budget gaming Archives

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

How I turned a cheap mini PC into a AAA gaming machine — tips for inexpensive and reliable cloud gaming with NVIDIA and Xbox

A mini PC is an effective budget gaming option that allows gamers to play high-performance AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3, and Elden Ring using modest hardware by leveraging cloud gaming services such as NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass. To set up GeForce NOW on a mini PC, users need to connect the device to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, complete the Windows setup, download and install the GeForce NOW app, log in, connect digital stores, and select games to play. Key considerations for cloud gaming on mini PCs include the need for a stable internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed), potential subscription costs for enhanced experiences, the lack of a game library with GeForce NOW, and the importance of researching trusted brands to avoid malware in budget mini PCs. Additionally, dedicated gaming mini PCs exist but are often more expensive.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages gets Steam Deck verification and a bunch of portable optimisations, just in time for the launch of Microsoft’s new handheld

Doom: The Dark Ages has received Steam Deck verification. The game, known for being the first in the franchise to be fully ray-traced, faced performance challenges on the Steam Deck due to its minimum requirements. Update 2.2 has introduced optimizations for handheld devices, including general performance improvements, advanced optimization settings, and enhanced sound and visual effects. Players have reported a smoother experience on the Steam Deck, though with reduced visual fidelity compared to PC. The update also includes bug fixes for campaign mode and the Ripatorium, such as weapon balance tweaks and corrections to combat encounters. The Steam Deck version offers an appealing option for fans of first-person shooters, despite not surpassing the experience of traditional desktop gaming.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

For just $554.99, this MSI gaming laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU is a bona fide bargain

Walmart is offering the MSI Thin laptop for 9. The laptop features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, a 13th-generation Intel Core i5 13420H processor, and 16GB of RAM. It has a 15.6-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 512GB SSD. The RTX 4050 supports Nvidia DLSS 4 upscaling and has 2,560 CUDA cores with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM. The laptop's RAM is in DDR4 SODIMM format, allowing upgrades up to 64GB. The Intel Core i5 processor has eight cores, with a boost capability of up to 4.6GHz. The storage can be upgraded as it uses a PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive and a standard M.2 socket.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

Your Intel GPU could see a 4x frame rate boost soon, thanks to this new tech

Intel has announced its new XeSS 3 technology, which enhances graphics for existing games that use XeSS 2. This technology introduces multi-frame generation (MFG), allowing Intel GPUs, especially integrated graphics, to generate up to three additional AI-driven frames between hardware-rendered frames. Gamers can choose frame generation modes of 2x, 3x, or 4x through the Intel Graphics Software app, with a recommendation for a base frame rate of over 60fps to avoid graphical issues. XeSS-MFG will be supported across Intel's entire Xe GPU lineup, starting with Intel Core Ultra 200 series CPUs with Xe2 cores and Intel Arc A and B-series GPUs, with plans for future support for older Xe1 GPUs. Performance tests showed significant frame rate increases in games like Painkiller and Dying Light The Beast when using the new technology.

AppWizard

October 7, 2025

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X review – now my favorite budget gaming CPU

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a budget gaming CPU with six cores and a peak boost clock of 5.4GHz, priced at 9 after a reduction from its initial price of 9. It features 12 threads, a 65W TDP, and is built on the AMD Zen 5 architecture with Socket AM5 compatibility. The CPU has a 32MB L3 cache and supports Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT). In gaming benchmarks, it outperformed the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Intel Core i5 14600K in several titles, achieving an average of 211fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at High settings. However, it lags behind in multi-threaded applications, scoring 16,286 at 65W TDP in Cinebench R23, compared to the Core i5 14600K's score of 23,990. The 9600X's thermal performance is efficient, peaking at 68°C during tests.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

Grab this flash Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 gaming PC for just $799, if you’re quick

Walmart is offering a CyberPower budget gaming PC for , featuring an Nvidia Blackwell gaming GPU, an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F CPU, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and 16GB of DDR5 RAM. The Nvidia GPU supports DLSS 4 technology, achieving 70fps in Doom The Dark Ages at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, which can increase to 238fps with DLSS 4 upscaling. The Ryzen 5 CPU has six cores and can boost up to 4.7GHz, but has less L3 cache compared to more powerful CPUs. The system's RAM is configured on a single DIMM, which may limit performance, and the PC features RGB fans and a visually appealing case. Over 100 units have been sold in a single day.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Amazingly, this $835.99 Lenovo gaming laptop has an Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU, G-Sync, and 32GB of RAM

Walmart is offering a Lenovo gaming laptop for .99, featuring an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync support, and powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS processor. The laptop provides enhanced gaming performance and multitasking capabilities, significantly exceeding typical budget gaming laptop specifications.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

‘Not every story is told in that way’: Phil Spencer says that live service games aren’t the answer to every problem, and that smaller games play an important role

Live service games are seen as a way to maximize shareholder value in the gaming industry, with EA's CEO suggesting they could have improved Dragon Age: The Veilguard's performance. A GDC survey found that about one-third of triple-A developers are working on live service titles, though some industry leaders are concerned about their prevalence in high-budget gaming. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, expressed reservations about all games becoming service-based, emphasizing the importance of narrative and creative integrity. Xbox has acquired Activision Blizzard, which includes franchises like Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty, but is also promoting single-player experiences. Spencer highlighted the need for diverse storytelling, recalling his appreciation for games like Limbo. Some developers, including former Dragon Age team members and Hazelight's Josef Fares, oppose the push for live service elements, advocating for complete narratives. Spencer noted Xbox's ability to invest in various gaming experiences, supporting both live service and traditional games with defined narratives.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

Rainmeter is an impressive Windows customization tool

Users are exploring alternatives to the default File Explorer in Windows 11, with OneCommander being a popular choice among enthusiasts. Various recommendations from the community include Total Commander and Directory Opus. A user experienced burn-in on their QD-OLED monitor after using a static image for a year but found relief by switching to dynamic wallpaper. They appreciate QD-OLED technology and plan to upgrade to a newer generation panel. The Linux ecosystem features numerous distributions, with the user rotating between NixOS, Pop_OS!, Debian, and Q4OS based on their needs. A user transformed an outdated dual-Xeon CPU and motherboard into a home lab and budget gaming system, highlighting its versatility. Despite being a professional writer, the user relies on four fingers for typing and feels retraining could hinder productivity. Their first laptop was a Dell Inspiron 8500, which sparked their interest in technology. Microsoft’s OneDrive integration in Windows 11 has mixed reviews, with some users disabling automatic backups for a cleaner workspace. The gradual rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2 has not introduced significant changes, leading some users to wait for broader adoption. A Discord server dedicated to co-working has helped one user maintain productivity while working from home. The challenge of non-repairable tech is noted, with companies like Framework promoting sustainability through repairable products. Opinions on drive partitioning vary, with some advocating for multiple partitions while others prefer a single partition for simplicity. Casual gaming with Vampire Survivors has become a favorite for low-stress gameplay. The need for RAM in gaming PCs is increasing, with 16GB being standard and 32GB ideal for many users. The user was motivated to build their first PC for better gaming performance, inspired by the original Titanfall game. They transformed an old PC into a smart home hub using Home Assistant, enhancing device management. Obsidian is being explored for running tabletop RPGs, showcasing its versatility. The user transitioned from the unreliable Snipping Tool to Greenshot for capturing screenshots. Odd-length M.2 drives are noted as scarce in consumer markets despite the rise of smaller NVMe SSDs. The user is exploring alternative browsers like Floorp and Vivaldi after years of using Chrome.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

The best deals in the 2024 Steam Autumn Sale

The 2024 Steam Autumn Sale has launched, offering significant discounts on a variety of games, including popular titles like Palworld and Helldivers 2. While Helldivers 2 is still at full price, other noteworthy releases are available at reduced prices. The sale features several Game of the Year winners from 2023, many of which are now cheaper than during the previous Steam Winter Sale. There are categories for games priced under various amounts, catering to different budgets, with hidden gems and classics included. Elden Ring remains at full price due to its upcoming DLC, but the other ten Game of the Year winners are discounted.