gaming sessions Archives

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Install Windows 11 on Steam Deck OLED: 12 Steps [2026]

The Steam Deck OLED has limitations in running certain Windows applications and games, particularly those with kernel-level anti-cheat systems. Valve has provided an official Windows driver bundle for the OLED model since 2024, and by 2026, a community-developed process for dual-booting Windows 11 alongside SteamOS has emerged. Running Windows 11 may be necessary for games that do not perform well on SteamOS, especially competitive titles. The Steam Deck OLED requires specific prerequisites for dual-booting, including a fully charged device, updated SteamOS, sufficient free storage, a Windows 11 license, and a USB flash drive for installation. Users must follow a detailed installation process that includes updating SteamOS, creating a recovery drive, downloading Windows 11, and configuring the system for dual-booting. Common pitfalls include skipping the recovery drive and under-allocating storage for Windows. Battery life on Windows is shorter than on SteamOS, and users should be aware of this when deciding to dual-boot. The dual-boot setup does not void the warranty, and it is possible to revert to a SteamOS-only setup later.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Windows XP hit its “RTM” milestone 25 years ago, preparing for the launch of arguably the most iconic OS ever made

On August 24, 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP to manufacturing, with public availability starting in October 2001. Windows XP is the best-selling version of Microsoft's operating systems and has had a lasting cultural impact. The operating system introduced features like MSN Messenger, which became central to users' digital lives. Windows XP is remembered fondly by many for its role in transforming personal computing experiences.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Microsoft says RGB is responsible for recent Windows 11 and game crashes

RGB lighting setups may be causing system instabilities on Windows 11, particularly during gaming sessions, as reported by Microsoft. The issue affects PCs running Windows 11 version 25H2 or newer, especially after the August 11 KB5121003 update, and is linked to driver or code components associated with 'inpoutx64'. Users have experienced 'ExceptionAccessViolation' blue screens, which occur when software accesses memory outside its designated boundaries. The problem may be related to anti-cheat technology in various games conflicting with RGB software. Affected titles include Arc Raiders, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Microsoft and game developers are working on solutions and recommend temporarily disabling inpoutx64, which may result in loss of RGB functionality. The issue also affects internal RGB components.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

Ultimate Modpack Tier List: Best Minecraft Modpacks Ranked By Difficulty And Server Requirements

Minecraft modding has developed into a diverse genre with various experiences for players. Modpacks can significantly differ in focus, such as magic and exploration versus factory automation. There are four primary categories of modpacks: 1. Casual exploration packs: Typically contain 80-120 mods and require 4-6GB of RAM, suitable for 2-3 players. 2. Tech and automation packs: Include 150-250 mods and need 8-10GB of RAM due to background chunk-loading. 3. Quest-driven expert packs: Require a minimum of 8GB of RAM, ideally 10-16GB, along with a robust multi-core CPU. 4. Kitchen-sink packs: Combine hundreds of mods for a varied experience. Server requirements vary; casual exploration packs may run on 4GB of RAM, while kitchen-sink packs can consume 12GB or more. Choosing a hosting provider is crucial, especially for tech-heavy packs, as free options often have RAM limitations. Players should ensure the server has adequate RAM based on the modpack, as even lightweight packs can use up to 6GB with multiple players. Each modpack has a unique flavor and difficulty level, making it important for players to align their choice with their preferred playstyle and server capabilities.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Windows 11’s latest Patch Tuesday update is breaking games and turning off PCs — This temporary fix might get ARC Raiders and The Finals running again

A bug introduced in the Windows 11 update (KB5121003) has caused crashes for some users, specifically affecting installations of Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 with OS builds 26200.9168 and 26100.9168. Embark Studios has acknowledged the issue, linking it to a change in the inpoutx64.sys file, and is working on a fix while providing a temporary workaround. The workaround involves stopping and deleting the inpoutx64 driver and removing the corresponding file from the system. Users can also choose to roll back to a previous version of Windows 11 until an official fix is released.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Is a $1,200 gaming PC build in 2026 still possible?

The prices for essential PC gaming components have increased significantly, making it difficult to assemble a gaming rig within the ,000 to ,500 range. It is still possible to build a system capable of running popular games like Counter Strike 2 and Valorant, as well as more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Requiem, while also preparing for future releases such as GTA 6. A curated selection of components for a gaming PC totals approximately ,294, which includes: - Case: Gamemax M60 Micro ATX - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (9) - CPU cooler: MSI MAG COREFROZR AA13 - Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi (9) - RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x8GB DDR5 6000 () - GPU: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Gaming OC V2 8GB (9) - SSD: Kingston NV3 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, 1TB () - PSU: ASRock PRO-650G 650W The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a six-core processor operating at 3.9 GHz, priced at 9. The MSI MAG COREFROZR AA13 CPU cooler has a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of 240W. The ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi motherboard includes integrated WiFi. The RAM configuration consists of two 8GB sticks of Corsair's DDR5 6000 RAM, priced at . The RTX 5060 8GB graphics card is noted as a solid entry-level gaming GPU. The selected 1TB M.2 SSD costs , and the ASRock PRO-650G 650W power supply unit ensures stability for the system.

BetaBeacon

August 16, 2026

Top 5 Best Android Phones for Gaming

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro is a purpose-built gaming phone with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, up to 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. It features liquid cooling, a vapor chamber, and a turbo fan for cooling during gaming sessions.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

Windows 11 KB5121003 is triggering game crashes and other issues on some PCs

Windows 11 update KB5121003, released in August 2026, addresses over 400 vulnerabilities but has caused crashes in games like ARC Raiders and The Finals. The game studio Embark has confirmed that the crashes are linked to the inpoutx64.sys driver, which has compatibility issues due to the update. Users have reported errors such as “Hang detected on GameThread” and “EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION” after installing the update. Embark has provided a workaround to stop and delete the inpoutx64.sys service to resolve the crashes. Uninstalling the update also appears to fix the issue. Additional reports indicate crashes in other games and graphics-related problems following the update.

BetaBeacon

August 15, 2026

Competitive Shooters Like Counter-Strike 2 Can Reach New Popularity Heights On Android Smartphones, As Sustained Performance Mod Allows Game To Stay Above 100FPS

A dual-CPU cooling mod by Redditor "ntsow" allows the Nubia Z70 Ultra to run Counter-Strike 2 at over 100FPS, showcasing significant performance improvements.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Amazon Is Offering a Great Deal on a RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC, and It Includes Two Upcoming AAA Games

Amazon is offering the Acer Predator Orion 6000 gaming desktop for ,099, which includes free shipping. This gaming PC features an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF CPU, a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The purchase is part of the Intel Gamer Days Sale, which runs until September 13, and includes two free upcoming PC games: Star Wars: Galactic Racer, releasing on October 6, and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, set for February 12 next year. The RTX 5070 Ti GPU provides excellent 4K gaming performance and is capable of running games at 60fps.