PC upgrade Archives

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

It’s not weird to want a generative AI disclosure on games

The rising costs of RAM have delayed a PC upgrade for the author, who reflects on the implications of technology in gaming. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Steam's generative AI disclosure requirement, comparing it to revealing haircare routines. The author supports Valve's perspective, viewing the disclosure as a safeguard against issues related to generative AI, which has been accused of automating plagiarism and using copyrighted material. The energy demands of AI data centers are also a concern, drawing parallels to collective environmental damage. Transparency in AI usage in gaming is deemed essential, with Activision's vague statement about generative AI in Call of Duty raising questions. The author believes that if AI enhances games, developers should explain their creative processes. As AI-generated content becomes more common, there may be a trend for developers to announce their lack of AI involvement, though the prospect of creativity driven by algorithms is seen as disheartening.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

New laptop? How to wipe your old Windows PC clean before getting rid of it

Many individuals and businesses upgrade their PCs as the new year approaches and face decisions about their old devices. Options include passing it down, reallocating it, donating, or selling. Essential steps for transitioning include migrating applications and files, securely erasing personal data, and resetting the operating system. To migrate apps and files, use the Windows Backup app to back up settings and installed apps, and transfer personal folders to OneDrive. For legacy software, ensure you have activation codes and installation files. Back up important files using cloud storage or create a full image backup to a removable hard drive. To wipe old data, enable BitLocker Disk Encryption on Windows 11 Pro or delete sensitive files and wipe disk space on Windows 11 Home using the command cipher /w:c:. To prepare the old PC for a new owner, options for installing a fresh copy of Windows 11 include resetting the PC, reinstalling a factory image, or performing a clean install using bootable media. Resetting involves navigating to Settings > System > Recovery and selecting "Remove everything." Reimaging uses a manufacturer-provided recovery image, while a clean install requires bootable media created with the Media Creation Tool.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

Gaming RAM and SSD prices are about to soar, and it’s all the fault of AI, says Adata chairman

Simon Chen, chairman of Adata, has reported that the prices of RAM and SSDs are rising due to increased demand from the artificial intelligence sector, leading to severe shortages in the market. This competition for memory and storage components is affecting supply typically reserved for consumer use, resulting in higher costs for gamers upgrading or purchasing new PCs. DDR4 RAM is projected to see price increases of up to 30% between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. Earlier this year, TrendForce indicated that RAM prices were already on the rise, with DDR4 being the most impacted segment. Adata is advising its staff to sell sparingly to maintain inventory levels amid these challenges.

AppWizard

October 9, 2025

This AMD Ryzen 5 gaming CPU is down to just $61 on Prime Day, and it even includes a cooler

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 CPU is available for a low price during Prime Day, featuring six cores and a cooler included. It is based on the Zen 3 architecture and was originally priced at 9 in 2022. The CPU has 16MB of L3 cache and supports only PCIe 3.0, making it unsuitable for the latest PCIe 5.0 GPUs. It requires a Socket AM4 motherboard and DDR4 memory, as it does not support DDR5. The Ryzen 5 5500 is a cost-effective upgrade for those with existing AM4 systems. The deal is priced at .92 in the UK.

Winsage

September 27, 2025

Indian PCs face security threats as Windows 10 support ends next month

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting users to either upgrade to Windows 11 or pay an annual fee for Extended Security Updates (ESU). Analysts predict that enterprise PC shipments in India could reach 1.2 to 1.5 million units in the coming year, coinciding with a natural refresh cycle. Demand for affordable PCs under Rs. 15,000 is increasing, leading to a rise in the refurbished PC market. Compliance-driven sectors like banking and healthcare must upgrade to Windows 11 or seek extended support, with an expected 11% growth in the Indian PC market this year. Lenovo reports a 78% adoption rate of Windows 11 among enterprises, with SMBs expected to accelerate upgrades. Environmental concerns are also significant, as the transition could lead to increased e-waste, prompting companies like Acer and Lenovo to explore recycling and waste reduction strategies.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Save $30 on this speedy 2TB Kingston gaming SSD upgrade for your Steam Deck

A 2TB Kingston NV3 2230 SSD is currently available on Amazon for .95, discounted from its manufacturer's suggested retail price. This SSD is particularly beneficial for Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally users, as it effectively doubles the available storage for games. The Kingston NV3 operates on a PCIe 4.0 interface with sequential read and write speeds of 6,000MB/s and 5,000MB/s, respectively. While the Steam Deck's PCIe 3.0 architecture limits read speeds to 3,500MB/s, the Kingston drive will not bottleneck performance. Compared to traditional microSD cards, which max out at 100-300MB/s, the Kingston NV3 offers superior speed, especially for newer handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally. The drive is also available for £109.99 in the UK.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Improve your PC’s performance for under $15 with Microsoft’s most advanced operating system

A lifetime license for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. This offer includes advanced security features, performance enhancements, and an AI-powered assistant called Copilot. Windows 11 Pro supports TPM 2.0, BitLocker encryption, and DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming. Customers receive a digital key and installation instructions upon purchase. The offer is limited and subject to change.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Shenmue III Enhanced Edition Announced, Free PC Upgrade Confirmed

ININ Games has announced an Enhanced Edition for Shenmue 3, which will be a complimentary upgrade for existing PC owners. The Enhanced Edition includes sharper 4K textures, richer details in environments and characters, faster load times, and support for NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR. The city village of Niaowu will feature more NPCs. Gameplay enhancements include a new optional camera view, an adjustable stamina system, healing options before battles, and reduced costs for progression. These changes are optional, allowing players to retain the original experience if desired. The release date is currently unannounced.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

Microsoft Revives Windows 7-Style PC Migration Tool for Windows 11

Microsoft has launched a new PC-to-PC migration tool for Windows 10 and 11, integrated into the Windows Backup app, allowing users to transfer files and personal settings between two computers over a local network. This tool revives the functionality of "Windows Easy Transfer" from earlier Windows versions. The migration process requires both PCs to be on the same network and connected to power, with a secure pairing process using a six-digit code. The tool transfers user files, documents, photos, videos, and personalization settings but does not transfer installed applications, saved passwords, system files, or files already in OneDrive. It also requires the old PC to run Windows 10 or 11 and the new PC to run Windows 11 version 2024 or later, with both computers signed into a Microsoft Account. The tool currently does not support ARM-based devices.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Should you replace your Windows 10 PC on Prime Day? Here’s how to know

Amazon's Prime Day event is from July 8th to July 11th, offering significant discounts on devices. Windows 10 support will end in October, prompting users to either continue with unsupported systems, purchase a year's support, or buy a new model. To check if a PC can be upgraded to Windows 11, users can use the free PC Health Check app, which identifies unmet hardware requirements. A key requirement for Windows 11 is a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), but many devices fail to qualify due to outdated processors rather than TPM absence. If a PC does not qualify for the upgrade, users should consider purchasing a new device, especially with Prime Day deals approaching.