Performance Improvements Archives

Winsage

June 29, 2025

Don’t be fooled: Microsoft’s claim that Windows 11 PCs are 2.3x faster than Windows 10 ones is based on hardware, not software

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, highlighting that Windows 11 PCs can be up to 2.3 times faster than Windows 10 PCs. This claim is based on testing with Geekbench 6 Multi-Core benchmarks, comparing older Windows 10 PCs with older Intel Core processors to newer Windows 11 systems with the latest Intel Core generations. The performance boost is primarily attributed to advancements in hardware rather than the operating system itself. Microsoft notes that performance will vary significantly by device and other factors.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds is getting more PC improvements, but they don’t seem to address the CPU issues tanking the game’s performance

Capcom is preparing a significant update for Monster Hunter Wilds to address performance issues, including adjustments to VRAM usage and corrections in the Graphics settings. The patch notes indicate enhancements such as the return of monsters and new equipment, but players remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these changes. Since the game's launch in February, many players have reported persistent crashes and texture problems, leading to a negative reception reflected in recent reviews on Steam, where only 14% of feedback in the past month has been positive. Despite these challenges, earlier titles in the Monster Hunter franchise have seen a resurgence in sales over the past year.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Tested: Is reinstalling Windows to boost performance a modern PC myth?

Will Smith's investigation found that a fresh installation of Windows 11 is not essential for optimal performance. He compared his customized setup with a clean installation and observed almost no performance difference, with only a 3 percent difference in single-core tasks and slight variations in multi-threaded applications. In some cases, the older setup performed better, such as Adobe Premiere running 8 percent faster. Gaming performance showed mixed results, with slight advantages for the older setup in certain scenarios, although some games did perform better on a fresh installation. Overall, unless a computer has excessive startup programs and unwanted software, a Windows refresh may not provide significant performance improvements as it once did.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Nothing’s bare-bones gallery app scores a major upgrade as Phone 3 launch draws closer

The Nothing Gallery app has received a substantial update that enhances user experience with new editing tools for images and videos. Key features include six cropping and rotation tools, a color grading feature with twelve tuning parameters, and ten adjustable filters. A basic video editor has also been introduced, allowing users to trim clips, adjust audio volume, and modify slow-motion speeds. The update includes performance improvements, with transitions from the camera to the gallery being over 20% faster and image processing speeds improved by up to 25%. AI-powered photo categorization has been integrated for a more cohesive visual interface. The update will be available via the Google Play Store for eligible devices by tomorrow.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

FBC: Firebreak patch aims to improve the game’s early hours, which ‘do not provide a good experience,’ Remedy admits

Remedy has acknowledged that FBC: Firebreak did not meet expectations but believes many issues are fixable. A recent patch introduces balance changes to improve gameplay, including making Lost Assets easier to locate and allowing new players to start at Clearance Level 3 for the introductory job, Hot Fix. The patch also includes significant overhauls to core systems, enhancing progression and rewards, with recalibrated unlockable costs and streamlined gear progression. New players can now begin at Clearance Level 3 for the first Job, and must complete a full three-zone run at CL3 to unlock subsequent Jobs. The Operational Requisition has been divided into two categories: Essentials and Expressions, allowing players to access essential gear without unlocking unrelated items. Balancing changes include reduced construction times for certain items, increased health for enemies, and improved accessibility for the Stapler Corrupted Item. Audio issues have been addressed, including missing sound effects and music transition problems. User interface corrections include XP level indicators and crash issues in the Loadout menu. Gameplay improvements involve enhanced haptic feedback and visibility for Lost Assets. Visual enhancements include performance improvements and updates to environmental elements.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Windows 10 is dying as scams skyrocket. We asked a security expert for advice

In this week's episode of The Full Nerd, hosts Adam Patrick Murray, Alaina Yee, Will Smith, and guest Mike Danseglio discuss the end of Windows 10 and its security implications, the rise of scams, and various online security concerns. They explore user transitions to Windows 11, Linux, and vulnerabilities in communication methods. A recent vulnerability allows hackers to steal encryption keys from AMD Ryzen CPUs, prompting firmware updates for users of the Ryzen 3000 series or newer. Asus Armoury Crate users are advised to update due to a critical flaw that could grant hackers administrative rights. Cloud gaming is gaining traction among gamers under 40, provided latency issues are resolved. DDR4 memory prices are rising, indicating a decline of AMD’s AM4 platform. Anker has recalled older power banks due to fire hazards, and Framework has launched a new 2-in-1 DIY laptop. AMD has shared promising benchmarks for its upcoming Ryzen Threadripper 9000 series.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft readies new Windows 11 feature drop for next month — here’s what’s coming, and when

Microsoft is set to release a new update for Windows 11 on July 8, coinciding with Patch Tuesday updates. Key enhancements include: - Taskbar improvements with dynamically resizing icons and a wider indicator pill for open applications. - A visual preview feature for sharing links and web content, along with adjustable image compression levels. - A new PC-to-PC migration experience for transferring files and settings during new device setup. - Performance enhancements in File Explorer for extracting archive files. - The Screen Curtain feature in Narrator for enhanced privacy by blacking out the screen while content is read aloud. - An improved Narrator experience with guided prompts for discovering features. - Voice access now supports navigation and dictation in Simplified and Traditional Chinese and allows adding custom words to the dictionary. - Tailored enterprise-focused settings for IT-managed PCs. - Region settings will display the selected country or region during device setup. These features are currently in testing through the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, with general availability expected on July 8. Users who opt for early updates may experience some features as a non-security preview update in late June.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Google Unveils Gemini Nano for On-Device AI in Android Apps

Google has updated the Gemini Nano APIs through the ML Kit, introducing new GenAI APIs that allow developers to perform on-device inference for generative AI capabilities in Android applications. These APIs enhance user privacy by executing all operations locally, eliminating cloud processing costs. Features include summarization of articles up to 3,000 words, proofreading for grammatical accuracy, rewriting text in various tones, and generating image descriptions. The GenAI APIs are optimized for Android devices using MediaTek Dimensity, Qualcomm Snapdragon, and Google Tensor platforms, including the Pixel 9 series and Samsung Galaxy S25. They operate without internet connectivity, ensuring rapid response times and improved performance for tasks like summarization and proofreading. The local processing also enhances privacy and security, protecting sensitive user information with safety protocols.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Elden Ring’s first major patch sees FromSoft belatedly admit singleplayer is all sorts of unfair, adds an auto-resurrect and buffs the levelling curve

Elden Ring Nightreign presents significant challenges, particularly in single-player mode, which players have found to be especially difficult. A new patch has been released to improve the solo experience and enhance performance for the Steam version. All players must install this patch to play online. Despite the adjustments, many still find survival in the game daunting, and some players have successfully completed it solo before the patch. There is a sentiment among players for the introduction of an easy mode in the game.

Tech Optimizer

June 1, 2025

Supercharging vector search performance and relevance with pgvector 0.8.0 on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition has integrated support for pgvector 0.8.0, enhancing vector search capabilities significantly. This version achieves up to 9x faster query processing and delivers 100x more relevant search results compared to previous iterations. Key improvements in pgvector 0.8.0 include: - Up to 5.7x improvement in query performance for specific patterns. - Introduction of the iterative_scan feature, enhancing recall for filter queries requiring approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) index searches. - Improved cost estimation for more efficient query planning, allowing the selection of traditional indexes for complex filtered searches. - Flexible performance tuning with two modes for iterative_scan: relaxed_order and strict_order. Previous versions faced challenges with overfiltering, where combining vector similarity search with traditional SQL filters resulted in fewer results than expected. The HNSW indexing algorithm accelerates vector similarity searches by creating a multi-layered graph structure for efficient navigation. Iterative index scans in pgvector 0.8.0 improve query reliability and performance by applying filters during the scanning process, reducing false negatives and enhancing performance. The configuration options for iterative scanning include off, strict_order, and relaxed_order, with relaxed_order providing the best balance between performance and accuracy. In performance tests, pgvector 0.8.0 demonstrated substantial improvements across various query patterns, with significant enhancements in result completeness and recall. The database can now efficiently handle enterprise-scale applications, such as e-commerce and recommendation systems, with high performance and result quality even as product catalogs expand. Best practices for deploying pgvector 0.8.0 include using HNSW with recommended parameters, creating additional indexes on commonly filtered metadata columns, and tuning query parameters based on specific use cases. Operational best practices involve using Graviton4-based instances for optimal performance, monitoring and tuning slow vector queries, and considering partitioning for very large tables.