PC components Archives

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve Ships Official Windows Drivers For The Steam Machine, But Installing It Wipes SteamOS Entirely

Valve has released official Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to install Windows while ensuring compatibility with essential hardware components like the AMD Radeon graphics card, WiFi, Bluetooth, and the SD card reader. However, Valve does not recommend transitioning to Windows OS on the Steam Machine at this time. Installing Windows requires wiping the Steam hardware, as dual-booting with SteamOS is not currently available. Valve plans to update its SteamOS installer with a dual-boot wizard in the future, enabling users to run both operating systems simultaneously. SteamOS is promoted as the preferred operating system, offering a console-like gaming experience and optimized user interface.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

AMD Driver Bug Silently Disables Smart Access Memory On Windows 10, Tanking Gaming Performance And Triggering Crashes

Recent reports indicate that AMD's driver is disabling Smart Access Memory (SAM) on Windows 10 systems, resulting in reduced gaming performance. Users have experienced issues such as game crashes and improper recognition of Radeon graphics cards. Many have uninstalled the AMD driver using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) and performed a clean installation, but SAM remains disabled in the Adrenalin software despite BIOS settings being unchanged. Notifications from Windows 10 suggest a conflict between the AMD driver and the operating system. AMD is investigating the issue and has released a preview driver version 26.6.3 to address compatibility problems for RX 7000 series GPUs. Temporary workarounds have been suggested by users, including checking monitor refresh rates and rebooting systems.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

PC price rises to slow this year, says Asus, though not in time for the Steam Machine launch

Asus's Systems Business General Manager, Liao Yi-hsiang, indicated that while some price adjustments for Asus PC products are expected, they will likely be modest, falling within the 1-9% range. This comes in light of a recent decline in component prices, including memory and hard drives. Yi-hsiang noted that any price increases must consider consumer acceptance to avoid exceeding market tolerance. The adjustments are anticipated in the third quarter, coinciding with the peak tech sales season in Fall and Winter. Overall, there is a growing consensus that the market is stabilizing around current pricing structures, although significant price drops, particularly for products like the Steam Deck, are unlikely in the near term.

Winsage

June 23, 2026

AMD Tells Windows 10 Owners To Roll Back Their Drivers As Adrenalin 26.6.2 Triggers A Yellow Bang Error

Many users of Windows 10 are experiencing issues with the AMD Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2 graphics driver, which fails to launch properly and shows a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager. AMD has acknowledged the problem, attributing it to an incompatibility with Windows 10, and has advised users to revert to the previous driver version, Adrenalin Edition 26.6.1. This earlier version does not support FSR 4.1 for RX 7000 series GPUs. There have also been rare reports of similar errors on RX 9000 series systems. AMD's engineers are investigating the issue and working on a solution.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

AMD Says MacBook Neo Can’t Run All Your Games While Ryzen-Based Laptops Can

AMD has released marketing materials highlighting the capabilities of its Ryzen laptops while comparing them to Apple's MacBook Neo. AMD claims that the MacBook Neo can only run 5 out of 20 popular games natively, whereas Ryzen systems can run all 20. The company emphasizes that its laptops provide access to extensive gaming libraries without the need for workarounds. AMD contrasts its Ryzen 5 220 chip with the MacBook Neo's A18 Pro chip, claiming the Ryzen is 57% better at multitasking and 38% faster in content creation. However, the performance of the Radeon 740M integrated into the Ryzen 5 220 may not meet the demands of high-end gaming.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

The Steam Deck OLED’s price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware

Ongoing shortages in memory chips, driven by increased demand from AI-focused data centers, have led to significant price increases for the Steam Deck OLED. The 512GB model's price rose from £479 to £649 in the UK (35% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (44% increase). The 1TB variant increased from £569 to £779 in the UK (36% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (46% increase). Valve attributes these hikes to rising component costs and logistical challenges. The 1TB Steam Deck OLED now competes closely with the Asus ROG Ally X, which offers better performance at a similar price point. The 512GB version has lost its budget-friendly appeal, as the Lenovo Legion Go S undercuts it at £549. Despite the price adjustments, the Steam Deck OLED remains favored for casual gaming due to its design and comfort, but the hikes may deter potential buyers and raise concerns about future products.

TrendTechie

May 23, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 слили за девять дней до релиза

Unencrypted preload files for Forza Horizon 6, totaling approximately 155 GB, have been discovered on Steam. Some players have reportedly launched a version of the game without the day-one patch, but those who went online with the leaked version received permanent hardware bans tied to specific PC components. The official release date for Forza Horizon 6 is May 19, 2026, on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 version expected later in the year. The Premium edition will provide early access starting May 15. The game features over 550 vehicles, including classic Japanese models and exclusive Forza Edition cars.

TrendTechie

May 11, 2026

Полная версия игры Forza Horizon 6 появилась на торрентах за девять дней до релиза

Unencrypted preload files for Forza Horizon 6, totaling approximately 155 GB, were discovered on Steam. Users noted the presence of the data package shortly before it appeared on piracy platforms. Some players reported successfully launching the game, which is believed to be the final version or close to it, but without the day-one patch. Users who played the leaked version have received permanent hardware bans tied to specific PC components. The official release is scheduled for May 19, 2026, on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 version to follow later. The Premium edition offers early access starting on May 15. The game is set in Japan and features over 550 vehicles, including Japanese classics and exclusive Forza Editions.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

Microsoft keeps fixing Windows and Xbox, but the community keeps complaining

Microsoft has rolled out four Windows Insider builds, introduced new hidden features, and revamped the Windows Run feature. Despite these advancements, many Windows 10 users are hesitant to upgrade due to financial constraints. Xbox Mode has received criticism for its performance on dual monitor setups. Approximately 25% of Windows users on Steam are still using Windows 10. Windows 11 will enhance CPU frequency during high-priority tasks, and recent Insider builds have improved touchpad gestures, File Explorer descriptions, and voice-typing interface. Users can now prevent Chrome and Edge from automatically downloading local AI models. Feedback on new features like the Low Latency Profile has been predominantly negative, with users expressing concerns over CPU spikes.

Winsage

April 19, 2026

Microsoft Is Quietly Opening the Windows 11 Taskbar To Third-Party AI Agents That Can Act On Your Desktop

Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Builds 26100.8313 and 26200.8313 to the Release Preview Channel, emphasizing its focus on integrating artificial intelligence into the operating system. The company plans to introduce AI "Agents" in the taskbar, including the Microsoft 365 Researcher, which will enhance user workflows by tracking progress and providing notifications. These AI Agents will be able to act across multiple applications, summarize content, extract data, automate tasks, and manage productivity workloads autonomously. The taskbar will also support third-party AI Agents, allowing developers to create their own. The Microsoft 365 Researcher is part of the Microsoft 365 Copilot suite, which requires a subscription for access. Users who opt out of Copilot will miss out on the benefits of these AI applications.