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I'm fed up with gaming on Windows 11 — here's how Valve's Steam Machine can fix PC gaming
AppWizard
December 3, 2025

I’m fed up with gaming on Windows 11 — here’s how Valve’s Steam Machine can fix PC gaming

Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was rolled out to all Windows-based handhelds on November 21, followed by a broader release for gaming rigs and laptops for Windows Insider members. The update process on Windows 11 was slow, causing frustration for users. Accessing the Xbox FSE through various shortcuts was unsuccessful, and the experience was marred by instability and frequent updates. A recent system update (KB5066835) resulted in a significant drop in gaming performance. The author expressed a preference for Linux and SteamOS due to their stability and user-friendly interface compared to Windows. The upcoming Steam Machine is anticipated for its compact design and potential for a hassle-free gaming experience.
Gamers confirm frame drops after Windows 11 update that Microsoft won’t acknowledge, but Nvidia has fixed it
Winsage
December 2, 2025

Gamers confirm frame drops after Windows 11 update that Microsoft won’t acknowledge, but Nvidia has fixed it

Windows 11's October update (KB5066835) has caused significant performance issues for gamers, particularly those using Nvidia GPUs, leading to a drop in frame rates from 120–140 FPS to 40–70 FPS. The update has primarily affected systems running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, while users on Windows 10 and those using Linux or Steam Deck reported no issues. Affected Nvidia models include the RTX 5000 series and RTX 4080 and 4090. In contrast, AMD graphics card users maintained normal performance levels. The cause of the frame rate drops is unclear, but it may involve conflicts between Windows updates, Nvidia drivers, and game engine interactions. Nvidia released a hotfix driver on November 19, which reportedly restored and even improved performance for some users.
AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D is probably about to lose its crown as the fastest gaming CPU in the world
AppWizard
December 1, 2025

AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D is probably about to lose its crown as the fastest gaming CPU in the world

AMD has unofficially introduced the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, which is expected to surpass the Ryzen 7 9800X3D as the fastest gaming CPU. A placeholder page on AMD's website suggests an impending launch. The rumored specifications for the 9850X3D include: - Cores: 8 - Threads: 16 - Base clock: 4.7GHz - Boost clock: 5.6GHz - L3 cache: 96MB (64MB 3D V-cache + 32MB on-die cache) - TDP: 120W - Core architecture: AMD Zen 5 - Package: AMD Socket AM5 The 9850X3D is expected to maintain the same architecture as the 9800X3D but with an increased peak clock speed from 5.2GHz to 5.6GHz, potentially resulting in up to an 8% increase in frame rates in certain scenarios.
Grab a HyperX Cloud III for just $39, if you're quick - that's a saving of over $60 on our favorite wired gaming headset
AppWizard
November 29, 2025

Grab a HyperX Cloud III for just $39, if you’re quick – that’s a saving of over $60 on our favorite wired gaming headset

The HyperX Cloud III is a gaming headset known for its comfort, audio quality, and microphone performance, currently available at a 61% discount. It is ranked as the top wired headset and offers both analog and USB inputs, with the USB connection enabling DTS Spatial Audio virtual surround sound. The headset features cushioned earcups, a customizable headband, and 53mm drivers for balanced audio. It includes a removable boom mic with sound clarity and an LED indicator for mute status. The main cable has a 3.5mm analog jack and comes with adapters for USB-C and USB-A connections. The headset is priced at .99, frequently discounted to .99, making it an affordable option for gamers. The current deal is available only in light gray and red.
Why people keep flocking to Linux in 2025 (and it's not just to escape Windows)
Winsage
November 28, 2025

Why people keep flocking to Linux in 2025 (and it’s not just to escape Windows)

The Linux desktop has seen a rise in popularity, attributed to user distrust in Microsoft Windows, particularly as Windows 10 nears the end of its support life. Zorin OS 18 achieved 1 million downloads in its first month, with 78% from Windows users. Linux desktop market share increased from 1.5% in 2020 to over 4% in 2024, with a peak of over 5% in the US by 2025. The current US figure shows Linux at 3.49%, while the "unknown" category accounts for 4.21%, suggesting many could be running Linux. ChromeOS, a Linux variant, has a market share of 3.67%, bringing the total Linux desktop market share to approximately 11.37%. When including Android, Linux's presence rises to 41.71% in the US and 72.55% globally. The Digital Analytics Program reports a 5.8% market share for Linux desktops, up from 0.67% a decade ago, with a total of 23.3% when including Chrome OS and Android for government site access. Windows 10 holds a 16.9% market share, while Windows 11 is at 13.5%. Factors driving Linux adoption include Microsoft's shift to cloud services, improved gaming capabilities, better usability, hardware compatibility, and concerns about privacy. Approximately 25% of Windows 10 PCs cannot upgrade to Windows 11, with 26% of users planning to continue using Windows 10 post-support. Digital sovereignty is becoming important for users outside the US, with European governments seeking alternatives to Microsoft, leading to increased exploration of Linux solutions.
New Steam Deck rivals are getting ridiculous, with 9-inch screens and 5x the performance, and I need one right now
AppWizard
November 28, 2025

New Steam Deck rivals are getting ridiculous, with 9-inch screens and 5x the performance, and I need one right now

The Ayaneo Next 2 is a handheld gaming device featuring AMD's Strix Halo processor, which has a GPU over five times more powerful than the Steam Deck. It includes a 9-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,504 pixels and a 165Hz refresh rate. The device has an ergonomic design, larger than many current handhelds, with features like touchpads, ABXY buttons, a d-pad, analog sticks, dual-mode triggers, and an extra-large battery. The Strix Halo chip has shown impressive 1080p gaming performance in previous reviews, while concerns exist regarding battery life, heat management, and noise levels. The Ayaneo Next 2 is expected to be priced similarly to other handhelds with the Strix Halo chip, which may exceed ,000. An upcoming video stream will showcase its features in more detail.
This recent Windows 11 update could ruin your gaming frame rates, tanking Assassin's Creed Shadows by up to 50%
AppWizard
November 25, 2025

This recent Windows 11 update could ruin your gaming frame rates, tanking Assassin’s Creed Shadows by up to 50%

Recent updates to Windows 11, specifically the October security and feature patch (KB5066835), have caused frame rate drops in games, with Digital Foundry reporting significant performance issues in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Testing with an AMD Ryzen 9800X3D and Nvidia RTX 5090 showed low frame rates until a hotfix from Nvidia was applied, which improved performance from 34fps to 72fps. Without the hotfix, gamers could see a performance decline of 33% to 50%. Anecdotal evidence suggests the hotfix may also improve performance in Counter-Strike 2, with an 11% increase in 1% lows reported. Nvidia's documentation indicates the hotfix addresses issues in "some games," but further testing is needed to determine if the performance issues affect only Nvidia GPUs or also AMD graphics cards. Gamers with recent Nvidia graphics cards experiencing performance dips are advised to download the hotfix.
Valve’s Steam Machine could cost you PC money, not console money
AppWizard
November 23, 2025

Valve’s Steam Machine could cost you PC money, not console money

Valve's Steam Machine will not follow the traditional console strategy of selling hardware at a loss. It will be priced similarly to a PC with equivalent performance, focusing on power and build quality. Specific pricing figures are not disclosed, but analysts predict a range from mid-0 to 0, depending on specifications. Valve acknowledges that fluctuating component costs complicate final pricing decisions. The absence of hardware subsidies suggests limited budget-friendly options, and the base variant will feature a 512GB SSD. An early 2026 release window has been suggested, but the exact timing is uncertain.
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