performance benchmarks Archives

Tech Optimizer

April 19, 2026

Avast Antivirus: Between Free Tier Strength and Privacy Risks, Things Are Getting Interesting

Avast Antivirus offers free protection against malware, phishing, and unsafe websites, featuring real-time scanning, ransomware protection, and a behavior-based detection system. The free edition includes protective shields for files, emails, and web browsing, while Avast Premium Security provides advanced ransomware defense and a secure browser. Avast One bundles additional features like a VPN and parental controls. Gen Digital acquired Avast in 2022, positioning it as a key part of its consumer cybersecurity strategy, with a freemium model that attracts users and encourages upgrades to premium plans. Avast has a user base of 435 million, with millions transitioning to paid subscriptions annually. The global antivirus market is experiencing double-digit growth, driven by increasing cyber threats. Avast competes with major players like Norton, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky, while facing challenges from free alternatives like Windows Defender. The company previously faced privacy issues related to the sale of anonymized browsing data but has since implemented transparency measures and compliance with EU regulations. Avast is exploring AI-driven detection methods and post-quantum defenses to enhance its offerings.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Windows 11 vs CachyOS in gaming: Has Linux finally caught up to Windows?

Serious gaming on Linux has become a reality, with modern games showing impressive performance. A performance comparison was conducted between Windows 11 (25H2 build) and CachyOS (March 2026 build), a Linux distribution optimized for gaming. The test system specifications included a Cooler Master GA27127-inch monitor, Intel Core i5 12400F CPU, 24GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, 1TB HDD, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT GPU, and the respective operating systems with their drivers. In gaming performance benchmarks, CachyOS outperformed Windows 11 by an average of 8.6% across five tested games. Specific game performances included: - Dead Space Remake: 70 FPS (Windows 11) vs 76 FPS (CachyOS) - Resident Evil 4 Remake: 84 FPS (Windows 11) vs 95 FPS (CachyOS) - Scorn: 118 FPS (Windows 11) vs 120 FPS (CachyOS) - Silent Hill 2 Remake: 53 FPS (Windows 11) vs 54 FPS (CachyOS) - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next-Gen: 95 FPS (Windows 11) vs 111 FPS (CachyOS) In ray tracing (RT) enabled games, performance varied: - Resident Evil 4 Remake: 77 FPS (Windows 11) vs 83 FPS (CachyOS) - Silent Hill 2 Remake: 30 FPS (Windows 11) vs 24 FPS (CachyOS) - The Witcher 3: 51 FPS (both systems) Most PC games are designed for Windows, while Linux games require the Proton compatibility layer, which can complicate performance. Multiplayer titles often face compatibility issues on Linux, particularly due to anti-cheat systems. Linux has matched or surpassed Windows 11 in single-player scenarios for users with AMD GPUs, while NVIDIA users face challenges due to proprietary drivers.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Crimson Desert gets the edge on PC with a transformative graphics upgrade

Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, features ray tracing options on PC that enhance lighting quality and visual fidelity. Digital Foundry's Alex Battaglia highlighted these advancements in a dedicated video, noting that ray tracing significantly improves the game's lighting across platforms and optimizes performance even on less powerful systems. Players can utilize AMD's FSR Ray Regeneration or Nvidia's DLSS Ray Reconstruction if their hardware supports it. The optimizations yield a notable boost in visual fidelity, with a 14% average frame rate drop on an RTX 5080 in 4K performance mode when Ray Reconstruction is enabled, and a 24% decrease on an RX 9070 XT with FSR4's Ray Regeneration. The system requirements for Crimson Desert are accessible, allowing players to customize settings for their builds, but the introduction of Denuvo DRM has sparked controversy among some players. Pearl Abyss has confirmed that performance benchmarks were conducted using the same Denuvo implementation that will be present in the launch build.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

Microsoft flips Windows Autopatch to default hotpatch security updates

Microsoft will automatically enable hotpatch security updates for Windows devices managed through Microsoft Intune or the Microsoft Graph API starting with the May 2026 Windows security update. This feature allows security fixes to be applied without requiring a device restart, improving compliance efficiency. Devices that install the April 2026 baseline security update will begin receiving hotpatch updates in May 2026, but this will only apply to devices not already assigned to a quality update policy. Organizations can opt out of hotpatch updates for specific device groups or their entire tenant starting April 1, 2026.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

This Smartphone Lets You Use Windows, But Is Far From A New Windows Phone

Microsoft discontinued Windows Phone in 2017, a decision regretted by CEO Satya Nadella. Nex Computer is now taking pre-orders for the NexPhone, which aims to run Android, Linux, and Windows 11. The device features a custom Mobile UI designed for touch interactions, reminiscent of Windows Phone. When connected to an external display, it offers full Windows 11 capabilities but lacks cellular connectivity in Windows mode. The NexPhone is not intended to replace primary smartphones but serves as a secondary option with mid-range performance, powered by Qualcomm's DragonWing QCM6490 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. It operates on Windows for Arm, which may present compatibility issues. While in Windows mode, cellular calling and SMS functions are unavailable, requiring users to switch to Android for those features. The device has a rugged design with military-grade build quality, a 120 Hz 6.58-inch display, a 64 MP main camera, and a 5,000 mAh battery, priced at 9.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Windows 11 Reaches 1 Billion Users in 1,576 Days — Faster Than Windows 10

Microsoft reported that Windows 11 has reached one billion users worldwide in 1,576 days, surpassing the 1,706 days it took Windows 10 to achieve the same milestone. CEO Satya Nadella highlighted this as a significant milestone for the Windows brand. Windows 11 was launched on October 5, 2021, and has undergone significant evolution, despite facing challenges such as bugs and system crashes. Microsoft plans to maintain Windows 11 as a long-term version, delaying the introduction of a successor. In the latest quarterly results, Windows reported a 5% year-over-year growth, which was below Microsoft's expectations.

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Your first Windows on ARM gaming laptop may be a Lenovo Legion

Lenovo is potentially leading the transition of Windows on ARM gaming laptops to mainstream offerings, with indications of a new Legion 7 model featuring NVIDIA’s N1X designation. The naming conventions of Lenovo's products suggest a broader strategy, as recent discoveries show multiple models with N1 and N1X tags across various product families. The Legion 7, a 15-inch model, stands out as it signifies a commitment to high performance. However, challenges remain regarding Windows gaming on ARM, particularly in terms of driver compatibility and performance across major titles. The significance of the Legion branding suggests confidence in the gaming experience on this platform. Confirmation of specifications and performance benchmarks will be crucial to validate the capabilities of the N1X model. For those prioritizing compatibility, conventional Windows gaming machines are still recommended, but potential buyers should monitor for Legion 7 N1X listings and details.

Winsage

January 20, 2026

NVIDIA-powered Windows on Arm laptops may launch in 2026 — new report suggests it’s actually happening

NVIDIA's N1X laptops are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026, shifting from an initial 2025 timeline. The NVIDIA N1 chip is currently operational in the DGX Spark AI supercomputer, showcasing performance capabilities. The N1X is anticipated to target the high-end market, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips remain aimed at budget-conscious consumers. The introduction of N1X-powered devices could enhance the Windows on Arm ecosystem and increase competition in the market.

Tech Optimizer

January 20, 2026

10 Best Antivirus Software in 2026 (Tested for Windows, Mac & Mobile)

Antivirus software is still crucial in cybersecurity, with global cybercrime costs estimated at .5 trillion annually. In 2026, various antivirus options include: 1. Bitdefender: Online protection rate of 99.97% as of March 2025; free version available; paid plans start from .99. 2. Norton: Offers real-time protection, password manager, and cloud backup; plans start at an unspecified price. 3. Avast: Ideal for beginners; free version available; paid plans start around .88 per year. 4. McAfee: Unlimited device protection with privacy features; plans start from .99 per year. 5. Avira: Strong free option with real-time protection; free tier available; paid plans start at an unspecified price. 6. TotalAV: Reliable across multiple platforms with ad and browser protection; starting price around to . 7. Aura Antivirus: Focuses on identity security with credit monitoring; individual plan around .99/year. 8. Surfshark Antivirus: Bundled with VPN and privacy tools; approximately .49/month on a 27-month plan. 9. MacKeeper: Tailored for macOS with optimization tools; starting price around .95 to .95 per month. 10. AVG: Lightweight with high performance; free tier available; AVG Internet Security priced around .99 for the first year. Built-in functions can help remove malware without antivirus software.

Tech Optimizer

November 24, 2025

Ditching Antivirus: Why One Tech Writer’s PC Got Safer Without It

A writer from MakeUseOf uninstalled all third-party antivirus programs from his Windows PC and found that the system performed better and appeared more secure with Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender. The experiment highlighted Defender's effectiveness, showing fewer false positives, improved performance, and no noticeable decline in protection. Independent tests ranked Defender highly in real-world protection, and it achieved perfect scores in recent AV-TEST evaluations. The removal of third-party antivirus software led to a significant decrease in CPU and RAM usage, with idle consumption dropping from 15-20% to under 5%. Despite 121 million Americans still using third-party tools, there is growing consideration for Defender due to its free and efficient nature. While Defender excels in many areas, experts caution that it may not fully protect against zero-day vulnerabilities, and layered defenses are still recommended. The antivirus market may face disruption as integrated protection becomes more common, and user feedback indicates a preference for free alternatives that match or exceed the performance of paid solutions.