PC enthusiasts Archives

Winsage

July 5, 2026

The Curious Case of Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, Essentially Windows 11 “Pro Max”

Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, available since 2021, is a successor to Windows 10 Pro for Workstations. It focuses on performance and efficiency, lacking consumer bloat such as sponsored shortcuts. Key features include support for the Resilient File System (ReFS), which enhances fault-tolerant storage, and the ability to support up to four CPU sockets and a maximum memory capacity of 6 TB. Networking capabilities include support for SMB Direct client and RDMA, which improve performance for clustered AI inferencing setups. It also supports NVDIMM-N for enhanced workstation applications. Unlike Windows Server, it does not include a native NVMe SSD driver. Windows 11 Pro for Workstations is not available for direct purchase by end-users; it can only be obtained through OEM channels or the Windows for Business channel.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

PC Gamers Can Save $40 In Free Game Offer, Includes 10/10 Hit

The Epic Games Store is offering free games for PC users until 4 PM BST on Thursday, July 2. This week's titles are RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition and Voidwright, both typically priced at .99. Voidwright is a 2D action-platformer developed by Powersnake, featuring exploration, combat against over 10 enemies and 11 bosses, and an average Metacritic score of 76. The game offers around eight hours for the main storyline and up to 16 hours for completionist runs. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition is a remastered version of the 2004 classic, allowing players to manage amusement parks with a playtime ranging from 20 to 200 hours. It has an 88% 'Very Positive' rating on Steam and includes both the Soaked! and Wild! expansions.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

“Nintendo will not be challenged at all” — Surging prices have damaged the PC gaming handheld market, and our readers did not hold back

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is priced at ,799, reflecting increased component costs due to the AI boom and its premium build quality. In comparison, the Steam Deck started at 9, allowing consumers to buy multiple gaming consoles. Nintendo has shipped nearly 156 million Switch units and 19.86 million Switch 2 units, while the Steam Deck has sold an estimated 4 million units. The Nintendo Switch's sales surged after a price hike in Japan but later declined, with a similar price adjustment expected in the US, Canada, and Europe. Users distinguish the Steam Deck as an "enthusiast device" for PC gamers, while the Switch is the exclusive platform for Nintendo titles. The PC gaming handheld market is viewed as hibernating rather than over, with optimism for future developments despite current challenges. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ features Intel's Arc G3 chips, which have generated excitement about its performance. There is a significant audience interested in the right combination of price and specifications for handheld PC gaming.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

This gaming PC can boot to Windows in just six seconds, runs Unreal at 1300fps

A Reddit user named OMORES constructed a gaming PC that boots to Windows 95 in six seconds, using a Ryzen 9 9900X processor, 64GB of DDR5-6400 RAM, and a PCIe to PCI adapter for legacy expansion cards. The setup includes an Nvidia GeForce 7900 GS graphics card and an NVMe M.2 SSD, achieving a boot time significantly faster than a typical Windows 11 system, which takes around ten to twenty seconds. OMORES's build can run classic games like Half-Life and the original Unreal at 1300 frames per second.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is official – and this time there’s no Xbox Game Pass free option, but it will be on Nintendo Switch 2

Activision has announced the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on October 5, which will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This game will not be included in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at launch, requiring players on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Switch 2 to purchase it outright. The game features a narrative with high-stakes scenarios and intense combat in locations like Korea, New York, Paris, and Mumbai, along with 12 core multiplayer maps at launch. The development is led by Infinity Ward and Beenox, with gameplay mechanics optimized for PC. Further details are expected during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

PC 90% Rated Game Free But Not For Long, It’s Your Last Chance

Steam is offering Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 for free, a game focused on automotive repair with a 90% positive rating from over 21,000 reviews. The game allows players to manage a virtual car repair service and is noted for its detailed mechanics. The free offer will end on May 27.

Winsage

May 20, 2026

Windows multi-monitor HDR bug: Why do your displays share the wrong calibration?

Windows has a bug that affects HDR calibration for multi-monitor setups, causing incorrect peak brightness data to be applied across different displays. This results in distorted colors and highlights, particularly impacting gaming experiences where games draw settings from Windows. The issue is suspected to be triggered by the device entering standby mode, waking from sleep, or physically swapping display cables. Microsoft has not officially recognized or fixed this problem, leaving users to manually check their display profiles or restart their systems as a workaround.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Get 21 Steam Deck-friendly games worth $250 for only $43 with Fanatical’s latest indie game bundle

Fanatical has launched the Build-Your-Own Indie Showcase Bundle for Steam Deck owners, allowing customers to select from a variety of Verified and Playable titles. The pricing structure is as follows: three to four games cost .50 each, five to six games cost .40 each, and seven or more games cost .25 each. Selecting all 21 compatible games in the bundle totals .75, an 83% discount from the original price of .71. The bundle includes titles such as Flick Shot Rogues, Caves of Lore, and TownsFolk, with some marked as Verified and others as Playable. Valve's verification system indicates how well games perform on the Steam Deck, with Verified titles expected to run seamlessly and Playable titles requiring minor adjustments. Additionally, Fanatical offers a Crazy Co-Op bundle with 13 Steam Deck-friendly games.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Minecraft Java Edition will finally let you party up with your pals, without the need for mods

The Java Edition of Minecraft is introducing new social features, including a friends list system and peer-to-peer connectivity, directly into the game. The Minecraft 26.2 Snapshot 7 update allows players to open private worlds to friends through a 'Multiplayer Options' menu, enabling invitations and access requests. The friends list can be accessed from the title screen and pause menu. These features are exclusive to the Java Edition, and while they may reduce the need for the Essential Mod, some players may continue to use it due to the early stages of the new connectivity features. Access to these updates is currently limited to the Minecraft Snapshot preview system.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Someone made a gaming PC so big you can live in it, and yes, it actually plays games

A modder named Soda Baka has created a room-sized gaming PC that allows users to engage with games through a screen mounted on the motherboard. This build includes a functional gaming PC and a 12,000W charcoal sauna, which initially raised the internal temperature to 100.4°F. To manage the heat, a cooling system with giant fans and an air conditioning unit reduced the temperature to 77°F. The project showcases innovative design within the modding community.