CPU performance Archives

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Monster Hunter Wilds gets a PC patch which Capcom says will fix the recently reported DLC performance bug

Capcom released a patch for the PC version of Monster Hunter Wilds to address performance concerns, particularly around the Support Desk area in the Base Camp or Grand Hub, where performance drops were noted when players had unclaimed content. The patch aims to resolve an unintended bug related to CPU load increases due to claimed content status checks. An upcoming update is scheduled for February 18 to further enhance stability and performance across all platforms. The latest patch includes improvements to CPU/GPU processing, adjustments to texture streaming and VRAM usage, a new CPU settings tab, expanded graphics options, and various bug fixes. The patch requires approximately 2.0 GB of space, with a total of about 31 GB needed for the High-Resolution Texture Pack. Players are advised to update their video drivers for optimal performance.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven’t forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig

The latest update to VLC, versions 3.0.22 and 3.0.23, introduces native support for Arm processors, specifically for Windows ARM64, requiring a minimum of Windows 10 RS5 17763 / 1809. This update improves playback across various formats, enhances subtitle rendering, includes codec updates, introduces a Dark Mode user interface, allows users to manage playing files, and addresses multiple security issues. The Snapdragon X2 Plus chip outperforms Intel's Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors, delivering up to 3.5 times the CPU performance of the former and a 52% increase in multi-core performance compared to the latter. Microsoft reported that 90% of usage time on Arm-based PCs is dedicated to natively compiled applications.

Winsage

January 4, 2026

Speed test pits six generations of Windows against each other — Windows 11 placed dead last across most benchmarks, 8.1 emerges as unexpected winner in this unscientific comparison

Windows 11 has been criticized for its high system requirements, increased overhead, and user interface regressions. A test by TrigrZolt compared six generations of Windows operating systems using six Lenovo ThinkPad X220 laptops, which were not officially supported for Windows 11. In startup time tests, Windows 11 was the slowest, while Windows 8.1 was the fastest. In audio file processing, Windows 11 ranked fifth, and in video rendering, it again placed last. It secured second place in file transfer speeds but was fourth in a malware scan test. Benchmark tests showed Windows 11 in fourth place for both single-threaded and multi-threaded CPU performance. In CrystalDiskMark, it tied for third place, and in Cinebench R10, it was fourth in single-core tests. The outdated hardware used for testing and the absence of an SSD may have skewed the results, which were deemed more historical than practical. A more suitable test would involve contemporary laptops to provide a fairer comparison.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

Why Modern PC Games Are CPU-Bound Again

Modern PC gaming faces a challenge where gamers experience underutilized GPUs at around 60% capacity, leading to faltering frame rates despite investing in high-end graphics cards. This issue arises not from CPU inadequacy but from gaming demands evolving faster than how games utilize CPU power. Players upgrading to more powerful GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XT report minimal frame rate improvements, particularly at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, with CPU cores being pushed to their limits while GPU usage declines. This trend is evident across various game genres, and even DirectX 12, which offers improved multithreading, struggles to scale effectively beyond six to eight cores. Developers recognize these CPU limitations but find it challenging to address them. Modern games simulate numerous elements continuously, rely on real-time asset streaming, and face difficulties in distributing workloads effectively across CPU cores. Additionally, console hardware influences game design, often leading to CPU-bound scenarios on high-end PCs. Performance varies between Intel and AMD CPUs depending on game design, with some games demonstrating effective CPU scaling while others do not. CPU bottlenecks are expected to persist as GPU advancements outpace CPU improvements, emphasizing the need for gamers to consider CPU capabilities alongside GPU upgrades.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

We used to be a society (with a good Windows Task Manager icon)

Microsoft has made changes to its Task Manager, including addressing a bug that allowed it to function with unusual persistence. The Task Manager icon has been redesigned to align with Windows 11's aesthetic, featuring an abstract design that has drawn criticism for lacking clarity compared to the previous straightforward light blue line graph. Users have expressed frustration over the new icon, which resembles vague imagery rather than a clear performance indicator. There is a nostalgic fondness for the original Task Manager icon from the Windows 2000 and XP era, which effectively communicated its purpose.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Leak claims new Intel gaming CPUs could be even slower than its current ones, which is pretty disappointing

Intel is set to launch its Core Ultra 300 series CPUs in early 2026, featuring the new 18A manufacturing process and built on the Panther Lake architecture. The series includes the Intel Core Ultra X7 385H and Core Ultra 5 338H, with performance benchmarks revealing that the X7 385H achieved a score of 20,000 in Cinebench R23 at 65W, while the Core Ultra 5 338H scored 16,000 points. The X7 385H's integrated GPU scored 6,830 in 3DMark Time Spy, nearly double that of its predecessor, but still behind dedicated GPUs like the RTX 5050. The core configuration of the X7 385H includes four performance cores, eight efficiency cores, and four low-power efficiency cores, which may contribute to its lower CPU performance compared to the Core Ultra 7 255H.

BetaBeacon

October 21, 2025

Retroid teases its next gaming handheld by proclaiming ‘The Future is Now’

Retroid has started teasing its next device, assumed to be the Retroid Pocket 6.

AppWizard

October 7, 2025

New Intel CPUs for gaming laptops reportedly leaked with Core Ultra X branding

A leak has revealed that Intel is set to announce at least 12 Panther Lake CPUs for the laptop market, with the most powerful models branded as Intel Core Ultra X. Key models include Intel Core Ultra 9 X338H, Intel Core Ultra 7 X368H, and Intel Core Ultra 7 X358H, which will feature four P-cores, eight E-cores, four low-power E-cores, and twelve Xe2 GPU cores. The Intel Core Ultra 5 X338H is expected to have four P-cores, four E-cores, four low-power cores, and ten Xe2 GPU cores. Other models without the Ultra X branding include Intel Core Ultra 9 375H, Intel Core Ultra 7 355H, and Intel Core Ultra 7 345H, all featuring four P-cores, eight E-cores, four low-power cores, and four Xe2 GPU cores. The Intel Core Ultra 5 325H is anticipated to have similar specs but with only four E-cores. The new lineup aims to compete with AMD's offerings, and Intel plans to provide more details about Panther Lake soon, despite previous production challenges.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

I just retested the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, and it’s no longer a complete lemon

Intel's Arrow Lake gaming CPU lineup, specifically the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, has improved significantly since its initial release at the end of 2024. Updates including BIOS enhancements, driver updates, and the introduction of the 200S Boost mode have contributed to its better performance. In Cinebench, the single-threaded score increased from 117 to 136, surpassing the Core i9 14900K, and reached 138 with 200S Boost. Multi-core performance improved from 1,995 to 2,045, and with 200S Boost, it reached 2,056, positioning it ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. The CPU maintained a maximum temperature of 78°C during testing. In gaming benchmarks, Total War: Warhammer III showed an average of 220fps and a minimum of 182fps, outperforming all AMD X3D CPUs. In the Mirrors of Madness benchmark, it averaged 119fps, trailing behind the latest Zen 5 X3D CPUs but outpacing the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. In Cyberpunk 2077, the 265K improved from 117fps to 124fps, closing the gap with the Core i5 14600K. In Far Cry 6, the average frame rate improved from 157fps to 164fps, reaching 166fps with 200S Boost. In F1 24, it remained only 6fps behind the X3D chips. Overall, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is still considered superior for gaming, the 265K has become a competitive option, especially if priced favorably.

Winsage

September 2, 2025

Windows 11 adds a wealth of new features with optional August update

KB5064081 is an optional update for Windows 11 24H2 that introduces a personalized start page for the AI-driven Recall feature, a new navigation bar, a "Recent Snapshots" section, and "Top Apps" and "Top Websites" sections. It adds a seconds display to the Notification Center clock (requiring user activation), enhanced customization options for lock screen widgets, a revamped Windows Hello interface, and a revised Task Manager with uniform CPU performance display. After installation, the build number will be 26100.5074, and it will become a mandatory update during the next Patch Tuesday in September.