Hogwarts Archives

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

PC Game Pass: Rethink buying games

PC Game Pass from XBOX offers access to over 500 high-quality PC games for a monthly fee of .90. It includes new releases available on launch day, classic AAA titles, and indie games, allowing players to explore various genres without the need for an XBOX console. Gamers can download and play multiple titles simultaneously, with no restrictions on installations. The library features popular games like Forza Horizon 6, EA SPORTS FC 26, Age of Empires IV, and Minecraft. PC Game Pass is part of a tiered subscription model, with trial promotions available for the first 14 days. Game Pass Ultimate offers additional benefits, including access to Ubisoft+ Classics and online multiplayer features.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Start Building With 30+ Prime Day Lego Deals on Star Wars, Minecraft and Botanical Sets

The Amazon Prime Day sale offers a variety of discounted Lego sets, catering to different interests, including the Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid, Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds, Lego Star Wars R2-D2, Lego Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fighting Ring, Lego Technic Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica, Lego Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook, Lego Fortnite Battle Bus, and Lego Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles’ Guardian Mech. Additional Lego deals include sets like Lego Botanicals Happy Plants, Lego Creator 3-in-1 Cute Animals, Lego Ninjago Cole’s Mission Mech and Dragon Zane, and many others. Amazon Prime Day 2026 is scheduled for June 23 to June 26, starting at 12:01 a.m. PT on June 23. Last year, over 100,000 deals were available, including significant discounts on various products. Early promotions are already being launched by many brands, allowing shoppers to take advantage of savings before Prime Day.

Winsage

June 5, 2026

How to Transform Your Old PC Into the Ultimate Windows Steam Console

Valve’s Steam Machine is set for release in early 2026 and will run on Valve’s Linux-based Steam OS. Gamers can build a custom Windows-based gaming PC inspired by the Steam Machine using components like an AMD Ryzen CPU, Asus RX960 XT Radeon GPU, and 16GB+ RAM. Installing Windows allows for broader game compatibility, while Steam’s Big Picture Mode offers a console-like interface. The custom build process involves selecting appropriate hardware, assembling it, and optimizing performance for modern games. Building a custom Steam Machine provides insights into hardware assembly and system optimization, resulting in a portable, high-performance gaming solution.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

We tested Advanced Shader Delivery on the RX 9070 XT in six games — up to 95% improvement in load times and 33 percent faster 1% Low FPS

Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) significantly reduces load times and improves frame rates in games. In tests across six titles, loading times improved by up to 95%, and certain games showed enhancements in 1% low FPS metrics. ASD allows precompiled shaders to be included with game downloads, preventing shader compilation stutter. Forza Horizon 6 saw load times decrease from 48 seconds to 2 seconds (96% improvement), while The Outer Worlds 2's load time dropped from nearly three minutes to 9 seconds (95% reduction). Ninja Gaiden 4 experienced smoother gameplay with ASD enabled, despite no pre-compilation step. Avowed's load time improved by 78%, reducing the wait by over two minutes. Hogwarts Legacy had a 56% reduction in load time, while Silent Hill f did not benefit from ASD in terms of load times but still faced shader compilation stutters.

Winsage

May 3, 2026

Microsoft Recommends 32 GB RAM for Gaming on Windows 11

Microsoft recommends 32 GB of RAM as the optimal choice for an enhanced gaming experience, while 16 GB remains the minimum requirement. The company highlights that 32 GB significantly improves performance, especially when multitasking with applications like web browsers and streaming software. Additionally, Microsoft advises using solid-state drives (SSDs) for operating systems and games to enhance loading times and system responsiveness. Newer games, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, may require up to 64 GB of RAM for optimal performance. Investing in 32 GB of RAM is suggested for those considering a PC upgrade by 2026 to meet future gaming demands.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Hogwarts Legacy is free on Epic Games Store again, and tinfoil Sorting Hat on, I think it’s time for a sequel reveal

Hogwarts Legacy is available for free on the Epic Games Store until May 3. This is not the first time the game has been offered for free, as a similar promotion occurred in December 2025. The timing of the giveaway coincides with Harry Potter Day on May 2, leading to speculation about the intentions of Warner Bros. Games. Avalanche Games has a new Community Manager, which may indicate positive developments for the franchise. A potential release for Hogwarts Legacy 2 could be around 2028, although it might arrive sooner due to asset reuse.