performance metrics Archives

Tech Optimizer

August 21, 2025

The Best Antivirus for Gaming PCs in 2025: 6 Top Picks Compared

McAfee has enhanced its offerings for gaming PCs, providing robust real-time protection and firewall capabilities that block threats without affecting performance. The Gamer Security version is now integrated within McAfee+ tiers and prioritizes CPU resources during gaming sessions. However, it uses more system resources compared to alternatives like Malwarebytes and Panda Dome, and some features, such as VPN and identity monitoring, are only available in higher-tier plans. The McAfee plans include: - McAfee Free Tools: Limited tools like web protection and password manager trials (Free) - McAfee+ Premium Individual: Real-time protection, VPN, password manager (.99 first year) - McAfee+ Advanced Individual: Adds identity monitoring and personal data cleanup (.99 first year) - McAfee+ Unlimited Individual: Adds identity theft coverage and security freeze tools (.99 first year) Key considerations for antivirus software for gaming PCs include performance impact, robust threat detection, dedicated gaming mode, resource usage, false positives, user interface, cross-device security, and customer support. Gaming PCs are susceptible to malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks, making reliable antivirus solutions essential. Panda Dome is highlighted as a suitable option for gamers, offering real-time protection, a dedicated gaming mode, and minimal resource usage. Free antivirus options can be used while gaming but may lack advanced features. It is not advisable to disable antivirus software during gaming, and running antivirus can slightly reduce FPS. Gaming mode enhances the gaming experience by pausing background scans and notifications. The best antivirus for gaming should have real-time protection, low resource usage, a gaming mode, robust threat detection, ransomware protection, a VPN, and password managers. Some antivirus software may block online game servers, but most have an allowlist function. Streamers should also use antivirus software while live to protect against additional risks. Antivirus programs can detect cheat software or malicious mods, especially if they contain malware.

Tech Optimizer

August 21, 2025

pgEdge Announces Release of pgEdge Platform v25

pgEdge Platform v25 has been launched, enhancing distributed Postgres capabilities. Key features include true zero downtime for node addition and PostgreSQL upgrades, expanded automatic conflict resolution, improved performance with better exception handling and lag monitoring, an interactive installation process, integration of pgBackrest for backup and restore strategies, and enhancements to the Active Consistency Engine (ACE) for data consistency across nodes. The platform is open-source and based on standard PostgreSQL, aimed at providing reliable database solutions for enterprises. It is now available for free download.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Battlefield 6 will NOT run unless Secure Boot is enabled in your BIOS

The Open Beta for Battlefield 6 has begun, requiring players to enable Secure Boot in their BIOS to launch the game. This is the first game to mandate Secure Boot for operation, which may surprise some players. Despite using UEFI, Secure Boot was initially disabled on one user's system, leading to confusion. After troubleshooting, including disabling CSM in the BIOS, the user successfully enabled Secure Boot and launched the game. Battlefield 6 will support AMD FSR 3, Intel XeSS 2.0, and NVIDIA DLSS 4, although the availability of FSR 3.1 and toggles for FSR 4.0 remains uncertain. Users with an RTX-50 series graphics card can utilize DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

Battlefield 6 has fragmented install feature that allows you to slim a full 80GB installation down to 55GB on PC — feature enables installing campaign and multiplayer separately

Battlefield 6 will feature fragmented downloads, allowing players to install only the components they choose, with a base installation size of 55 GB and a total install size of approximately 80 GB if campaign and multiplayer modes are added. The game will utilize DirectX 12 shaders for enhanced graphics and include a "cosmetic stream" feature for pre-loading cosmetic items, potentially improving performance to over 300 FPS. The release date is set for October 6, 2025, with an open beta scheduled for later this week.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

Cyberpunk 2077 Mac benchmarks show most Apple Silicon can run the game at over 30 FPS on medium settings — results vary from a smooth 130+ FPS to a cinematic 24 FPS

Cyberpunk 2077 has launched on macOS after over four years since its initial release on PCs and consoles, coinciding with patch 2.3. ComputerBase has initiated a community benchmarking effort to evaluate the game's performance on various Mac and MacBook models, following previous benchmarks in 2022. Participants are to test three presets (Medium, Ultra, Ray Tracing Medium) at resolutions of 1920 x 1200 and 2560 x 1600, with specific settings outlined for the benchmarks. The game is compatible with Apple M chips but is unsupported on iPadOS devices, even those with 16GB of memory. There is hope that CD Projekt Red and Apple may reconsider this limitation in the future.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Battlefield 6’s PC specs don’t look too lofty despite all the booms, and Steam players won’t need the pesky EA App

Minimum hardware requirements for Battlefield 6 include: - Processor: Intel Core i5-7600K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 - RAM: 16GB - Storage: 55GB on a hard drive or SSD - Operating System: Windows 10 - Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6GB Recommended hardware specifications are: - Processor: Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X - RAM: 16GB - Storage: 80GB - Operating System: Windows 11 - Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 3060Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700-XT Access details include that Steam users do not need the EA app to play, but an EA account is required. Players purchasing through the Epic Games Store need both the EA app and an EA account. Prior experience with the Battlefield series is not necessary to enjoy Battlefield 6.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Grounded 2 is off to a flying start on PC on Steam alone — already surpassing the first game’s peak stats after just a few days

Grounded 2 launched into early access on July 29 and has quickly surpassed its predecessor in player engagement on Steam, achieving a peak of 49,836 concurrent players compared to the original's 32,012. Xbox's VP of Game Marketing, Aaron Greenberg, noted that the game topped the Steam charts just three days post-launch. Early feedback has been positive, and developers at Obsidian are planning future updates that will include new weapons, armor, bosses, equipment, and enhanced gameplay mechanics. One goal is to achieve Steam Deck verification in the upcoming Winter Update. Grounded 2 is also available on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC, though specific player numbers for these platforms are not disclosed.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

The newest Windows 11 Beta and Dev builds make searching for images a lot easier

Microsoft has introduced a grid view feature in the Windows 11 Beta and Dev branches that enhances the image search experience by displaying thumbnails of search results, making it easier for users to identify and locate desired images. Other updates include configuration options for lock screen widgets, expanded notification center functionality for secondary monitors, and a fix for CPU reporting in Task Manager.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Is One of the Best-Looking PC Games, but Patch 1.4 Breaks Resolution Scaling

The gaming community has had mixed reactions to the release of Fallen Feathers, with some players criticizing the game's performance and graphics, while others praise its visual quality. WUCHANG is noted for its impressive graphics, achieving stunning visuals at 4K/Extreme settings on high-end PCs, particularly with DLSS 4 Balanced Mode. The NVIDIA RTX 4090 yields a minimum of 36 FPS and an average of 41 FPS when running WUCHANG, similar to its performance with Black Myth: Wukong. A recent Patch 1.4 aimed to improve performance but introduced issues, such as low resolution defaults and problems with the Frame Generation feature. Suggestions for improvement include refining graphics settings and potentially transitioning to Unreal Engine 5.6.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Xbox Game Pass RPG Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Is Off To An Incredible Start On PC

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has launched on Xbox Game Pass and has seen over 120,000 concurrent players on Steam shortly after its release. The game has received over 7,000 reviews on Steam, resulting in a 'Mostly Negative' rating due to performance issues reported by players. There is optimism that the console version will perform better and that Xbox Game Pass will help expand the game's audience.