DDR5 Archives

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

We tested Advanced Shader Delivery on the RX 9070 XT in six games — up to 95% improvement in load times and 33 percent faster 1% Low FPS

Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) significantly reduces load times and improves frame rates in games. In tests across six titles, loading times improved by up to 95%, and certain games showed enhancements in 1% low FPS metrics. ASD allows precompiled shaders to be included with game downloads, preventing shader compilation stutter. Forza Horizon 6 saw load times decrease from 48 seconds to 2 seconds (96% improvement), while The Outer Worlds 2's load time dropped from nearly three minutes to 9 seconds (95% reduction). Ninja Gaiden 4 experienced smoother gameplay with ASD enabled, despite no pre-compilation step. Avowed's load time improved by 78%, reducing the wait by over two minutes. Hogwarts Legacy had a 56% reduction in load time, while Silent Hill f did not benefit from ASD in terms of load times but still faced shader compilation stutters.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Save $400 on this Nvidia RTX 5080 gaming PC that’s cheaper than you could build yourself

iBuyPower is offering substantial discounts on pre-built gaming PCs during their Memorial Day sale, with the RDY Trace X B01 model featuring an RTX 5080 graphics card, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2TB SSD, a 360mm AIO CPU cooler, and an 850W power supply. The original price of the RDY Trace X B01 was ,199, but it has been reduced to ,799. The system is powered by an Intel Core i9 14900KF CPU on a Z790 motherboard. While it may not perform as well for gaming compared to AMD's latest processors, it is a solid choice for those not concerned with future upgrades. The closest comparable build found on PCPartPicker totaled ,796.79, excluding a Windows license and peripherals.

Winsage

May 18, 2026

Why Your Windows 11 PC Doesn’t Get AI Features

Several hundred million Windows 11 users are experiencing frustrations due to the absence of Microsoft features like Recall and Cocreator, which are only available on Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft has divided Windows 11 into two tiers, with the latest AI functionalities requiring specific hardware known as Copilot+ PC. To qualify, a device must have: - An NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS - A minimum of 16 GB of RAM (DDR5 or LPDDR5) - At least 256 GB of SSD storage - Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer - A processor from specific families: Qualcomm Snapdragon X series, Intel Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake), or AMD Ryzen AI 300 series Many PCs lack these features due to missing NPUs, insufficient TOPS ratings, unsupported processor generations, outdated Windows versions, rollout delays, or regional limits. Features locked behind Copilot+ include Recall, Click to Do, Cocreator in Paint, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions with Translation, Improved Windows Search, and Auto Super Resolution. To check for Copilot+ compatibility, users can verify the presence of an NPU in Task Manager, ensure they have Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and confirm their processor against the approved list. While some workarounds exist to enable features on unsupported PCs, they are often unstable and not recommended for primary use. Most users may not need to upgrade their laptops unless they require on-device AI features or their current device is significantly outdated. The AI feature gap is not currently critical for most users, as many features are optional or not essential.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

My Windows 11 PC now has the iconic Windows XP taskbar, and it’s weirdly perfect

An enthusiast with a gaming PC featuring an RTX 4070 Ti and 32GB of DDR5 RAM integrated a Windows XP taskbar into their Windows 11 setup using Windhawk, a customization tool. After installing Windhawk, they selected the "WinXP" theme from the "Windows 11 Taskbar Styler" mod, transforming the taskbar into a nostalgic XP version without compromising functionality. Core features like notifications and pinned applications remained intact, and the system tray adopted the XP theme. The user also explored various other mods, including real-time CPU and RAM usage display, a middle-click application close feature, and a volume control center on the taskbar, enhancing their personalized computing experience.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Steam Machine release window, specs, and price estimate

The Steam Machine is a compact gaming system developed by Valve that allows users to access their Steam library from a living room setup. It features a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 six-core CPU, an AMD RDNA 3 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and options for 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD storage. The device supports 4K gaming through AMD's FSR upscaling technology and includes various connectivity options such as DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB ports. Its dimensions are 156 x 162.4 x 152mm, and it weighs 2.6 kg. Valve has hinted at a release window of "early 2026" and is targeting a price around 9 for the 512GB model and 9 for the 2TB version, although market conditions may affect final pricing.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Knockout CLX RTX 5080 gaming PC deal with 285K and insane 64GB DDR5 RAM also comes with free games

The CLX Set gaming PC features an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor and an RTX 5080 graphics card, designed for high frame rates at 4K and 1440p resolutions. It includes 64GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2TB SSD, and a 4TB HDD, catering to both gaming enthusiasts and professionals. The current price is ,600.99, reduced by , and includes two games: PRAGMATA and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, valued at .99 and .99, respectively. The system is capable of handling demanding tasks such as encryption, encoding, 4K video editing, and AI applications. The RTX 5080 supports seamless 4K gaming and content creation, with options for overclocking.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

I saw the Windows 10 users holding out in Steam and wondered: Is this by choice, or are you priced out of PC gaming upgrades?

The April 2026 Steam survey results show that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 8GB of VRAM remains the most common discrete graphics card among users. Approximately 25% of Windows users are utilizing Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as Windows 10 nears its End-of-Life phase. The usage of Linux and macOS has slightly decreased, with Arch Linux identified as the leading distribution for Valve's SteamOS. Despite Microsoft's recommendation for 32GB of RAM, 16GB is still the most prevalent configuration among users.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

PlayStation 5 Linux Tested: Steam PC vs Native PS5 Games

Linux has been successfully implemented on the PlayStation 5, allowing users to run an open operating system on the console. This implementation, led by security researcher Andy Nguyen (TheFlow), utilizes an exploit for PS5 consoles with system software versions up to 4.5. Users can boot Linux from a USB or SSD, with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS providing around 15GB of usable memory. The PS5's hardware, including its Zen 2 processor and GPU, is fully accessible, with CPU speeds reaching up to 3.5GHz and GPU speeds up to 2.23GHz when boost mode is activated. However, running Linux on the PS5 presents challenges, such as sourcing a unit with the required firmware and limitations in resolution, as users cannot exceed 1080p. Performance tests showed that Linux can match the PS5's performance in some titles, but issues with memory management were noted, leading to stuttering and crashes in certain games. For example, reducing texture quality improved performance in games like Pragmata, while rendering issues were observed in Crimson Desert. The implementation allows for a unique gaming experience, but it also highlights the complexities and limitations of running Linux on a gaming console.

TrendTechie

May 3, 2026

Обзор корпуса Fractal Design Torrent Compact

Fractal Design has launched the Torrent series of cases, including the Torrent Compact, designed for maximum efficiency and airflow. The Torrent Compact supports various motherboard sizes (E-ATX, ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX) and features a top-mounted power supply, seven expansion slots, and multiple fan and radiator mounting options. It includes two 180 mm Dynamic X2 fans, capable of moving 153 CFM of air, and has a net weight of 7.7 kg with dimensions of 450 x 222 x 467 mm. The case offers three 2.5" drive bays and one 3.5" drive bay, along with front panel ports including USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C and USB 3.0. The design emphasizes unobstructed airflow and includes a removable dust filter. The case is equipped with a PWM-controlled hub for up to nine fans and features a dedicated mounting hole for custom cooling loops. The assembly process is standard, though the top-mounted power supply and limited cable management space may pose challenges. The case's performance was tested with high-end components, demonstrating effective cooling capabilities, although the fans can produce noticeable noise at maximum speeds.

Winsage

May 3, 2026

Microsoft now recommends 32GB of RAM as the future-proof ‘no worries’ config for gaming — 16GB becomes the new ‘practical starting point’ during the RAMageddon

Microsoft released a support document recommending 16GB of RAM as a "practical starting point" for Windows gaming in 2026, while advocating for 32GB to future-proof systems. The document was taken down after it indicated that 32GB is no longer considered excessive. The September 2025 Steam Survey showed a decline in the popularity of 16GB configurations, with 32GB systems gaining traction. Advanced memory technologies, like HUDIMMs, are emerging, but DDR5 memory remains expensive for many builders. The new Ryzen AI 400 series highlights the need for high-speed, high-capacity memory for optimal performance. Some games, such as Stalker 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, require 32GB and 64GB of RAM, respectively. Microsoft also emphasized the importance of solid-state drives (SSDs) for gaming and operating systems, advising against traditional hard drives for active games. The global shortage of components may affect the feasibility of these recommendations.