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Windows 11 will soon let you control unified memory, just in time for NVIDIA RTX Spark
Winsage
August 24, 2026

Windows 11 will soon let you control unified memory, just in time for NVIDIA RTX Spark

A new feature in the Windows Insider program for Windows 11 allows users to designate specific amounts of unified memory for graphics and AI applications, discovered in build 29648 by user @XenoPanther. Unified memory enables sharing between the CPU, GPU, and other processors, with support for up to 128GB of unified RAM from NVIDIA and integrated features from AMD. This feature aims to reserve additional unified memory for demanding applications, enhancing performance by ensuring consistent access to high-speed memory and reducing latency issues. It is still in development and not officially announced by Microsoft, but users can enable it using ViveTool, with a recommendation to wait for further testing before widespread use.
PPSSPP vs Dolphin vs RetroArch Android: 127 Cores
BetaBeacon
August 24, 2026

PPSSPP vs Dolphin vs RetroArch Android: 127 Cores

PPSSPP is a dedicated PSP emulator that does not require a BIOS file to boot a game. Dolphin emulates GameCube and Wii consoles and requires newer Android versions for better performance. RetroArch is a frontend that loads separate cores for different systems, offering a wide range of emulation options.
AI vendors are turning to custom hardware as Microsoft winds back the clock on Windows
Winsage
August 24, 2026

AI vendors are turning to custom hardware as Microsoft winds back the clock on Windows

This week, insights into datacenter technology reveal a shift in GPU dominance, with companies exploring alternatives. Cerebras, founded by Andrew Feldman, has developed chips the size of dinner plates that contain 44 gigabytes of ultra-fast SRAM, circumventing high-bandwidth memory supply constraints. In 2024, Cerebras launched an inference server that processes tokens faster than any GPU configuration, utilizing structured sparsity and partnering with AWS and AMD. The latest Cerebras chips, CS-4 systems, feature a modular architecture that doubles performance and bandwidth. Google is also moving towards custom silicon with its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), while Marvell competes with Broadcom in providing IP for custom chips. Waymo announced a custom machine learning accelerator for its autonomous vehicles to enhance compute density and address limitations of previous FPGA use. On the software side, Microsoft is reintroducing the ability to move the taskbar in Windows 11, responding to user feedback after nearly five years. This change reflects Microsoft's focus on user experience amid competition from alternatives like macOS and Linux.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
August 22, 2026

Someone discovered that Windows 11 nukes your GPU drivers if you leave your laptop in eco mode

A user on the Zephyrus G14 subreddit discovered that using the eco power mode on Windows 11 for 15 consecutive days leads to the automatic deletion of GPU drivers. The eco mode power-gates the discrete GPU off the PCIe bus, causing Windows to treat it as disconnected. After 15 days of inactivity, Windows performs a cleanup and removes the GPU driver package. When switching back to standard power mode, the GPU is identified as a "Basic Display Adapter." Users can check if their GPU drivers have been removed using specific command prompt commands. To prevent driver cleanup, users can either switch to a non-eco power plan occasionally or modify the registry to set Autorun (DWORD) = 0.
Cursed Doll Horror Game Baptiste Hits Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, and PC This Fall
AppWizard
August 20, 2026

Cursed Doll Horror Game Baptiste Hits Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, and PC This Fall

Spanish publisher Firenut Games and co-developer Digital Dreams™ announced the psychological horror game Baptiste, set to launch in fall 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. The announcement was made on August 19, 2026, alongside a gameplay trailer and a free demo available on Steam. The game follows Tom, a teenager dealing with his father's death, who discovers a cursed doll in a mansion that leads to supernatural events. Baptiste features a darkness mechanic that intensifies horror elements based on the protagonist's exposure to darkness. The game requires high-performance hardware, with recommended specs including an Intel i9 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU. Baptiste successfully raised €6,118 through a Kickstarter campaign in October 2025. It will support audio in English and Spanish, with interface and subtitle options in 11 languages. A free demo is currently available on Steam, covering the first 30 minutes of gameplay.
Microsoft brings improved Windows 11 hardware monitoring with upgraded Task Manager
Winsage
August 20, 2026

Microsoft brings improved Windows 11 hardware monitoring with upgraded Task Manager

Microsoft released a guide to optimize internet bandwidth usage for Windows 11 update downloads, focusing on policy settings for network efficiency. Enhancements to Task Manager include new columns for monitoring NPU (Neural Processing Unit) and NPU Engine usage, allowing users to see which applications leverage the neural processor. Additional columns for NPU Dedicated Memory and NPU Shared Memory provide insights into memory consumption for AI workloads. Neural engines in GPUs will also be visible on the Performance page. An optional Isolation column has been added to help users evaluate AI workload management. Applications optimized for NPUs will show specific designations in Task Manager, while high CPU usage with idle NPU indicates underutilization of dedicated AI hardware. Users can activate new metrics by right-clicking on column headers in Task Manager.
Everything You Need to Know About Minecraft Dungeons 2
AppWizard
August 20, 2026

Everything You Need to Know About Minecraft Dungeons 2

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is scheduled for release on September 29, 2026. It will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The base version will cost .99, while the Deluxe Edition will retail at .99. The game will be included in Xbox Game Pass from day one. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, two DLCs, a Soul Cape, four Hero Skins, a Blub Pet, two additional Hero Skins, a Twisted Cape, and a Twisted Chicken Pet. No prior experience with the first game is necessary, as Minecraft Dungeons 2 is a standalone adventure. Players can engage in solo play or team up with up to three friends in both online and local co-op modes, and the game supports crossplay. The minimum system requirements include Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i3‑8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560, and 8 GB RAM. Recommended requirements include Intel Core i5‑8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580, and 16 GB RAM. New features include two interconnected worlds, categorized armor slots, streamlined inventory management, a new jumping mechanic, and the introduction of Talismans for unique passive abilities.
Is a $1,200 gaming PC build in 2026 still possible?
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.
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