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Windows Registry Tweak Unlocks 80% SSD Speed Boost on Consumer PCs
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.
Out of all the new games I've played in 2025, Grounded 2 deserves a special nod simply because it makes me like a genre that I really don't like: multiplayer survival
AppWizard
December 22, 2025

Out of all the new games I’ve played in 2025, Grounded 2 deserves a special nod simply because it makes me like a genre that I really don’t like: multiplayer survival

Over the past year, 32 new gaming titles were released, with Grounded 2 emerging as a favorite. The game builds on its predecessor, which was played for over 110 hours, and emphasizes adventure and teamwork without competitive pressure. Players can engage in cooperative resource gathering or solo missions, fostering enjoyable experiences. Grounded 2 features awe-inspiring moments and rewards fun over competition, making it popular among families. It is currently in early access, with a full version expected by the end of 2026, allowing for ongoing content updates. The game has reshaped the author's perspective on multiplayer gaming, highlighting its non-competitive appeal.
Unreal Engine 5.7 Venice Next-Gen Tech Demo Released
AppWizard
November 30, 2025

Unreal Engine 5.7 Venice Next-Gen Tech Demo Released

Scans Factory has released a tech demo using Unreal Engine 5.7, featuring the city of Venice, which is available for download. The demo includes over 500 assets, allowing players to explore various aspects of Venetian life. Performance testing on a high-end gaming rig showed 40FPS at Native 4K resolution with Cinematic Settings, and over 65FPS at Ultra settings. A walkthrough video and performance comparison between UE5.4 and UE5.7 are also provided. Additionally, various free fan-made projects in Unreal Engine 5 include remakes of popular games and other tech demos.
This Indie Developer Bought a $100 PC to Optimize Their Game
AppWizard
October 7, 2025

This Indie Developer Bought a $100 PC to Optimize Their Game

Indie game developer gitpullorigin is addressing player feedback for their upcoming chess roguelike title, Yes, My Queen, by purchasing a low-cost PC for performance testing. They acquired an Intel DC3217IYE Mini PC NUC Kit for €89, which features a 1.80 GHz Intel Core i3-3217U processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 120GB SSD. This approach has helped identify performance issues, such as text becoming invisible when using Vulkan on the integrated GPU and noticeable lag when using a custom cursor in Software mode.
As yet another Stellaris DLC lands to negative outcry, Paradox admits fixing performance is a "long haul"
AppWizard
October 3, 2025

As yet another Stellaris DLC lands to negative outcry, Paradox admits fixing performance is a “long haul”

The Stellaris DLC, Shadows of the Shroud, has received a 43% positive rating on Steam, primarily due to performance issues such as bugs, desyncs, crashes, and instability, rather than the content itself. Game director Stephen 'Eladrin' Muray acknowledged these challenges and mentioned that the open beta for patch 4.1.4 revealed critical issues, leading to a new open beta, 4.1.5, focused on fixes. Performance is a top priority for the Stellaris team, with a subteam dedicated to diagnosing and resolving issues. Muray noted an unusually large number of ships in late-game saves, attributed to enhanced economies from version 4.0, and highlighted the AI's improved naval capacity. The performance of version 4.1 is marginally better than 3.14 until around 2300, after which performance diverges sharply. The team is working on reducing ship counts through economic balancing and mechanical changes. QA analyst 'Gosia' confirmed the team's commitment to performance testing across various machine specifications. Muray mentioned that the performance team is rewriting how modifiers are calculated, which could positively impact late-game performance. He also discussed a new mod that increases ship costs and power to reduce vessel numbers and emphasized the need to address non-linear growth in the post-4.0 economy. Multiplayer stability and desyncs are ongoing concerns, with the team actively working to resolve these issues and encouraging players to report problems.
How we loaded a petabyte into PostgreSQL before New Year — and what happened next
Tech Optimizer
August 26, 2025

How we loaded a petabyte into PostgreSQL before New Year — and what happened next

A team decided to test PostgreSQL's capabilities with a one-petabyte database, setting a challenge for December 10, with a report due by January 20. They initially sought cloud storage but found no provider could meet their requirement for a single chunk of storage, leading them to rent physical servers. They used Shardman, a distributed database engine, to manage the database across seven servers. They employed the YCSB benchmark for performance testing and faced various challenges, including data loading issues and hardware problems. By January 15, they reached 863 terabytes of data generation, falling short of their petabyte goal, and documented their findings for future reference.
Analysis finds Volumez block storage outpaces cloud giants for PostgreSQL
Tech Optimizer
July 7, 2025

Analysis finds Volumez block storage outpaces cloud giants for PostgreSQL

Volumez has launched a block storage service for PostgreSQL users in cloud environments like AWS, Azure, and OCI, enhancing transaction throughput and reducing latency compared to native offerings. The service utilizes ephemeral cloud block storage instances, providing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Analyst Chris Evans evaluated Volumez's Data Infrastructure-as-a-Service (DIaaS) for PostgreSQL, noting its ability to define application-specific metrics, allowing optimization without traditional scaling constraints. Performance tests using pgbench showed that Volumez achieved the highest transactions per second (TPS) on AWS and the lowest latency among tested alternatives. OCI was identified as the most economical option, being 40% cheaper than AWS. Volumez's costs are significantly lower than AWS's io2 Block Express configuration, with potential savings of up to 80% on AWS. Volumez DIaaS also outperformed Azure's storage in TPS and latency, making it a recommended solution for businesses using public cloud services for traditional database applications.
Norton 360 Deluxe antivirus review
Tech Optimizer
June 10, 2025

Norton 360 Deluxe antivirus review

Norton 360 Deluxe is a comprehensive antivirus solution that offers extensive security features, including protection against botnets, brute force attacks, and vulnerabilities related to file and print sharing. It provides webcam protection, secure application sandboxing, and a Safe Search feature for risky websites. Users can create a rescue disk for emergencies. Scanning capabilities include quick scans, full scans, targeted folder scans, and a pre-boot deep scan, with the full scan completing in about four minutes. Parental controls allow management of screen time and website access across devices, while the included VPN can disable internet access if a compromised site is visited. Performance testing showed that Norton 360 Deluxe efficiently processed 927,000 files in about four minutes on various devices, significantly outperforming competitors like Bitdefender and McAfee. The Startup Scan feature is thorough but takes longer. The VPN maintained download speeds without noticeable degradation. Additional features include privacy monitoring tools, performance checks for outdated software, junk file removal, and limited cloud backup support for Windows devices. The user-friendly interface highlights key features and includes a search function for easy navigation. Norton provides 24/7 support through online chat and phone, with no email support available. The initial interaction with the virtual agent was efficient, followed by prompt human support.
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