chip Archives

Winsage

February 17, 2025

Microsoft ends its OEM support for several Intel generations of processors in Windows 24H2

Support for Microsoft Windows 10 will end in October 2025. Microsoft will phase out support for 8th, 9th, and 10th generation Intel processors for Windows 11 version 24H2, meaning new OEM devices will not ship with these processors. Users with existing PCs or laptops using these processors can still use Windows 11 and receive updates, although future updates may have limitations. Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, which is present in the affected Intel generations. Only devices with Intel processors from the 12th generation and beyond, as well as AMD's 8000 series, will qualify for new OEM devices running Windows 11.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

Intel 8th, 9th and 10th Gen processors absent from Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 CPU support list

Microsoft has released the processor support lists for Windows 11 version 24H2, adding support for Intel's Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200 series processors. Support for Intel's 8th, 9th, and 10th Generation processors has been discontinued, following Intel's shift of its 7th to 10th Gen integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs) to a legacy support model. The official CPU support lists were published after several months of Windows 11 version 24H2 being available. The removal of support for the 10th Gen Comet Lake processors, such as the Core i9-10900K, has raised concerns, especially when compared to older models that remain supported. On the AMD side, Ryzen 8000 chips have been added to the support list, but there are discrepancies, including the mislabeling of the Ryzen 7 Pro 8945HS. The non-Pro variant is absent from the list, and Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI mobile chips, like the Ryzen AI 9 370 HX, are not explicitly supported. Microsoft has stated that new processors based on existing architectures will still be considered supported, even if not listed. Systems with CPUs outside the official support lists can still receive Windows updates, indicating a flexible support strategy.

Winsage

February 14, 2025

We need a Snapdragon X-powered gaming handheld sooner rather than later — How Qualcomm can challenge the Steam Deck

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips show potential for handheld gaming devices due to their impressive performance and battery efficiency. Testing of the Snapdragon X Plus on games like 7 Days To Die, Kingdom Come Deliverance, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider revealed comparable performance to the Steam Deck, especially when using Auto SR, an AI-driven upscaling solution. However, Auto SR currently supports only 14 games and is limited to DX11 or DX12 titles. The installation of games from Xbox Game Pass and the Microsoft Store on Snapdragon devices is restricted, with the Xbox app lacking a Game Pass section. There is a significant opportunity for a Snapdragon-powered handheld device, similar to the impact of the Steam Deck, but the current market lacks urgency for such a product.

Winsage

February 14, 2025

Windows 10 on the brink of extinction

Arm is planning to enter the chip manufacturing market, directly competing with major customers like Nvidia, who have previously used Arm's architecture to create their own chips. This shift marks a significant change in Arm's strategy, moving from a revenue model based on licensing fees and royalties to producing its own chips. CEO Rene Haas is expected to announce Arm's first in-house chip this summer, aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for AI technologies.

Winsage

February 13, 2025

This 5-star laptop is a “true battery champion” with 12 hours of screen time — it’s also only $799.99 right now.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is priced at 9.99 with a 10% discount. It features a 14.5-inch 3K OLED display and is recommended for its Snapdragon X Elite processor, which excels in everyday computing and AI tasks. The laptop includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Dolby Vision HDR support, earning a five-star rating. It has an impressive battery life of 14 hours and 14 minutes under standardized testing conditions, making it one of the top contenders in its category. However, it may require emulation for some applications, and certain niche software may not be compatible with its Snapdragon architecture. Alternatives like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i with an Intel chip may be better for users with specific application needs.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

Microsoft issues Windows 11 alert and says to ‘roll back to Windows 10’ now

Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop providing free updates and security patches. Users can transition to Windows 11 by purchasing a new laptop with it pre-installed, opting for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for older machines, or upgrading existing devices. Windows 11 has specific system requirements, including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Microsoft warns that installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware will result in a watermark and operational issues. A PC Health Check tool is available to assess device compatibility with Windows 11. The minimum requirements for running Windows 11 include a 1 GHz processor with 2 or more cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a high-definition display.

Winsage

February 9, 2025

“Roll back to Windows 10 immediately”: Microsoft issues stark warning to wily Windows 11 users

Microsoft has advised Windows 11 users on unsupported hardware to revert to Windows 10, especially as the end-of-support date for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025. The recommendation is aimed at users who bypassed Windows 11's hardware requirements, particularly the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip. Microsoft has begun blocking third-party tools that allow installation on ineligible devices, labeling such tools as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) or hacking tools. Devices not meeting Windows 11's requirements will not receive support or updates, including critical security patches. Users can continue using Windows 10 past its end-of-support date but will lack essential updates unless they pay for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

TrendTechie

February 8, 2025

Игра Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 только вышла на ПК, а её сразу же взломали и слили на торренты

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developed by Warhorse Studios, is set in 15th-century Bohemia and was released without any digital rights management (DRM) system, leading to unauthorized copies appearing on torrent sites shortly after launch. The game has received positive reviews, being recognized as one of the standout RPGs of 2025.

BetaBeacon

February 5, 2025

Reminder: Android watches don’t need sideloading gimmicks for gaming

There are actual Wear OS games available in the Play Store that are optimized for limited storage and RAM, and do not require hacking or destroying battery life. These games include simple, classic games that can be enjoyed for a few minutes on your smartwatch. There are two main types of Wear OS games: single-tap games and swipe games. Some popular games include Single Tap Games, Cactus Run: Classic, Jump Drive: Get Away, and "2048 for smart watch." Additionally, there are mental training and relaxation games available, as well as kids' games. While many Wear OS games are low-quality, there is potential for better games in the future, especially with the upcoming new Snapdragon Wear chip.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

No Windows 11 hardware requirement workaround for you!

Microsoft has removed guidance on bypassing the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 requirement for installing Windows 11 from its help page. This change indicates a potential shift in policy regarding the installation of Windows 11 on PCs without TPM 2.0. The workaround previously involved creating a Windows Registry key but still required TPM 1.2. The removal occurred between December 12 and 14, 2024, according to the Wayback Machine's archives. Additionally, Microsoft tightened another method for bypassing the TPM requirement in August 2024, while third-party applications like Flyby11 are still available but have recently been flagged by Microsoft Defender as potentially unwanted software. These developments suggest that Microsoft is reinforcing its requirement for Windows 11 to be installed on machines with TPM 2.0.