performance enhancements Archives

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Is Windows 11 Finally Better Than Windows 10 For Gaming?

Windows 11 has introduced several gaming-focused enhancements that are not present in Windows 10, including: - DirectStorage: Optimized for Windows 11, this technology allows games to load data directly from an NVMe SSD to the GPU, reducing load times. - Auto HDR: Enhances older games by automatically applying high dynamic range lighting effects for users with HDR-capable monitors. - Improved Scheduling for Hybrid CPUs: Offers better task scheduling for Intel's 12th or 13th generation CPUs, resulting in smoother frame rates during CPU-intensive gaming sessions. Benchmark tests show minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, with slight FPS improvements in some titles on Windows 11, especially when using advanced hardware and DirectStorage. As of March 2025, over 55% of Windows users on Steam have transitioned to Windows 11, indicating growing confidence in the operating system among gamers. Windows 11 has addressed many early bugs and driver issues, providing robust stability on compatible systems. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for TPM 2.0 and UEFI secure boot. Windows 10 remains supported until October 2025, making it a viable option for users with older hardware. Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a centered Start Menu and Taskbar, rounded corners, and expanded personalization options. It also simplifies the update process with annual feature updates and smaller, faster security updates. Windows 11 enhances integration with Microsoft services, supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, and introduces productivity tools like Snap Layouts and improved Task View. Security improvements include mandatory TPM 2.0, enhanced Windows Defender, and a redesigned privacy dashboard for better user control over app permissions. Despite its advancements, Windows 11 has limitations such as ongoing stability issues, driver compatibility concerns, and a simplified taskbar that lacks certain functionalities from Windows 10. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered launch times and release date

The PC port of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is set to launch shortly after its release on PlayStation 5. The remastered edition includes improved graphics, performance enhancements, and new gameplay modes, notably the No Return mode, which features permanent death and randomized combat scenarios. The unlock times for the game are as follows: Los Angeles at 10 am PST, New York at 1 pm EDT, Brasilia at 2 pm BRT, London at 5 pm BST, Berlin at 6 pm CET, Cairo at 7 pm EET, New Delhi at 10:30 pm IST, Jakarta at 12 am WIB, Tokyo at 2 am JST, Sydney at 4 am AEDT, and Auckland at 6 am NZDT on April 3-4. Preloading is available on Steam, with a download size of approximately 100 GB.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

This simple upgrade is making old computers feel new again

Many users experience issues with sluggish laptops and frozen screens, prompting a reconsideration of their devices. Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, making it a good time to upgrade to Windows 11, specifically the Pro version, which is currently priced at .97, down from .99. Windows 11 Pro offers faster startup times, enhanced battery life, improved application performance, a redesigned user interface, productivity features like snap layouts and widgets, and an AI-powered assistant called Copilot. The Pro version also includes remote desktop access, BitLocker device encryption for security, and advanced features like Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. There are fewer than 75 licenses remaining at the promotional price.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows 11 Pro is just $15 for life – and it could level up your gaming setup (Reg. up to $199)

A lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is available for .97. Windows 11 Pro offers features like Auto HDR, DirectStorage technology, and Windows Copilot, which enhance gaming performance and experience. It includes security features such as BitLocker encryption and supports multiple monitors and high-refresh-rate displays. The offer is valid until April 27.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Microsoft: New Windows scheduled task will launch Office apps faster

Microsoft is launching a feature called "Startup Boost" for its Office applications, scheduled for rollout in mid-May. This feature aims to improve loading times by introducing a background task that activates upon user logon, integrated into the Windows Task Scheduler. Users will see new tasks labeled Office Startup Boost and Office Startup Boost Logon in their task scheduler. The feature requires a minimum of 8 GB of RAM and 5 GB of free disk space and will deactivate when Energy Saver mode is activated. Users can disable Startup Boost through the Office app settings, but it will reactivate with each new Office update. Additionally, Microsoft is testing ad-supported versions of its Office desktop applications.

Tech Optimizer

March 27, 2025

PostgreSQL Database Lands Initial Support For IO_uring: “Can Be Considerably Faster”

Initial support for IO_uring has been merged into the PostgreSQL Git repository as of March 26, enhancing asynchronous I/O capabilities. This feature is part of the upcoming PostgreSQL 18 release. To use it, developers must compile PostgreSQL with the --with-liburing option and set the I/O method to io_method=io_uring in the configuration. Recent commits included adding the liburing build dependency and integrating the io_method=io_uring option. Using IO_uring can significantly improve performance, especially for small I/O operations, due to reduced context-switch overhead and limitations of worker-based AIO. IO_uring is Linux-specific and requires the liburing library. Further performance optimizations are anticipated before the PostgreSQL 18.0 release in September.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

Windows 11’s File Explorer will soon unzip files faster

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Preview Build 27818 to Insiders on the Canary Channel, optimizing the extraction process for zipped files in File Explorer. The update improves performance when unzipping large archives with many small files. Additionally, the update removes the "suggested actions" feature for clipboard items, which was related to Skype, as Microsoft plans to retire Skype on May 5.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Microsoft’s DirectX update could double ray tracing performance in PC games

DirectX Raytracing 1.2 is a rendering API developed by Microsoft that aims to improve ray tracing efficiency in gaming. It introduces enhancements such as opacity micromaps, which can increase performance by up to 2.3 times in path-based gaming, and shader execution reordering, which could double performance in certain scenarios. Nvidia has committed to providing driver support for this API across its GeForce RTX GPU lineup, and Microsoft is also working with AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm for compatibility. Additionally, techniques like neural block texture compression and neural supersampling are being explored to enhance real-time path tracing. A preview software development kit for DirectX Raytracing 1.2 is set to be released in April.

Winsage

March 20, 2025

Windows 11’s Hidden FAQ Could Tell You Why Your PC Is So Slow

Microsoft is testing a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) feature in Windows 11 that aims to analyze system specifications and provide tailored advice on performance issues. This feature is located within the System tab of Settings and addresses common queries related to device specifications and performance. Examples of questions include the sufficiency of a GPU for high-end gaming and the impact of RAM on PC performance. The FAQ section aims to offer personalized information based on each user's specific system, making it a more accessible resource compared to the current basic list of system specs. However, the responses are currently somewhat generic, and Microsoft must ensure accuracy to avoid misleading users regarding potential performance improvements from upgrades.

Tech Optimizer

March 19, 2025

7 Reasons PostgreSQL is a Great Choice for AI Projects

PostgreSQL, or Postgres, is increasingly recognized as a leading choice for AI projects due to its strong integration capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. It supports vector similarity search essential for AI tasks through extensions like pgvector, which simplifies storage and querying of vectors. The latest pgvector version 0.8.0 introduced enhancements such as iterative index scans and improved cost estimation. PostgreSQL optimizes query performance with various index types, including B-tree, Hash, BRIN, GiST, and SP-GiST indexes, and allows for custom index creation. It also features native JSON and NoSQL capabilities, enabling efficient handling of semi-structured data. Parallel processing and query execution are supported, allowing faster data processing on multi-core machines. Scalable and distributed computing options are available, including Multi-Master Asynchronous Replication and Multi-Master Sharded PostgreSQL, catering to the growing demand for AI applications. PostgreSQL ensures AI data security and compliance through Access Control Lists, Row Level Security, and Transparent Data Encryption. Its open-source nature allows for flexibility and integration with AI frameworks, making it a cost-effective alternative to proprietary databases. PostgreSQL was recognized as the Most Popular Database in the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, reflecting its strong adoption and evolving capabilities in AI projects.