performance metrics Archives

Tech Optimizer

January 12, 2026

Percona launches fixed-scope packages for open databases

Percona has launched Percona Packages, a suite of consulting and support services for database and IT teams using open-source systems. The initial offerings include: 1. **Quickstart**: Prepares database environments for high-demand periods with proactive optimization, a health check, and three months of expert support. 2. **Performance Optimization**: Identifies and resolves database performance issues, including slow queries and configuration problems, through hands-on tuning and best-practice guidance. 3. **AI Readiness**: Tailored for PostgreSQL, this package optimizes databases for AI workloads, featuring performance metrics analysis and benchmarks. These packages aim to address the skills shortage in data engineering and management, supporting various open-source database technologies like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, and Valkey. The services are designed to help organizations prepare for peak usage and improve ongoing performance, allowing them to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Everwind devs are testing their ambitious Minecraft-like RPG on Steam Deck as it “makes sense for everyone to be this available”

Everwind is set to launch in late 2026 as an alternative to Minecraft and alongside Hytale. Players will explore floating islands and navigate the skies in airships. The development team is testing the game on Valve’s Steam Deck and other handheld devices, with early builds showing promising performance. They aim to support both handhelds and desktops, emphasizing the importance of PC handhelds in gaming. The team is also testing on the MSI Claw. The Steam Deck is becoming a benchmark for performance standards in the industry, with developers recognizing the benefits of optimizing for it.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Intel: Stutters in PC Games are “Breaking Immersion”

Google's "Project Butter," introduced with Android 4.1, aimed to improve scrolling smoothness on 60Hz smartphone displays. Intel announced the Precompiled Shader Distribution to enhance gaming performance by downloading shaders directly to PCs via Arc Control software, debuting with Panther Lake review driver downloads and initially supporting select DirectX 12 titles on Steam. Intel will update offline shaders alongside game patches and driver updates, with a focus on optimal performance. Petersen expressed support for Microsoft's efforts in precompiled shaders for Windows gaming. Intel Arc employs machine learning for its XeSS image upscaler and Xe Frame Generation system, with plans to address frame-pacing issues using AI. Petersen discussed the need to distinguish between frame generation and rasterization, emphasizing that visual improvements should be viewed separately from performance metrics like frames per second.

AppWizard

January 1, 2026

Strava used to be my favorite running app, but now I can’t stand it

The author canceled their Strava subscription due to dissatisfaction with the platform's shift towards a premium model that restricts access to personal data and features. Upon canceling, they lost access to their workout history, personal bests, and the Year in Sport recap, which are now only available to paying users. The mapping features, including the Night Heatmap and custom route creation, are also limited for non-subscribers, raising concerns about safety. The author has shifted their focus from performance metrics to social interactions on the platform, finding enjoyment in connecting with friends rather than tracking training goals.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Windows Registry Tweak Unlocks 80% SSD Speed Boost on Consumer PCs

A modification in the Windows Registry can enable a native NVMe driver, potentially doubling the performance of solid-state drives (SSDs) by enhancing random read and write speeds by up to 80%. This driver is typically reserved for enterprise environments and is not officially available for consumer versions of Windows 11. The modification carries risks, including the possibility of rendering a system unbootable and disrupting features like BitLocker encryption. Early adopters have reported mixed results, with some experiencing significant performance improvements while others face stability issues. The tweak highlights the disparity between consumer and enterprise hardware capabilities and reflects ongoing discussions within the tech community about optimizing SSD performance.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

Why Modern PC Games Are CPU-Bound Again

Modern PC gaming faces a challenge where gamers experience underutilized GPUs at around 60% capacity, leading to faltering frame rates despite investing in high-end graphics cards. This issue arises not from CPU inadequacy but from gaming demands evolving faster than how games utilize CPU power. Players upgrading to more powerful GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XT report minimal frame rate improvements, particularly at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, with CPU cores being pushed to their limits while GPU usage declines. This trend is evident across various game genres, and even DirectX 12, which offers improved multithreading, struggles to scale effectively beyond six to eight cores. Developers recognize these CPU limitations but find it challenging to address them. Modern games simulate numerous elements continuously, rely on real-time asset streaming, and face difficulties in distributing workloads effectively across CPU cores. Additionally, console hardware influences game design, often leading to CPU-bound scenarios on high-end PCs. Performance varies between Intel and AMD CPUs depending on game design, with some games demonstrating effective CPU scaling while others do not. CPU bottlenecks are expected to persist as GPU advancements outpace CPU improvements, emphasizing the need for gamers to consider CPU capabilities alongside GPU upgrades.

Winsage

December 31, 2025

Unexpected Surprise: Windows 11 Outperforming Linux On An Intel Arrow Lake H Laptop

Recent benchmarks on the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 8 show that Microsoft Windows 11 outperformed Ubuntu Linux in several demanding workloads, including multi-threaded tasks and CPU-based rendering applications like Blender and V-RAY. The device features an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor with 16 cores and was tested with 64GB of LPDDR5-7467 memory and NVIDIA RTX Pro 1000 graphics. The performance metrics were consistent with expectations for the hardware, and the benchmarks used official binaries for both operating systems. Lenovo and Intel are investigating the results further, and the findings may indicate a broader trend in operating system performance. The original benchmarks were conducted using Windows 11 Pro and Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

How to Properly Benchmark your PC Games Using CapFrameX

Average Frames Per Second (FPS) is a common metric in PC gaming performance, but consistency in gameplay experience is equally important, highlighted by metrics such as 1% low and 0.1% low average FPS. CapFrameX is a tool used for capturing and analyzing detailed performance data, including frametimes, which provide a more accurate assessment of gaming performance than basic FPS counters. Key metrics generated by CapFrameX include: - Average FPS: Overall framerate averaged across the capture session. - 1% low average FPS: Average of the worst 1% of framerates, indicating sustained performance. - 0.1% low average FPS: Average of the worst 0.1% of framerates, highlighting rare but significant performance dips. To ensure accurate benchmarking results with CapFrameX, users should update their UEFI BIOS, operating system, and drivers, clear unnecessary applications, configure power settings for maximum performance, monitor temperatures, and conduct multiple benchmark runs under consistent conditions. The setup process for CapFrameX includes downloading the software, configuring capture options, and verifying the setup through test captures. After capturing benchmark runs, users can analyze the data using the Analysis and Comparison tabs in CapFrameX to evaluate performance metrics and identify potential issues. Common pitfalls in benchmarking include inconsistent scenes, overlooking frametime variance, and not preparing the system properly.

Tech Optimizer

December 27, 2025

Best Virus Protection for PC (2026): Webroot Rated Top Choice for Fast Threat Detection by Software Experts

Webroot has been identified as the leading platform for rapid threat detection and lightweight PC security, according to a recent analysis by Software Experts. The evaluation highlighted Webroot's cloud-based threat intelligence, efficient scanning, and low system resource usage, making it suitable for home and small office users concerned about malware, phishing, and system slowdowns. Webroot's detection system can classify files within seconds, even during multitasking, and it effectively addresses behavior-based attacks through monitoring tools and rollback features. The platform's advantages include minimal local footprint, continuous monitoring without large updates, and robust firewall and network safeguards. Users expect virus protection tools to function quietly with minimal maintenance, and Webroot's compact installer and rapid setup cater to this need. The study also noted a shift towards cloud-based cybersecurity solutions, with Webroot's cloud network facilitating faster identification and categorization of threats. Key features of Webroot's protection include real-time scanning, behavioral monitoring, rollback tools, anti-phishing functions, browser shields, and network filtering, all designed to operate with minimal user intervention.

Winsage

December 26, 2025

SSDs on some Windows machines with BitLocker enabled are about twice as fast thanks to BitLocker hardware acceleration.

Windows 11 Pro has introduced a hardware-accelerated version of BitLocker, enhancing storage encryption without compromising performance. This update allows compatible devices to maintain storage read and write speeds similar to when BitLocker is disabled. The hardware-accelerated BitLocker utilizes the encryption processor in the System on Chip (SoC) to streamline encryption and decryption processes. It is available on devices with a supported built-in encryption processor and uses the XTS-AES-256 encryption algorithm. Users can check if hardware BitLocker is enabled by executing the command manage-bde -status in the command prompt. Performance metrics indicate that CPU cycles during storage access remain consistent with machines that have BitLocker disabled, and benchmarks show that hardware BitLocker can double sequential read and random write speeds. The integration of the XTS-AES-256 encryption processor into Intel's upcoming third-generation Core Ultra processor, Panther Lake, suggests future advancements for hardware-accelerated BitLocker.