benchmark Archives

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter has a great PC port, but it is a small step back from PH3 releases

GungHo and Falcom have released Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter worldwide, marking Falcom's first multi-platform release globally and its first internal PC port in several years. The PC version includes various display settings, such as fullscreen and windowed modes, resolutions from 320x200 to 4K, and support for different aspect ratios. Graphics options allow players to adjust draw distance, level of detail, light and shadow maps, and more. New features include a "resume from latest save" option. However, some features from previous Trails games are missing, such as arbitrary resolution support and comprehensive ultrawide support. Recommended settings for the Steam Deck target 45fps, while the ROG Ally can achieve a locked 60fps with specific adjustments. Despite its strengths, the port reflects some shortcomings compared to earlier releases.

AppWizard

September 15, 2025

Thomas Cook India Launches Forex App ‘TC Pay’ For Android, Apple Users

Thomas Cook India Ltd. has launched the 'TC Pay' foreign exchange application for Android and Apple users, announced on Monday. The app serves business-to-consumer (B2C) customers, offering services such as forex card management, currency exchange, and international remittances. Key features include end-to-end digital fulfillment, real-time card tracking, and WhatsApp calling for support. TC Pay aligns with the trend of mobile-based remittances, which account for 60% of digital transfers globally, and reflects a shift in India towards digital payments, with over 93% of consumers using digital methods. The launch is seen as a strategic move to enhance Thomas Cook's digital presence and reach new markets. Despite this innovation, Thomas Cook India's shares fell by 1.12% on Monday, while the Nifty 50 index dipped by 0.18%.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

Borderlands 4 PC Performance Analysis: Terrible Optimization and Technical Issues

2K Games unveiled Borderlands 4, powered by Unreal Engine 5. The benchmarking setup included an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor and various graphics cards, including NVIDIA's RTX 4090 and AMD's RX 7900XTX. The game features adjustable graphics settings and supports technologies like NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 4.0, and Intel XeSS 2.0. Borderlands 4 lacks a built-in benchmark tool, and testing showed it to be one of the most demanding non-path-traced games. At 1080p with Badass Settings, only the NVIDIA RTX 4090 and RTX 5090 achieved 60FPS, while at 1440p, only the RTX 5090 exceeded 60FPS. No GPU maintained smooth performance at 4K, with the RTX 5090 averaging 40FPS. Lowering settings to Medium was necessary for playable 60FPS at native 4K. Visuals did not justify the high GPU requirements, and players reported glitches, including missing sun reflections and low-quality terrain textures. Grass pop-in issues were noted, linked to Unreal Engine version 5.5.4.0, with potential improvements in version 5.6. Console users faced similar performance challenges.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

IFA 2025: Accelerating innovation with Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11

At IFA Berlin, Acer and Lenovo showcased advancements in Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11, emphasizing innovation that is personalized, intelligent, and secure. The Acer TravelMate X4 14 AI Copilot+ PC is designed for small and medium-sized businesses, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor, up to 32 GB LPDDR5X memory, and 1 TB PCIe storage, with a lightweight design of 1.27 kg. The Acer Predator Helios 18P offers desktop-level gaming power with an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. The refreshed Nitro Windows 11 lineup includes Nitro V 16 and Nitro V 16S laptops and Nitro 50 and Nitro 70 desktops for gamers. Lenovo's Legion Pro 7 features an AMD Ryzen 9955HX3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, while the Legion Go handheld offers an OLED VRR display and up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 storage. The Copilot+ PC ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition delivers over 40 TOPS of NPU performance, and the redesigned ThinkPad models cater to data-intensive workflows.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Google Revamps Gemini AI App on Android with Material You UI Overhaul

Google's Gemini app is undergoing a user interface overhaul on Android devices, focusing on enhancing visual appeal and usability. The redesign features a pill-shaped input field with integrated icons for voice input and image uploads, aiming to streamline user interactions. Subtle animations and color adjustments align with Google’s Material You design language, while an improved model-switching mechanism allows one-handed gestures for toggling between AI models. Developers have noted bouncier animations in the Gemini overlay, inspired by Material 3 guidelines. The updates may position Gemini to manage more complex tasks and integrate further into users' daily routines with home screen widgets. Challenges remain, including integration issues reported by users. Future changes are expected to extend to tablets and smart home products, optimizing experiences for larger screens and enhancing control over smart devices.

Winsage

September 8, 2025

Early Windows 11 25H2 benchmarks confirm the update provides no performance improvements over 24H2

Windows 11 25H2 is currently undergoing early benchmarking tests, revealing that it does not outperform its predecessor, Windows 11 24H2, and shows no significant performance improvements. In tests conducted by Phoronix, Windows 11 25H2 performed similarly to 24H2, with a 0% increase in performance metrics. The benchmarks included 41 tests using a Ryzen 9 9950X processor and 32GB of DDR5 memory. Both versions of Ubuntu tested outperformed Windows 11 25H2 by approximately 15% on average. Windows 11 25H2 is built on the same servicing branch as 24H2, activating previously disabled features from 24H2. The update is characterized as one of the smallest major updates for Windows 11, introducing a few new features while removing some, such as PowerShell 2.0. The transition from 24H2 to 25H2 will be delivered as an enablement package requiring only a single restart.

Winsage

September 7, 2025

End of Windows 10 support: Acer Aspire Go 15 may be a cheap alternative for some

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is priced under 0 and offers a straightforward upgrade from previous models, particularly in performance, with faster loading times for websites and applications due to the latest Wi-Fi standards and a reasonably up-to-date Intel processor. It outperforms its predecessor in benchmark comparisons. Users may still find value in older models like the Tecra, which include features such as an optional DVD drive and a built-in card reader, but these can be supplemented with affordable docking stations. Additionally, old laptops can be donated to organizations like Labdoo.org for refurbishment and use in educational institutions, provided that data is securely removed beforehand.

AppWizard

September 6, 2025

Boffins build automated Android bug hunting system

Researchers from Nanjing University and The University of Sydney have developed an AI vulnerability identification system called A2, which is designed to discover and validate vulnerabilities in Android applications. A2 achieves 78.3 percent coverage on the Ghera benchmark, outperforming static analyzers like APKHunt, which only reaches 30.0 percent. In testing on 169 production APKs, A2 identified 104 true-positive zero-day vulnerabilities, with 57 validated through automatically generated proof-of-concept exploits. One identified vulnerability was a medium-severity flaw in an Android app with over 10 million installs, specifically an intent redirect issue. A2 integrates various commercial AI models for planning, execution, and validation of tasks, improving upon its predecessor, A1, which lacked robust validation. The system effectively reduces false positives by providing valuable signals rather than overwhelming noise.

AppWizard

September 5, 2025

Best Metroidvania Games On PC Ranked

The metroidvania genre has seen a resurgence, appealing to both nostalgic players and newcomers. Notable titles on PC include: - Hollow Knight: Celebrated for its beautiful landscapes, gameplay, and soundtrack, it has set a new benchmark in the genre. - Dead Cells: Combines metroidvania mechanics with roguelike elements, offering randomized experiences and high replayability. - Ori and the Will of the Wisps: Known for its stunning visuals, emotional storytelling, and fluid gameplay, it balances beauty with challenge. - Blasphemous 2: Features a darker aesthetic and punishing combat, refining mechanics from its predecessor while inviting exploration. - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: A classic that has significantly influenced modern metroidvanias, known for its intricate map design and iconic gameplay.

AppWizard

September 5, 2025

Cronos: The New Dawn PC Performance Analysis

Bloober Team will release its third-person action horror game, Cronos: The New Dawn, using Unreal Engine 5. Benchmarking tests were conducted on a setup with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and various high-end graphics cards. The game offers customizable graphics settings and supports technologies like NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 3.1, and Intel XeSS 2.0. At 1080p with Epic Settings, the top five graphics cards achieved over 60 FPS. At Native 1440p, only the NVIDIA RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 maintained fluid performance, while no GPU reached 60 FPS at Native 4K. Lowering settings from Epic to High can improve performance by 18–25%. The game features impressive visuals but has minor imperfections and fewer stutters without Hardware Lumen enabled. It outperforms Silent Hill 2 Remake in stability and aligns with typical Unreal Engine 5 performance expectations.