gaming setup Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Valve’s Steam Machine will have “fewer constraints” for games to be Verified than Steam Deck — plus, an explanation for that weird Steam Controller puck

Valve announced the Steam Machine, set to release in early 2026, which will be powered by SteamOS and designed for living room integration. It aims to bridge the gap between PC gaming and consoles, boasting hardware specifications that rival current-generation consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The Steam Machine will have a streamlined process for games to achieve the "Verified" badge, making it easier for developers to secure this status compared to the Steam Deck. The Steam Machine is expected to have a larger library of Verified games due to its enhanced capabilities. Additionally, the new Steam Controller will feature a puck accessory that serves as a wireless receiver and charger, designed to reduce Bluetooth interference.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Hardcore PC Gaming Is About to Die

The landscape of PC gaming is becoming increasingly challenging due to rising costs and accessibility concerns. Major gaming companies, including Xbox and Nintendo, are considering price increases for games, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's monthly fee rising significantly. Hardware prices have surged, exemplified by the Xbox Series X retailing at 9 and the NVIDIA GTX 4070 RTX GPU increasing from 9.99 to 9.99. The demand for GPUs is driven by cryptocurrency mining and the AI sector, leading to component shortages. NVIDIA may reduce GPU production by 40%, further constraining supply. The outlook for RAM prices remains uncertain, and the Steam Machine may offer an alternative but likely at a higher price. The combination of soaring costs and dwindling component availability threatens the accessibility of PC gaming, potentially leading to a decline in new PC gamers and a slowdown in the industry's growth rate, which has been 3-4% annually.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

These are the best tech gift ideas for PC gamers that you can still get in time for the holidays

As the festive season approaches, a Christmas gift guide for PC gaming offers options tailored to various interests and budgets. The recommendations are categorized into three price ranges: 1. Gifts under : - Gaming Mouse Pads featuring game artwork. - In-Game Currency gift cards for popular games. - Fun Merchandise like T-shirts and collectible figures. 2. Gifts around 0: - Quality Gaming Headsets for enhanced immersion. - Versatile Game Controllers compatible with PCs. - Subscription Services for access to new titles. 3. Gifts of 0 or more: - High-Performance Gaming Mice for precision and comfort. - Mechanical Keyboards for improved gameplay and style. - VR Headsets for an immersive gaming experience.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Crazed gamer plays Minecraft using a receipt printer as a display — crippling 0.5 fps frame rate not even the biggest drawback

A YouTuber named Smilly is playing Minecraft using a printer as their display, resulting in a high-contrast, chaotic representation of the game. The printer's refresh rate is approximately 0.5 frames per second, making it difficult for Smilly to see the gameplay, leading to frustration. Despite the challenges, Smilly adapts to the black-and-white visuals, although navigating the game remains difficult. This unconventional use of technology reflects a trend in the gaming community where players experiment with unusual devices, showcasing creativity and humor.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

25 gifts around $25 for the PC gamers in your life

The text provides a curated list of gift ideas for PC gamers, focusing on practical yet delightful options that are budget-friendly. The suggested gifts include: - Stardew Valley Mug - Doom Shotgun Shell Shot-Glasses - Elden Ring Living Pot Lamp - House Gem Mugwarmer - OXO Electronics Cleaning Brush - LED Light Bars - LEGO Botanicals Lucky Bamboo - Dungeon Crawler Carl Books - Monitor-top Shelves - RGB Headset & Controller Stand - Magnetic-closure Cord Organizers - Odistar Desktop Vacuum - GameSir Nova Lite Controller - Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers - Miniature Retro PC - Recycled Circuit Board Keycaps - Gamertag LED Light - FF14 Neon Job Sign - Memory Gel Wrist Rests - Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1 - Ecarke Macro Keypad - Powered USB Hub - Stream Deck Under-Desk Mount

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Nvidia is giving away a free, Battlefield 6-themed RTX 5090 worth $2,000, and all you need to do is grovel

Nvidia is hosting a giveaway for a Battlefield 6-themed GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, valued at approximately ,000. To enter, participants must comment on Nvidia's post on their X page, including the phrase "GeForce Season" and explaining why they deserve the upgrade. The entry process is simple compared to previous giveaways that required video submissions. The RTX 5090 is designed for high 4K performance and is functionally similar to other models in its class, despite its unique design. No timeline for winner selection has been provided.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Grab one of our favorite PC controllers while it’s at its lowest price ever on Amazon this Black Friday

Amazon is offering significant discounts on a top-rated PC controller this Black Friday. The Xbox wireless controller, which has over 17,000 five-star reviews, is currently priced at .99, down from its original price of .99. It features a comfortable grip, rumble motors, and a hybrid D-pad, but relies on AA batteries for power. The Heart Breaker and Ice Breaker variants are also on sale for .00, reduced from .99.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Valve confirms Steam Machine will be priced ‘like a PC with the same level of performance’

Valve has unveiled the Steam Machine, a compact console-style PC that is six inches in size and has over six times the processing power of the Steam Deck. The pricing strategy for the Steam Machine will align with similarly spec'd PCs rather than undercutting competitors like PlayStation and Xbox. The exact price is still under consideration, but Valve aims to offer a competitive deal reflecting the current PC market. Current-generation console prices include the PS5 ranging from 9 to 9, the PS5 Pro at around 9, and the Xbox Series X starting at 9. Analysts suggest the success of the Steam Machine will depend on its pricing, as its specifications may not match high-end gaming PCs. Further details on the final price and availability are anticipated for next year.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

The PC Gamer 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

- Gaming Keyboard: Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 - Price: (originally ) - Music: The Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 - Price: Not specified - Gaming Headset: Razer BlackShark V2 X - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Gaming Mouse: Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless - Price: Not specified (originally 0) - Gaming Router: TP-Link Archer GE400 - Price: 0 - Board Game: Various Options - Price: Not specified - Art Book: The Art of Assassin's Creed Shadows - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Pins: Mini Stardew Valley Pins - Price: + - USB Hub: Acer USB Hub - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Cookbook: The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Mug: The Sims Custom Personality Traits Mug - Price: .49+ - Toy: Fidget Cube - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - RGB Lighting: LED Strip Lights - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Manga: Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Lamp: Assassin's Creed Infinity Light - Price: Not specified - Art: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Print - Price: + - Accessory: The Sims Plumbob Headphone Attachment - Price: .38 - Stickers: Elden Ring Stickers - Price: + - Speakers: Logitech Z313 - Price: Not specified - Mouse Pad: Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Gengar Edition - Price: Not specified - Controller: GameSir G7 Pro - Price: Not specified - Books: Assassin's Creed Book Collection - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Toy/Decor: Hollow Knight Building Set - Price: Not specified - Desk Accessory: Cloud Foot Rest - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - SSD: SSK Portable 1TB SSD - Price: Not specified - Wall Art: Displate: Lunar Princess Ranni - Price: + - Plush: Hollow Knight: Silksong Hornet Plush - Price: + - Lamp: Frostmourne Resin Lamp - Price: Not specified - Microphone: HyperX SoloCast - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Gaming Headset: Logitech G733 Lightspeed - Price: 5 (originally 0) - Gaming Monitor: LG UltraGear 27GS50F-B - Price: 7 - Gaming Chair: Secretlab Titan Evo - Price: 9 - PC Case: Pyramid Mini-ITX PC Case - Price: (originally ) - Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 - Price: 0 (originally 0) - Soundtrack: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Soundtrack - Price: Not specified - Music: Hero of Time: The Music of Ocarina of Time - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Music: Hollow Knight Original Soundtrack - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Munchkin Deluxe - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - Card Game: Magic: The Gathering Fallout Commander Deck - Price: Not specified (originally not specified) - D&D: Hollow Metal D&D Dice Set - Price: Not specified - Board Game: Marvel X-Men Dice Throne - Price: Not specified

BetaBeacon

November 21, 2025

Which games can be played on Android and which ones can’t?

- Native Android games are specifically designed and optimized for Android devices, offering a smooth gaming experience. - Cross-platform games like Fortnite and Minecraft have mobile equivalents for Android users. - Cloud gaming and emulation methods can be used on Android devices to access a wider variety of gaming options. - Exclusive console games, complex PC titles, and games with hardware limitations cannot be played on Android devices. - Android users have a wide range of gaming options available, with the mobile gaming industry continuously growing and evolving.