NVMe Archives

Winsage

May 11, 2025

Fast Startup might actually be slowing your PC down

Fast Startup on Windows enhances boot times by placing the computer in a hibernation-like state, saving the system state to disk for quicker startups, but does not preserve open programs and processes. Disabling Fast Startup is advisable for users with modern SSDs unless they experience noticeable slowdowns. Fast Startup circumvents traditional shutdowns, which are necessary for proper power cycling of components, potentially leading to system issues over time. It can disrupt Windows updates, causing instability and missing features, making it wise to keep it disabled for regular updaters. For dual-boot systems with Windows and Linux, Fast Startup should be disabled to avoid boot issues and potential data corruption. It can also exacerbate wake-from-sleep problems, leading to slower wake times and peripheral malfunctions. Users with modern NVMe SSDs may find that Fast Startup offers minimal advantages and could even result in longer boot times.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

How To Dual Boot Linux and Windows on any PC

The process of installing Linux has evolved from text-based installers in the late 1990s to user-friendly graphical installers in distributions like Ubuntu and OpenSUSE. Users can start with a single-board computer like the Raspberry Pi or set up a dual-boot configuration with Windows and Linux using a custom boot menu called GRUB. It is advisable to back up the drive before installation to prevent data loss. To create a Linux Install USB, users need to download an ISO image of the Linux distribution and use Rufus to write it onto a USB drive of at least 8GB. The steps include selecting the USB drive, choosing the Linux OS, selecting the GPT partition scheme, and writing the OS in ISO image mode. For dual-boot installation, users should insert the USB drive, boot from it, and select “Try or Install Ubuntu” from the GRUB menu. After testing hardware functionality, the installation process involves selecting language, configuring accessibility, choosing keyboard layout, connecting to the Internet, and selecting installation options. Users must choose “Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager” and allocate space for each operating system. After installation, users need to adjust BIOS settings to ensure the system boots from the Linux installation. This includes selecting the Boot menu, setting the Linux install as Boot Option 1, and saving the changes. Upon rebooting, users can select their Linux OS from the GRUB menu and verify the functionality of both operating systems.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

GTA 6 to release soon: Is your PC setup ready for the game?

Rockstar Games is releasing Grand Theft Auto VI, which will have significantly higher hardware demands compared to GTA V, requiring two to three times the processing power. The game will feature advanced visuals, real-time ray tracing, and complex environments. For 1080p gameplay, players will need at least an RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6800 XT. Minimum system requirements are expected to include an Intel Core i5-6600K processor, NVIDIA GTX 1660 graphics card, 12 GB of RAM, and 150 GB of SSD storage. Recommended specs for high-resolution gameplay include an Intel Core i7-10700 CPU, NVIDIA RTX 3060 or RTX 2080 SUPER, and 16 GB of RAM, preferably with NVMe SSDs. Gaming laptops will require at least an RTX 4050 for low settings at 1080p, while an RTX 5070 is recommended for better performance. Multi-core CPUs with at least eight physical cores are necessary to avoid frame drops during intense gameplay. SSDs are mandatory for the game to ensure fast loading and asset streaming, with a total game size of 150 GB.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Is Windows 11 Finally Better Than Windows 10 For Gaming?

Windows 11 has introduced several gaming-focused enhancements that are not present in Windows 10, including: - DirectStorage: Optimized for Windows 11, this technology allows games to load data directly from an NVMe SSD to the GPU, reducing load times. - Auto HDR: Enhances older games by automatically applying high dynamic range lighting effects for users with HDR-capable monitors. - Improved Scheduling for Hybrid CPUs: Offers better task scheduling for Intel's 12th or 13th generation CPUs, resulting in smoother frame rates during CPU-intensive gaming sessions. Benchmark tests show minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, with slight FPS improvements in some titles on Windows 11, especially when using advanced hardware and DirectStorage. As of March 2025, over 55% of Windows users on Steam have transitioned to Windows 11, indicating growing confidence in the operating system among gamers. Windows 11 has addressed many early bugs and driver issues, providing robust stability on compatible systems. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for TPM 2.0 and UEFI secure boot. Windows 10 remains supported until October 2025, making it a viable option for users with older hardware. Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a centered Start Menu and Taskbar, rounded corners, and expanded personalization options. It also simplifies the update process with annual feature updates and smaller, faster security updates. Windows 11 enhances integration with Microsoft services, supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, and introduces productivity tools like Snap Layouts and improved Task View. Security improvements include mandatory TPM 2.0, enhanced Windows Defender, and a redesigned privacy dashboard for better user control over app permissions. Despite its advancements, Windows 11 has limitations such as ongoing stability issues, driver compatibility concerns, and a simplified taskbar that lacks certain functionalities from Windows 10. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

How to transfer your Windows 11 setup to a new hard drive — no extra app required

Users of Windows 11 may need to upgrade their hard drive due to space constraints or the drive nearing the end of its lifespan, typically within three to five years. They can create a system image backup using the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 11. To create a system image, users must access the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security, and select "Create a system image." The backup can be saved on a hard disk, and users can choose to include additional drives. To create a USB bootable media for recovery, users should visit the Windows 11 download page, download the Media Creation Tool, and follow the prompts to create a USB flash drive. Replacing the hard drive involves powering down the computer, removing the cover, disconnecting cables, and installing the new drive. After installation, users can restore the previous Windows 11 installation from the system image backup by booting from the USB drive and selecting "System Image Recovery." If the new drive has unallocated space, users can create a new partition or expand the existing setup partition. To create a data partition, users can access Settings, navigate to Storage, and create a new volume from unallocated space. To expand the setup partition, users must delete the recovery partition, extend the installation drive, and recreate the recovery partition using Command Prompt and Disk Management. Finally, users should re-enable BitLocker after completing these processes.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Learn how the Windows Server 2025 editions differ

Microsoft is set to release Windows Server 2025 in November 2024, featuring several editions: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter Azure. Windows Server Essentials is limited to servers with a single CPU and fewer than 10 cores and can only be obtained through hardware OEMs. The Standard edition allows Hyper-V licensing for up to two virtual machines, while the Datacenter edition has no such limits and offers more flexibility with disaster recovery features. The Datacenter Azure edition is optimized for the cloud and receives annual updates. The hardware requirements for Windows Server 2025 include a minimum 64-bit CPU at 1.4 GHz, support for various instructions, and the ability to accommodate up to 2,048 logical processors. The minimum memory requirement is 512 MB, with 2 GB recommended for optimal performance. Storage requirements suggest at least 64 GB for better performance, especially with Desktop Experience, and a Gigabit Ethernet adapter is necessary for networking. Several features have been deprecated in Windows Server 2025, including Computer Browser, Failover Clustering Cluster Sets, and NTLM, among others. Completely removed features include IIS 6 Management Console, NTLMv1, and Windows PowerShell 2.0 Engine. Organizations planning to migrate to Windows Server 2025 must ensure their hardware meets the minimum requirements and can perform an in-place upgrade if currently using Windows Server 2012 R2 or newer. Testing in a lab environment and backing up servers before migration are recommended steps.

Winsage

March 15, 2025

Create a Great PC Gaming Experience

- Invest in a high-refresh-rate monitor and a robust graphics card with DirectX 12 Ultimate features for improved gaming performance. - Windows 11 supports spatial sound, including Windows Sonic for Headphones, which enhances audio immersion. - To enable spatial sound, go to Start > Settings > System > Sound, select your playback device, choose Windows Sonic for Headphones under Spatial sound, and click Apply. - The Xbox app in Windows 11 serves as a central hub for managing games across platforms. - DirectStorage in Windows 11 reduces load times for games on NVMe SSDs. - Maintain optimal cooling for your system by ensuring adequate cooling solutions and regular cleaning to prevent dust accumulation. - Optimize display settings in Windows 11 by adjusting resolution, enabling HDR if supported, fine-tuning scale and layout settings, and setting the refresh rate to the highest available option.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

I couldn’t take my eyes off this laptop’s premium 4K, 120Hz OLED display for the entire review period

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) is priced at ,899.99 and features a 14-inch PureSight Pro OLED display with a 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,400), 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 support. It is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU (8 cores, 8 threads, up to 3.7GHz) and an Intel Arc Graphics 140V GPU with 16GB of memory. The laptop includes 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD, and a 75Whr battery with a 65W USB Type-C charger. It weighs 1.25kg (2.76lbs) and has a unique glass lid design, though it offers limited port options with only two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. The display is noted for its exceptional color accuracy and vibrancy, with a peak brightness of 750 nits. The laptop runs on Windows 11 and has a battery life averaging around six hours. The keyboard is redesigned for comfort, but the touchpad is small. It features quad speakers, a microphone array, and an under-display webcam that lacks quality. The base model starts at ,759.99 with an Intel Core Ultra 256V, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, with upgrade options available.

AppWizard

February 24, 2025

This Raspberry Pi Creeper robot is bringing our Minecraft nightmares to real life

The Raspberry Pi has been used to create a creeper robot by developer Efren Lopez, integrating artificial intelligence. The robot can navigate and observe its surroundings, featuring a body on motorized wheels, a movable head with a servo mechanism, and a camera module for vision. It is powered by a Raspberry Pi 5, connected to a Pimoroni NVMe Base Duo, a Hailo-8 Raspberry Pi AI kit, and a Pimoroni Yukon board, with onboard batteries for mobility. The robot includes two cameras (a Pi Cam V3 and an Arducam ToF module) and a Dayton audio transducer for audio output. Lopez has shared build videos on YouTube to showcase the robot's capabilities.

Tech Optimizer

February 22, 2025

How Mindbody improved query latency and optimized costs using Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Optimized Reads

Mindbody utilizes a cloud-based platform for the fitness and wellness industry, offering services such as client booking, scheduling, payments, marketing, and analytics. Their email marketing platform is built on an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster, currently at version 13.8, with a size of approximately 17 TB and a workload distribution of 80% reads and 20% writes. Mindbody faced scaling and performance challenges due to architectural limitations and increasing data demands, leading to all workloads being directed to the writer node. The average BufferCacheHitRatio was below 80%, indicating frequent disk access rather than cache hits, contributing to higher query latencies and I/O costs. To address these issues, Mindbody adopted Aurora Optimized Reads, which enhances caching capacity and improves latency and throughput for I/O-intensive workloads. Transitioning required upgrading the database cluster to version 14.9 or higher, and extensive testing was conducted in a proof-of-concept environment. The upgrade process involved a blue/green deployment strategy to minimize production disruption. After implementing Aurora Optimized Reads, Mindbody experienced significant performance improvements, including a 50% reduction in average daily CPU utilization and a 90% reduction in ReadIOPS. The AuroraOptimizedReadsCacheHitRatio indicated that 85% of read requests were served from the optimized cache. Cost analysis revealed a 23% reduction in monthly Aurora costs post-transition, with potential for further savings by downsizing instances.