motherboards Archives

Winsage

April 16, 2026

FAT32 breaks free from its outdated limitation in latest Windows update

The FAT32 file system, historically limited to a 32GB partition size due to a design choice by Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer, can inherently support volumes up to 2TB with a 512-byte sector size and theoretically up to 16TB with 4KB sectors. While Windows maintained this 32GB limit, motherboard manufacturers had already developed firmware to utilize larger FAT32 drives. Tools like Rufus and GUIFormat were used to format high-capacity media, as Windows did not allow direct FAT32 formatting for drives larger than 32GB. However, with the introduction of Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 26220.8165 and 26300.8170, users can now format large flash drives and external volumes as FAT32 directly from the Command Prompt without third-party software.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Meet the new fastest gaming CPU in the world, so far

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has been officially launched as a new gaming CPU, featuring an eight-core, 16-thread configuration and a peak clock speed of 5.6GHz, up from 5.2GHz of its predecessor, the 9800X3D. It utilizes the AMD Zen 5 architecture and 3D V-Cache technology, with a TDP of 120W. The CPU is compatible with existing AMD AM5 motherboards, requiring a BIOS update for recognition. Internal testing indicates a 27% average frame rate improvement over the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, while performance compared to the 9800X3D shows an estimated increase of around 8%. The launch is scheduled for Q1 2026, with expected pricing above the 9 MSRP of the 9800X3D.

AppWizard

December 19, 2025

Riot Games found a motherboard security flaw that helps PC cheaters

Riot Games has identified a significant security vulnerability in recent motherboards that could be exploited by cheaters, allowing cheats to operate undetected and undermining competitive gaming integrity. Major motherboard manufacturers, including Asrock, Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI, have released BIOS updates to mitigate this issue. If unaddressed, the vulnerability would have rendered existing direct memory access (DMA) detection and prevention technologies ineffective. The vulnerability involves DMA hardware devices connecting via PCIe slots, which could bypass input-output memory management unit (IOMMU) protections. Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat software may soon require players to update their BIOS to continue playing Valorant, and other anti-cheat systems are likely to implement similar checks.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

This Trick WIll Let ‘Incompatible’ Windows 10 PCs Upgrade to Windows 11

Microsoft officially ceased support for Windows 10 as of October, although users can still receive security updates for an additional year. Many computers do not meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, but some may still be compatible with adjustments to settings. Users can check compatibility using Microsoft's PC Health Check app and may need to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in the BIOS. UEFI should be enabled instead of legacy BIOS mode for compatibility. If compatibility issues persist, adding a TPM module may enhance compatibility for certain motherboards. Upgrading to Windows 11 is advisable for computers six years old or newer due to security vulnerabilities in unsupported systems.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Gaming PC power supply cables could be a thing of the past, thanks to this brilliant new idea

The back-connect motherboard design allows users to connect cables from the back, reducing clutter. The proposed BTF 3.0 standard, supported by Asus, aims to eliminate power supply cables by introducing a PCIe slot-like edge connector for power connections. This connector can handle over 2000W, accommodating a 200W CPU and a 600W GPU. BTF graphics cards will include an additional edge connector for power, and a riser card will ensure compatibility with existing graphics cards. DIY-APE has also proposed a new standard for headers connecting USB-C and other front panel features to the motherboard. A prototype has been developed in collaboration with Colorful and Sego, showcasing a design that enhances airflow and aesthetics.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Best Steam Deck games under $10 in Scream Fest

The Scream Fest has launched on Steam, offering discounts up to 95% on various games, particularly older titles. The sale is a good opportunity for Steam Deck owners to enhance their gaming library affordably. The event features a curated list of the best Steam Deck games priced under a certain amount, with details on original and discounted prices. The sale ends on November 3, and only Verified games, which work seamlessly on the Steam Deck, are included. Additionally, game bundles like the Frightmare bundle are available, providing significant savings on multiple titles.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

Last chance to grab this month’s Humble Choice with 8 Steam Deck-friendly games for $15

Humble's October 2025 Humble Choice bundle includes eight games: Atomic Heart, V Rising, System Shock, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, Cryptmaster Anniversary Update, Shogun Showdown, Hotel Renovator, and Caravan SandWitch. Many of these games are Verified or Playable on the Steam Deck. The subscription costs .99 per month, allowing members to keep the games permanently even if they cancel. The bundle is available until the end of October, and members receive up to 20% off in the Humble store. Additionally, 5% of the membership fee goes to charity. Steam keys must be redeemed by November 11 to avoid expiration.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Meet the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, a new 24-core Arrow Lake refresh gaming CPU, according to this benchmark leak

Intel is set to release the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus gaming CPU, featuring 24 total cores (8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores) and a base clock of 3.7GHz, with a peak boost clock of approximately 5.5GHz. It utilizes the Intel Arrow Lake architecture and has a 36MB L3 cache, fitting into the Intel LGA1851 socket. The increase in core count compared to the Core Ultra 7 265K aims to enhance multi-threaded performance, although it may not immediately rank among the best gaming CPUs. Users with existing Intel Arrow Lake systems can upgrade without changing motherboards, requiring only a BIOS update.

AppWizard

October 10, 2025

New AMD Ryzen Zen 6 CPUs work on old AM5 motherboards, Asus appears to confirm

Asus has announced that the B850M AYW Gaming OC motherboard will support the upcoming AMD Ryzen CPUs based on the Zen 6 architecture. The motherboard is designed for overclocking enthusiasts and will allow users to upgrade to new CPUs by simply flashing the BIOS on existing AM5 motherboards. Rumors suggest that the Zen 6 architecture may feature significant improvements, including a 24-core CPU and clock speeds up to 7GHz. The marketing materials indicate compatibility with both current AM5 CPUs and future Zen 6 processors. AMD's CPU sockets, like AM4 and AM5, have provided a strategic advantage by allowing users to upgrade their CPUs without needing a new motherboard, unlike Intel's approach with its LGA sockets.

Winsage

October 9, 2025

4 reasons why you might want to roll back to a previous Windows update

Microsoft’s August 2025 update (version KB5063878) caused significant issues for Phison-branded drives, leading to data loss, drive disappearance, and permanent corruption, attributed to a pre-release firmware issue. The 2018 Windows 10 update (version 1809) also resulted in users losing large amounts of files. Smaller problems, such as performance issues with gaming due to a new security feature in Windows 11, are common after updates. Compatibility issues, like the TPM 2.0 requirement, can force users to upgrade hardware. Updates can lead to performance problems, including slow application launches and crashes. Rolling back updates is often a solution, and users are advised to back up important files and create a System Restore snapshot before doing so.