PC performance Archives

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Monster Hunter Wilds’ infamously wonky PC performance is fixed if the game thinks you’ve spent $500+ on DLC, tech wizard says, and “if Capcom don’t fix this mess,” they’ll release a mod to help you

Players have reported performance issues with Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds on PC. A Reddit user, deTylmarande, discovered that enabling all downloadable content (DLC) may significantly improve the game's performance, particularly in busy areas. They observed that their friend's account, which had all cosmetic DLC, resulted in better frame rates compared to their own account without the DLC. DeTylmarande hypothesized that the game performs extensive checks for DLC ownership, contributing to lag. They suspect this is a bug rather than an intentional design by Capcom and are considering developing a mod to bypass the DLC checks if the issue is not addressed.

Winsage

December 30, 2025

These Changes Stopped Windows Updates From Wrecking My PC Performance

Windows updates can enhance system stability and performance, but they often lead to issues such as stutters and slowdowns due to the unpredictable nature of how updates affect system behavior. Microsoft's release notes do not provide comprehensive details about changes, which can include adjustments to task scheduling, background services, and driver interactions. Independent driver updates, particularly for GPUs and chipsets, can also impact performance negatively. Users have reported significant performance declines after updates, sometimes requiring hotfixes. To manage updates effectively, users can treat Windows updates as optional, be conservative with driver updates, stabilize power management settings, and ensure rollback options are available. This approach can lead to a more predictable and stable system performance.

Tech Optimizer

November 18, 2025

Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 18 launches with Safe Folder and wider malware protection

IObit has released Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 18, which features a Safe Folder for protecting sensitive files against unauthorized access and ransomware. The antivirus database has been expanded to target more malware, and the Surfing Protection Database now covers more malicious websites and ads. The Startup Optimization feature has been improved to monitor more background items, reducing boot time. The Junk File Clean tool now clears temporary data from a wider range of applications, including Microsoft Store apps. The Privacy Sweep feature removes additional traces from apps and browsers, and the software updater now supports more programs. The AutoCare feature adjusts maintenance tasks based on user behavior. Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 18 is available for free download for all Windows versions from Vista onward, with a subscription option for a single PC.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 PC Performance Analysis

Activision has released Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, utilizing the IW Engine. Performance benchmarks were conducted using high-end hardware, including the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and various graphics cards such as the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT and NVIDIA RTX 4090, on a Windows 10 system. The game features over 300 customizable settings for PC gamers and supports Intel XeSS and AMD FSR 4.0. Ray Tracing is available in Multiplayer and Zombies modes but not in the Campaign. All tested GPUs achieved over 60 FPS at 1080p on maximum settings, with AMD hardware showing superior performance. At 1440p, most GPUs maintained smooth gameplay, except for the NVIDIA RTX 2080Ti. At Native 4K, the top five GPUs exceeded 60 FPS, with AMD GPUs performing well against NVIDIA counterparts. The game has visual appeal but suffers from pop-in issues and inconsistent texture quality. Gameplay is smooth with minimal stuttering and responsive controls. Overall, the game performs well across various PC configurations, though its visual quality may not meet franchise expectations.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Baldur’s Gate 3 publishing chief says the Steam Machine isn’t super high-spec because there’s “genuinely no point” when people who want demanding PC performance on TV “know how to turn any PC into a Steam Machine”

Michael Douse, the publishing director for Baldur's Gate 3, believes Valve's upcoming Steam Machine is likely to succeed like the Steam Deck, with specifications positioned between the Xbox Series S and the base models of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. He highlights that high-performance PC gamers can build more powerful rigs for less than consoles, but targeting a broader audience is a smart business strategy. Douse notes that the Steam Deck has inspired a new handheld market and anticipates similar developments with the Steam Machine, predicting more robust, Linux-based PCs for TV use from various manufacturers. He sees a "massive opportunity" in the pre-built PC market for living room use, suggesting that if Valve can create an entry point, it could lead to significant growth and innovation. Douse speculates that the future of living room gaming may shift from a few dominant hardware manufacturers to a competitive landscape of storefronts, with Valve and Xbox having an advantage due to their support for third-party hardware.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Best Arc Raiders settings for optimized PC performance

The optimal settings for Arc Raiders on PC include: Graphics Settings: - Nvidia DLSS Frame Generation: Off - Vsync: Disabled - Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: On - Frame Rate Limit: Unlimited - Upscaled Resolution: 100% - Resolution Scaling Method: DLSS or FSR - Nvidia DLSS Quality: DLAA - Nvidia DLSS Model: Transformer - Field of View: 70 - Motion Blur: Off or your preference - Nvidia RTX Global Illumination: Dynamic - high - View Distance: Epic - Anti-Aliasing: Epic - Shadows: Epic - Post-Processing: Epic - Texture: Epic - Effects: Epic - Reflections: Epic - Foliage: Epic - Global Illumination Resolution: Medium Using these settings on an RTX 4070 yielded an average frame rate of 104fps at 1080p. At 1440p, the average frame rate was 78fps, and at 4K, it dropped to 43fps, which improved to over 70fps when settings were adjusted to high and DLSS upscaling was utilized. Audio Settings: - Use a quality gaming headset for better audio positioning. - Enable Night Mode for balanced audio mix. - Utilize push-to-talk for in-game proximity chat. Steam Deck Performance: Arc Raiders runs well on the Steam Deck at a native resolution of 1,280 x 800 with low detail settings, achieving frame rates of 40-50fps. Running the game in Proton Experimental mode is necessary for optimal performance. Testing Setup: The testing rig included an Intel Core i7-11700F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 12GB, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and an MSI B560 motherboard, with assessments conducted at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. SSD Recommendation: While not required, using an SSD is recommended to reduce loading times. Performance Monitoring: Nvidia users can monitor performance with the in-game overlay (ALT + R), while AMD users can use the Radeon overlay (CTRL + SHIFT + O). Free software like CapFrameX or Nvidia FrameView can also be used for benchmarking.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

A new Battlefield 6 “casual” mode aims to find middle ground as dev continues fightback against XP farming

Battlefield Studios has introduced a new Casual Breakthrough mode for Battlefield 6, designed to offer a relaxed gameplay experience by combining human players and AI-controlled bots. In this mode, two teams of 24 players each consist of eight human participants and 16 bots, allowing players to earn progression and complete challenges. Players receive full XP rewards for actions against human opponents, while interactions with AI yield reduced experience rates. The mode is currently available on two maps: Siege of Cairo and Empire State, but does not include dogtags, accolades, or career stat upgrades. The developers are seeking player feedback to make further adjustments if necessary. Additionally, temporary changes to XP rates in the Strikepoint mode have been implemented to ensure fair progression while investigating an exploit for rapid experience gains.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

Battlefield 6’s PC Sales “Among the Best Seen For a Premium Game” in the US

Battlefield 6 sold over seven million copies within three days of its release, with the PC version significantly contributing to this success. The game had nearly 750,000 peak concurrent players on Steam at launch. Steam accounted for 56.7 percent of sales, translating to over 3.5 million units sold. The PS5 version contributed 23.7 percent with over 1.5 million sales. Total sales were estimated to exceed 6.5 million in the first week. The game's first season is set to launch on October 28th.

Tech Optimizer

October 22, 2025

4 free antiviruses that protect, detect and remove viruses and malware without slowing down your PC

Experiencing a slowdown in computer performance, delayed program launches, or unexpected pop-ups may indicate a digital infection. Free antivirus software can effectively address these issues. Free versions from reputable companies now rival paid counterparts in detection capabilities and performance. Windows Defender is a built-in solution with real-time scanning, a firewall, and ransomware protection. Avast Free Antivirus offers a user-friendly interface and intelligent detection, including network scans. AVG AntiVirus Free is known for minimal resource consumption and shares a database with Avast. Kaspersky Free provides substantial protection against phishing and malware without intrusive ads. Choosing the right antivirus depends on usage patterns; casual users may suffice with free options, while those handling sensitive data might need premium versions. Lightweight solutions like AVG or Windows Defender are suitable for older computers, while Avast or Kaspersky are better for modern laptops connecting to public Wi-Fi. Regular updates for free antivirus programs are essential for protection against emerging threats. Real-time detection is crucial for blocking threats before they affect the system, and most contemporary free solutions utilize cloud-based systems for enhanced security. Independent assessments show that effective free antivirus programs consume minimal system resources. Safe online habits, such as avoiding unfamiliar links and software from questionable sources, complement antivirus protection. Installing multiple antivirus programs can lead to conflicts, so it's best to use one reliable solution. Comprehensive protection can be achieved without financial investment by making informed choices.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

EA is giving some Battlefield 6 players free battle passes and boosters to patch up launch-day snafu

EA and Battlefield Studios are addressing player frustrations from the launch of Battlefield 6, which faced significant outages and confusion for Steam users regarding game availability. Despite these challenges, the game has received positive reviews and reached the number three position on Steam. Battlefield Studios acknowledged the outage and is offering affected players 12 Hardware Boosters, 12 Career Boosters, and full access to a seasonal battle pass. They are also investigating issues with players not receiving in-game rewards and have provided troubleshooting steps for Steam users experiencing a 'Game not released' message. The community is encouraged to share experiences and strategies on the PCGamesN Discord server.