GPUs Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Frame-Gen to 30fps? Lego Batman’s “Bizarre” PC Specs Sheet Is a Case Study in How Not To Market a Game

The PC system requirements for the upcoming Lego Batman game indicate that the recommended settings and 4K configurations aim for a smooth 60 frames per second (fps) experience with frame generation technology enabled. The base frame rate is expected to be around 30fps, an improvement over the 15fps baseline. Major graphics card manufacturers suggest a base frame rate of 45-60fps for showcasing frame generation capabilities. Critics note that recommending older CPUs and GPUs may mislead gamers regarding compatibility. A native 30fps is considered the minimum standard, with expectations for mainstream hardware to achieve near 60fps using technologies like FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), Intel's Xe Super Sampling (XeSS), or Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). The game is set to release on May 22nd.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Review: Pragmata PC Review: Path Tracing Is A Game Changer

Path tracing scalability is maximized on the RTX 5090 with 4K DLSS quality mode, while the RTX 5070 can achieve a commendable experience using optimized settings at 1440p DLSS balanced mode. The RTX 5070 is the most prevalent Blackwell GPU according to the Steam Hardware Survey, indicating that path tracing is becoming mainstream. Optimal performance in Pragmata on an 8GB GPU requires selecting the lowest texture quality setting due to bugs and potential stuttering with medium settings. Higher mesh quality settings may reduce geometry on 8GB cards. Optimized settings for Pragmata include various configurations for ray tracing, texture quality, and shadow quality, closely mirroring developer settings for current-generation consoles. Enabling the shadow cache option significantly improves frame rates by reusing existing shadow data.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Half of all PC gamers now have GPUs with more than 8GB of VRAM

Approximately 49.95% of PC gamers are using graphics cards with more than 8GB of VRAM, with 23.51% using 16GB, 13.45% using 12GB, and 26.76% using 8GB. Additionally, 6.19% of gamers have GPUs with 24GB or more VRAM. The demand for higher VRAM is driven by the need for better image fidelity in gaming, particularly with high-quality textures and effects like ray tracing. The growth of GPUs with 16GB of VRAM is notable, led by models such as the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB. Despite this trend, the current memory crisis may keep 8GB cards relevant for another generation.

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.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Is 16GB Enough? Microsoft Says 32GB is the ‘No Worries’ Sweet Spot for Windows Gaming

The benchmark for a gaming PC is now 16 gigabytes of RAM, as suggested by Microsoft, which is classified as the minimum requirement. For future-proofing, 32GB is considered optimal, especially for users who multitask with applications alongside gaming. A recent Microsoft blog post outlines these specifications, noting that 40.97% of gamers use 16GB of RAM, while 36.62% have upgraded to 32GB, and only 8.15% are still on 8GB. Additionally, a 32GB DDR5 memory kit currently costs 0 or more. Microsoft also advises selecting multi-core processors and current-generation GPUs to match the desired frames per second and monitor specifications for an optimal gaming experience.

Winsage

April 30, 2026

Microsoft says 32GB of RAM is the “no-worries” upgrade for Windows 11 gaming

Microsoft has clarified that while 16GB of RAM is the baseline for gaming, 32GB is now promoted as the ideal upgrade, especially for users running applications like Discord, web browsers, or streaming tools alongside gaming. The company continues to recommend 8GB as the minimum for Windows, but emphasizes that 32GB is becoming a mainstream option due to the increasing demands of modern gaming setups. Microsoft previously described 32GB as "ideal for serious gamers" and highlights that it helps manage multitasking and background applications effectively. The growing memory requirements are attributed to the evolution of games, which feature larger assets and higher resolution textures, as well as the resource-intensive nature of many Windows applications. Additionally, consumers are facing higher costs for memory upgrades due to increased demands and a memory shortage exacerbated by AI companies. Microsoft is also working on developing more efficient native Windows 11 applications to address these challenges.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

NVIDIA Neural Texture Compression: AI-powered compression aims to alleviate VRAM pressure in PC games

NVIDIA's Neural Texture Compression (NTC) improves memory efficiency in PC gaming by using small neural networks to compress texture data, achieving up to eight times better memory efficiency compared to traditional methods. In a technical demo, NTC reduced a scene's VRAM requirement from 6.5 GB to approximately 970 MB, an 85 percent reduction. The RTX Neural Texture Compression SDK has seen enhancements, including a 20 to 40 percent increase in inference speed. NTC is compatible with RTX hardware and Tensor Cores, but its real-world performance impact is yet to be determined. Microsoft is developing Cooperative Vectors and DirectX methodologies to support machine learning in graphics, which may facilitate broader adoption of NTC. The successful integration of NTC will depend on its stability, documentation, and economic viability for developers.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Nvidia graphics research just made a 2-3x gain in performance, and this time it didn’t use AI

Nvidia has released a research paper that indicates potential graphics performance improvements of 2-3 times in certain scenarios, utilizing techniques like reciprocal neighbor selection and duplication maps, without heavily relying on artificial intelligence. The research focuses on path tracing, a rendering technique that is currently only feasible on advanced graphics cards. Nvidia's recent advancements include reservoir-based spatiotemporal importance resamplers (ReSTIRs), which could achieve up to a 65x performance improvement over existing methods. The new paper revisits this algorithm, offering an additional 2x-3x performance boost and enhancing image quality. The research suggests that path-traced modes in video games could experience significant performance enhancements, although it remains unclear if these improvements can be implemented via a simple driver update or if new hardware will be required.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Nvidia’s ‘new’ budget gaming GPU has 12GB VRAM, arrives in June, according to leak

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 may return to retail by June, following leaks about Nvidia's GPU production plans. Production of the GA106 GPU has resumed at Samsung, as current-generation GPUs are primarily made by TSMC, which is at full capacity. The RTX 3060 is expected to be priced between the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050, featuring 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM, more than both the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050. The anticipated launch of a new RTX 5050 with 9GB of VRAM may be delayed or canceled. The RTX 3060 will support DLSS upscaling but not frame generation.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Pragmata PC performance tested: 18 GPUs take us to the Moon

Capcom's new sci-fi shooter, Pragmata, features a narrative centered on Hugh, the last survivor of a lunar rescue mission, and Diana, an android with hacking abilities, as they navigate a 3D-printed lunar facility. The game has locked out Radeon support, which has raised concerns about business motivations over technical limitations, despite the Radeon RX 9000-series cards performing well. AMD users can access FSR 3 upscaling, with FSR 4 available for RX 9000-series cards, while older RX 7000- and RX 6000-series cards are limited to FSR 3. The game supports various rendering modes, including rasterization, ray tracing, and path tracing. At 1080p, ray tracing performs well on most hardware, but at 1440p and 4K, higher VRAM cards show better performance. Path tracing requires upscaling and frame generation for optimal playability, with DLSS Frame Generation providing significant benefits for Nvidia users. The RTX 3070 lacks DLSS frame generation support, necessitating FSR 3 for testing, which results in lower image quality compared to DLSS. Overall, Pragmata is designed to leverage advanced graphics technologies, particularly for GeForce RTX 40- and 50-series card owners, while also offering a solid experience for AMD users, albeit with some limitations.