performance testing Archives

AppWizard

May 11, 2025

I just tested Doom: The Dark Ages on an RTX 5090 PC — and I’m still in shock

Doom: The Dark Ages was tested on an Alienware Area-51 gaming PC with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, achieving 155 frames per second at Ultra Nightmare settings and 4K resolution without DLSS. With DLSS 4 x4 activated, the frame rate increased to 344 fps. The Alienware setup included an Intel Ultra Core 9 285K CPU, 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. Testing with other RTX 50 series cards showed the RTX 5060 Ti reached 153 fps at 4K with DLSS 4, while the RTX 5070 Ti achieved 185 fps with DLSS 4. Performance results for various RTX 50 cards at different settings were provided, highlighting their capabilities.

Tech Optimizer

April 17, 2025

Bitdefender Antivirus review

Bitdefender Total Security offers comprehensive antivirus protection, a VPN with a daily limit of 200 MB, and specific protections for cryptocurrency mining. The software includes multi-layered antivirus protection, real-time Advanced Threat Detection, Ransomware Remediation, a firewall, and an anti-spam feature. Performance testing shows minimal impact on speed, with quick scans completing in minutes and full scans taking about 30 minutes. Additional features include a secure browser for financial transactions, a virtual keyboard, a trial password manager, webcam and microphone privacy controls, and PC optimization tools. The user interface is designed for ease of use, with a customizable dashboard and intuitive navigation. Support options include phone, chat, and email, with quick transitions to live agents. Bitdefender typically retails at .99 annually, with competitors offering lower introductory prices.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

I played 5 games on an RTX 5070 vs RTX 5070 Ti gaming PC — is it worth paying extra

Both the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti GPUs are being tested across five demanding PC games to evaluate their performance. The RTX 5070 is priced at £529, while the RTX 5070 Ti is priced at £729. In Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 5070 achieved 17 FPS and the RTX 5070 Ti achieved 25 FPS at 4K Ultra settings without DLSS. With DLSS 4 enabled, both GPUs exceeded 100 FPS. In Forza Horizon 5, both GPUs showed similar 1% low performance. In Call of Duty Black Ops 6, the RTX 5070 showed limitations compared to the RTX 5070 Ti. Black Myth: Wukong revealed a noticeable performance gap between the two GPUs, while both performed well in Alan Wake II. The RTX 5070 Ti is recommended for multiplayer gaming, while the RTX 5070 may suffice for single-player experiences. Both GPUs offer enhanced performance for users with older hardware.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Atelier Yumia runs better than the previous Atelier games, but has ridiculously high CPU requirements

KOEI Tecmo has released Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land, following the mixed reception of its predecessor, Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout. GUST Studios has made improvements in performance, resolving framepacing issues and enhancing mouse camera movement. The game supports various graphics settings and uncapped framerates but lacks NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR, using Intel XeSS instead. Performance testing on a high-end setup showed over 140FPS at Native 4K/Ultra Settings, but the game is CPU-bound, requiring modern CPUs with 10-14 cores/threads for optimal performance. Locking the framerate to 60FPS provided stability but still needed 10-12 cores/threads. Visually, the game resembles PS3-era graphics, and while it has improved from previous titles, its demanding hardware requirements indicate room for further optimization.

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2025

What’s in Store for pg_probackup 3

Pg_probackup is a backup solution for PostgreSQL that debuted in 2016 and has evolved significantly, with the latest version being 2.5.15 available on GitHub and version 2.8.6 included in the Postgres Pro product suite. It supports 14 platforms and offers three types of incremental backups, features like merging backups, quick replica restoration, and integration with S3 and CFS. Users can access community support via a dedicated Telegram chat. The versions of Pg_probackup include: - 2.5.15 Community: Open-source, available on GitHub with critical bug fixes. - 2.8.6 STD: Closed-source, optimized for large datasets, included with Postgres Pro Standard. - 2.8.6 ENT: Closed-source, similar to STD but adds CFS and S3 support. - 3 and above: Closed-source overhaul aimed at improved speed and efficiency. Pg_probackup 3 was developed to address client requests and internal ideas, leading to a modular architecture with three components: a DB core extension, LibProbackup3 (a core library for database connection), and the backup application itself. Libprobackup3 is written in C++, providing a C interface for integration with various programming languages and managing archival file streams and backup logic. Pg_probackup 3 introduces a custom communication protocol for optimized data handling and supports multiple backup modes: FULL, DELTA, PTRACK, and PAGE. The recovery feature includes FUSE capability for direct data restoration from backups without full unpacking, enhancing recovery options for selective restoration of databases and WAL files. Performance testing showed that while version 2.8.6 excelled in single-threaded scenarios, pg_probackup 3.0.0 outperformed it in multi-threaded environments, especially in PRO mode for PTRACK incrementals. The roadmap for pg_probackup 3 includes releasing the current version, preparing an open-source variant, optimizing multi-threading, and implementing additional features in pg_probackup 3.1.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

GTA 5 Enhanced performance analysis: Forget max settings, my advice is to enable Very High RT and enjoy the show

GTA 5's Enhanced PC version was launched on March 4, featuring modern graphical enhancements such as ray-traced shadows and reflections, upgraded ambient occlusion, global illumination, and support for DLSS 3 and FSR 3 upscaling. Performance testing was conducted using the RTX 4070 and RX 7800 XT graphics cards. With ray tracing enabled, performance dropped below 30 fps, while setting it to Very High without ray tracing resulted in frame rates between 40 to 70 fps. The RTX 4070 averaged 100-110 fps at Maximum RT, but switching to Very High RT provided a 35 fps improvement. The RX 7800 XT eliminated sub-60 fps drops with this adjustment. Performance testing revealed frame drops in certain areas, such as Franklin's backyard, likely due to dense vegetation. Very High RT settings offered a smoother experience and slightly better image quality than Maximum settings.

Winsage

March 6, 2025

I get to play with the world’s most powerful gaming tablet, and it’s totally awesome

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025) is a 2-in-1 convertible device designed for gaming and creative tasks, featuring a Windows-powered tablet with a large touch-enabled display, an adjustable kickstand, and a keyboard that doubles as a protective cover. It includes the Ryzen AI MAX platform, which integrates a powerful CPU, NPU, and advanced integrated GPU, allowing for exceptional performance without additional components. The device starts at ,099.99, with configurations and pricing that can be complex, but broader availability is expected. The unboxing experience is premium, featuring a sleek design and a substantial 200W charger. The tablet has a 13.4-inch display, a solid kickstand, and a responsive keyboard cover. It is equipped with a Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 CPU, a Radeon 8060S GPU, 1TB of PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD storage, and can be configured with up to 128GB of RAM. Battery life is decent, with a 70Whr battery allowing several hours of use, even while gaming. The ROG Flow Z13 caters to a niche audience seeking innovative hardware in a portable form factor, though potential buyers may find traditional gaming laptops offer better value.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Avowed PC Technical Report – Solid Work from Obsidian: 4K@200FPS with DLAA and Max Settings

Avowed is set for release on February 18, with early access available for Premium Edition owners. The game is developed using Unreal Engine 5 and is noted for its smooth performance, impressive expansive zones, and commendable visual fidelity. It features ray-traced reflections, particularly on water, and minimal stuttering issues when a frame rate cap is applied. Obsidian has implemented a shader generation process during initial loading to enhance gameplay smoothness. The game does not currently support NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation, but a workaround for subtitle ghosting was utilized. Performance testing was conducted at 4K resolution with max settings on a high-end rig, achieving an average of 200 FPS with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation set to 4x. The visuals are striking, although there is no native HDR support, which can be enabled through a workaround. The game supports the DualSense Edge controller, and Dolby Atmos performs well. The credits reveal collaboration with several supporting studios, including the Xbox Games Technology Group.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Avowed’s low frame rates but smooth-feeling gameplay makes me wonder if we PC gamers worry too much about the numbers

A significant portion of time has been spent evaluating the performance of newly released games, including Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, Civilization 7, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Avowed, across various PC configurations. Performance metrics were gathered through repeated benchmarks. In testing Avowed on a rig with a Ryzen 7 5700X3D and a GeForce RTX 4070, the game averaged 68 frames per second at 1440p using the High quality preset, with a 1% low frame rate of 34 fps. Despite this disparity, the gameplay experience was described as surprisingly smooth, with only occasional stutters. The text discusses the difference between performance statistics and the subjective experience of gameplay, suggesting that the overall feel may be more important than raw performance numbers for many players. The author expresses a preference for focusing on gameplay experience over strict adherence to performance metrics.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is proof, if any was ever needed, that you don’t need the latest graphics technology to have a great-looking game that also runs well

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 demonstrates impressive performance and graphics, utilizing CryEngine effectively to enhance visual appeal while maintaining smooth gameplay. The game scales well across various PC configurations, achieving an average frame rate of 96 fps at 1080p with 1% lows at 83 fps on a Ryzen 5 5600X and Intel Arc A770. It performs solidly at 1440p with FSR 3 Quality settings and can be pushed to 4K with the 'Experimental' quality preset, although it struggles to maintain 50 fps without upscaling. The game includes subtle details that enhance the experience, and its robust performance allows developers to focus on enriching gameplay rather than fixing issues.