one yet — so the judges can see where you’re starting from. An honest answer is a condition of the opt-in.
Where you live never affects your ability to place or earn points. The built-PC prize follows the podium: it goes to the highest-placed entry (winner, then second, then third) that opted in and qualifies. When a month pairs the built PC with a reduced points bonus, the month’s larger points prizes go, in placement order, to the podium entries that don’t receive the PC — no person collects both the PC and the top points prize. An entrant the PC skips keeps their full points prize. The community-favorite award is separate: it goes to the most-voted entry not already on the podium, and is never part of the PC chain. If no opted-in qualifying entry places on the podium — or every eligible recipient fails verification or doesn’t claim it — the built-PC prize may go unawarded that month.
Points that depend on who receives the PC are confirmed once the recipient is verified — usually within a few days of the announcement. Points already granted are never taken back: if the PC passes down after the announcement, only the PC and its points bonus move.
The prize has no cash alternative and can’t be transferred or exchanged. Any taxes on prizes are the winner’s responsibility, and US winners may be asked to complete a tax form (such as a W-9) before the prize ships; declining required paperwork counts as not claiming the prize.
5. Winner notification, verification, and shipping
Winners are announced live on the UFD stream and marked on the contest page. If you win the built-PC prize, we’ll contact you through your linked account (Twitch or Discord) or the email you sign in to UFDForge with, to verify eligibility and collect your shipping address — we only ask the winner, never entrants. We will never ask for payment, gift cards, or account credentials; if a message about winning feels off, verify it in the UFD Discord before replying. If we can’t reach you, you don’t claim the prize within 14 days of being contacted, or verification fails, the prize passes down the placements as described above.
Please allow up to 8 weeks from when the final recipient is confirmed for the built PC to arrive: we source, build, and test every prize PC — and it may be featured in UFD videos — before it ships. The PC ships insured, and we make sure it arrives working. After delivery, coverage comes from the individual parts’ manufacturer warranties — we’ll point you in the right direction if something fails later, but UFD isn’t a warranty provider.
6. Fair play
The part list that counts is frozen when the automated checks run — editing a build after entering doesn’t change the as-entered list our judges score, and post-entry edits are flagged to them. Entries must be your own work: cloning another entrant’s build (or entering a copy with trivial changes) can be disqualified. Misrepresenting your current rig, your shipping eligibility, or your identity disqualifies the entry, and UFD may disqualify entries that break the theme rules, game the checks, or contain content that violates our Terms of Service. We can void or reclaim grants tied to fraudulent entries, and may pause or adjust the contest if something breaks or is being abused — making affected entrants whole where we reasonably can. UFD’s judging decisions are final.
7. Publicity and privacy
Entries, pitches, and public handles are visible on the contest page and may be shown and discussed on UFD streams and videos. Your linked current rig is only visible to contest admins. Shipping details are used solely to verify eligibility and deliver the prize and are not stored on UFDForge.
8. General
This contest is run by UFD Media and is not sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Twitch, StreamElements, Amazon, Newegg, or any hardware manufacturer. If a short prize summary elsewhere on the site ever conflicts with these rules, these rules control. We may update these rules; while a contest is open we only make additions or clarifications that don’t reduce a prize anyone has already qualified for. The current version always lives at this page. Questions? Ask in the UFD Discord or email business@ufdmedia.com.