[royarnekara]

I don't think the forums are dying, but I think it's likely that a highly adherent cohort of individuals upon whom FM made an impression some years ago (read: "heyday") linger, and whilst that cohort gets slightly older and stays tried-and-true, the younger people are experiencing rapid shifts in the way communication is handled online, thus the perception of reduced forum activity?

It's just a passing thought I had; but it seems that younger gamers/enthusiasts/modders/what-have-you may find it more natural or easier to communicate through means other than online forums, with those means being trendy these days (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and all of the other social media outlets that I can hardly keep up with). Maybe that's it? Maybe the target audience for FM isn't shrinking per se, but it may be that the forums aren't the primary way they get their Futuremark "experience?"

Not sure. It could also be that there are so many outlets for a similar target audience that it's heavily divided amongst them. I'm still excited about that Shattered Horizon space-sim-ish trailer that I saw a while back, myself.

Interesting point, but its pretty damn rare to meet anyone else out in the real world that knows how to overclock a processor. I think if I mentioned it on facebook nobody would know what the hell I was talking about. Not that I talk about overclocking a lot here either, but at least when I mention it everyone knows what I mean.

[avavavava]

Off the top of my head, I can think of three things. 1) Benchmarking software isn't that interesting anymore, 2) tech questions are more easily and rapidly solved through Google and Youtube, and 3) random chatter on here has migrated to social networking sites.

[petrarkaponye]

Totally agree with Waters, when i first joined Futuremark/MadOnion getting on for 12 years now, PC hardware/Gaming was alot more popular than it is now, these forums were constantly buzzing with Members & a good place to be.

But these days alot of things have changed since then....

With the likes of Youtube & Facebook.
Console Gaming.
Smartphones.
Tablets.
People just not intrested in Benchmarking, like they once were.

The reason OCUK forums are popular is because they cater for alot more things than Futuermark does.

[G778G9P0]

The URL has "game" in it. Many corporate proxies block this.

[Breilopmil]

Well, quite a few comments here which kind of confirmed my fears. When I joined in 2003 after the MO stage, I was here as benching was so addictive, we were in the era of the nVidia 5900 Ultra series and I remember trying to break 20k with mine on think it was 3Dmark03... was up all nights, teweaking, Had PC out the window at one stage...

All that seems to have gone now, not sure why? I suppose it's because the benchmark's also look crap compared to games, I mean 3Dmark11 looks crap compared to BF3 for example, also at them times Sli and Xfire weren't around so it was tough, and a proper challenge... people can get massive scores now with very little effort.

--- Post Update ---

The URL has "game" in it. Many corporate proxies block this.

Agreed I can't get on in work at Steria in my dinnertime... it gets blocked!

[pipittujbk]

The URL has "game" in it. Many corporate proxies block this.

^^
This

[Nzmoafzn]

Could you just put in the IP address?

[enentique]

I used to surf all the time at work when it was futuremark.com/forum but after it changed to yougamers, my work filter blocks the address. Typing in the IP didn't work very well.

[poulaMahmah]

I used to surf all the time at work when it was futuremark.com/forum but after it changed to yougamers, my work filter blocks the address. Typing in the IP didn't work very well.

This sounds like an issue that could easily be fixed, but they won't for some garbage reason.

[juidizHusw]

Pug

after scanning ocuk forum came here then went back to see 7 rplies on threads im posting in , came bak here and see none... sad isnt it

[rozalinasi]

As said, times change. The only way this place will become buzzing again is if FM changes with it.

[Anfester]

1) why would new customers come to FM forums? There are many much better techforums (fora??) out there.. even from my own small country.

2) As said, benchmarking and OCing are less popular. Last I OCed was my ti4200, trying to hit 2k in 3dmark03. After that it wasnt much fun.

3) Remove the damn yougamers. Not only because of proxy but also because it looks stupid

[Carfanate]

Pug

after scanning ocuk forum came here then went back to see 7 rplies on threads im posting in , came bak here and see none... sad isnt it

Exactly OC Forums are buzzing... it's is sad isn't it

[MilenaJaf]

Aye I noteced the same ten threads on the front for a few days in a row as no one was posting much.

Its a shame the advice here was always top.

And I met russ18uk when I bought his X800XT PE off him like 6 years ago!

(I think it was him!)

I also think im banned from overclockers forum, teehee.

EDIT: A reason I dont frequent forums much is becasue I am sick of having to defend myself against pedants and trolls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a43ko...eature=related

[vSzsgifP]

So you think the majority here would be for getting rid of yougamers?

[vicgirl]

So you think the majority here would be for getting rid of yougamers?

It is a strange name/branding? Wouldn't it be more suitable to have the forums listed as support?

[Sowsunese]

Whenever I see yougamers in print I immediately think of sloth from the goonies...

[alegsghed]

So you think the majority here would be for getting rid of yougamers?

Well I'm sure a lot of us would be able to read the forum at work if they removed the " Yougamers"

[Tribas4u]

Like it's been said, I don't really do any benchmarking anymore. The rise of PC power has been so much that most tasks are done easily now by chips in cell phones... the disparity between something overclocked between 800 and 966 Mhz 11 years ago and between 3.3 GHz and 4.5 GHz now just isn't as large, and it's all easy (toggle settings in BIOS) so everyone can do it. It just isn't the same.

Combine that with a much busier life, a wife, job, other forums (Subaru stuff), and it's just hard to keep up with lots of things. Hell, I bought S.T.A.L.K.E.R. from Steam for $1.99 over 2 years ago and I JUST started playing it a few weeks ago. Times change.

[welihiedginly]

I used to start my day with checking FM Latest Discussion section which was filled with info that I was interested in. Basically it was mostly benchmarking/pc parts and pc gaming. Some console gaming threads too which I also didn't mind as I still have a PS2 .

Now the latest discussions aren't usually anything I'm interested in. Just random stuff.

I'll wander into the PC gaming section sometimes but there isn't much in there anymore either it doesn't seem.