graphics cards Archives

Winsage

March 26, 2026

This is probably the first mainstream mini PC that can dual-boot Ubuntu and Windows out of the box — and it even comes with the hottest AI application of 2026

GMKtec has launched the NucBox K13 mini PC, which supports dual-booting of Windows 11 Pro and Ubuntu. It features an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor with eight cores up to 4.8GHz and an Intel Arc 140V GPU. The device offers 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, dual M.2 SSD slots for up to 16TB of storage, Wi-Fi 6E, and five-gigabit LAN. It supports triple 4K display outputs and includes various ports such as USB 3.2 Gen2, USB4, HDMI 2.1, and a 5Gbps RJ45 LAN port. Concerns have been raised about the AI tool OpenClaw, which has known vulnerabilities and has been linked to malware, leading Microsoft to advise against its use on personal or enterprise systems.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Experience Japan with Ray Tracing in Forza Horizon 6 on PC

Forza Horizon 6 offers stunning 4K HDR visuals and enhanced ray tracing capabilities, with high uncapped framerates and support for ultrawide monitor resolutions. It maintains robust controller support compatible with steering wheels from Forza Horizon 5. The game introduces advanced video technologies including NVIDIA DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation for RTX 50 Series, DLSS Frame Generation for RTX 40 Series, DLSS Super Resolution for all GeForce RTX cards, DLAA, NVIDIA Reflex, AMD FSR 4 or 3, and Intel XeSS 2.1. It supports Ray-Traced Reflections and Ray-Traced Global Illumination (RTGI) for enhanced realism in the environment.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Pearl Abyss addresses Crimson Desert’s Intel issues, but is it enough to save it?

Crimson Desert has launched and received mixed reviews, facing criticism for its use of AI art and control issues. A significant problem is the lack of support for Intel Arc GPUs at launch, which may deter potential players. Despite these challenges, it is currently the top-selling game on Steam, with 192,351 active players and a peak of 248,530 concurrent users. Pearl Abyss is working on compatibility and optimization for Intel Arc systems and has acknowledged the issue without a direct apology. The absence of Intel Arc support prevents the game from running on these systems, which affects budget-conscious gamers and those using laptops with integrated Arc GPUs. The company is also addressing boss balance and plans to remove the unintended AI usage in the game.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

I Tested Crimson Desert on Every Recommended Graphics Card

Developers have increasingly used upscaling technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR in PC gaming, but Crimson Desert has reasonable system requirements and does not always rely on upscaling. Testing showed that while lower-end graphics cards struggle, enabling FSR can improve frame rates significantly. The minimum specification for Crimson Desert includes an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, and the game requires 16GB of memory across all configurations. The game performs well on various hardware, with the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT averaging 65 fps at Medium settings and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reaching 62 fps at Ultra in native 4K. The RTX 5090 achieved 95 fps at 4K without DLSS, and 338 fps with DLSS and Frame Generation. Crimson Desert is compatible with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, which has similar requirements to the GTX 1060, and it performs well on this handheld device. The game is noted for its optimization, allowing most modern graphics cards to run it effectively without upscaling, although it does have some bugs.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Crimson Desert is “too much in the best and worst ways,” and that’s exactly why it’s unforgettable

Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, is set to release on March 19, 2026, priced at .99, and will be available on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The game offers nearly 100 hours of gameplay and features a vast world with diverse activities, including competitive archery, outlaw tracking, investment banking, and brawling. Players can encounter nearly 100 different creatures, 34 crafting manuals, and 28 factions. Traveling the map can take about four hours on foot, but there are 28 different mounts to enhance exploration. The combat system includes around 30 attack combinations across melee, ranged, and magical options. Performance on Windows PCs is commendable, running smoothly on mid-range and high-end graphics cards, though some features may challenge lower-end systems. The character-swapping mechanic allows players to switch between characters for different missions, but it may feel underdeveloped. The narrative evolves from a tale of vengeance into a more intricate story with engaging set pieces and well-crafted dialogue.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

My favorite Warhammer 40k game just got a Helldivers 2-style game mode, and to celebrate, it’s at its lowest price

Warhammer 40k: Darktide was released in late 2022 and initially faced performance issues, particularly on mid-range graphics cards like the 3060Ti. The developers, Fatshark, have since improved the game's performance and introduced a new mode called 'Expeditions,' which is free for all players. This mode allows players to explore larger landscapes, complete objectives within a 15-minute timer, and gather Tech-Remnants while facing randomly generated challenges. The game is currently priced at .24, reflecting a 75% discount from its usual price.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Another Nvidia GPU driver has issues, causing up to 16% drops in performance

Nvidia's driver version 595.71 has introduced performance issues, limiting core clock speeds, voltage levels, and power outputs, resulting in performance drops of up to 16%. The update, released on March 2, aimed to fix problems from the previous version 595.59 but has negatively impacted overclocked graphics cards. For example, an RTX 5090 that previously achieved clock speeds over 3,100MHz now struggles to maintain speeds above 3,000MHz. Benchmark tests showed the older driver (591.74) achieving 171fps compared to 144fps with the new driver. Users are advised to revert to an earlier driver version from the 591 series to restore performance.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Best Marathon settings for peak gaming PC performance

Bungie's multiplayer FPS, Marathon, is currently in an early Server Slam until March 2, with a full release on March 6. The game is designed to be accessible on mid-range PCs and does not require high-end GPU power. Initial settings for optimal performance include Vsync on, frame rate cap off, field of view at 90°, and high graphics quality. Players can expect an average frame rate of 84fps with 60fps for 1% lows. The game is not compatible with the Steam Deck due to BattleEye anti-cheat technology but runs smoothly on other Windows-based handheld devices. While an SSD is not required, it is recommended for better load times. Performance monitoring can be done via a built-in FPS counter or overlays from Nvidia and AMD.

Winsage

February 27, 2026

Windows 11’s new Start menu is here, and the community reaction is basically “why is this worse?”

Microsoft's redesign of the Start menu in Windows 11 has received mixed reactions, with many users criticizing its excessive size, automation, and lack of customization options. Users on larger monitors find the menu to be a "colossal waste of space," while those on laptops have a more favorable view. The automatic categorization of apps has been deemed ineffective, with users frustrated by the inability to rename or adjust categories. Some users appreciate the "List" view option, but overall, the menu's size overshadows its positive aspects. Functional issues such as icons failing to render and laggy animations have also been reported, contributing to dissatisfaction. Users express a desire for more control over their interface, suggesting that options for category editing and resizing could improve the experience.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Issues Nvidia GPU Bugs Task Manager Errors and ViVeTool Guide

Windows Update KB5077241, released in February 2026, is a 4.5GB feature update for the 24H2 and 25H2 versions. It poses significant performance risks for older hardware, particularly laptops and desktops without a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Users with outdated Nvidia graphics cards, specifically the 900 Series (Maxwell) and 1000 Series (Pascal), report issues such as game stuttering, screen flickering, and system boot failures. The update also contains a flaw that inaccurately displays CPU usage in Task Manager, showing 0% utilization even under load. Many users face installation issues, encountering Error 0x800F0983, requiring them to delete update cache files and run repair tools. The update introduces features like a Taskbar Speed Test, Sysmon Security, improved Sleep/Wake functionality, and WebP wallpaper support, but many remain locked. Users can enable these features using ViVeTool with specific commands. Overall, the update is advised against for those with older Nvidia GPUs due to potential conflicts and performance issues.