performance Archives

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Nvidia & Microsoft push local AI agents on Windows

NVIDIA has enhanced the capability to run AI agents locally on its hardware in collaboration with Microsoft and software partners, coinciding with the launch of new RTX Spark Windows PCs. The installation process for local agent software has been simplified, with improved inference speeds and the introduction of NVIDIA PAIR, which distributes inference tasks across multiple PCs on a local network. Three applications benefiting from these enhancements are Hermes Agent, OpenClaw, and Perplexity Portable Computer, all designed to minimize manual configuration. Hermes Agent offers a one-click local setup for RTX and DGX systems, automatically detecting the GPU and optimizing model selection. OpenClaw simplifies local model setups for RTX GPUs with at least 24GB of VRAM, backed by an open-source community. Perplexity Portable Computer, already available on Linux, is extending support to NVIDIA RTX GPUs and Windows. NVIDIA is also improving performance in the open-source inference stack, achieving throughput increases of up to 1.9 times on GeForce RTX 5090 and up to 1.4 times on DGX Spark clusters. The PAIR software identifies compatible PCs on the same network to optimize computing resources, supporting various hardware configurations. The upcoming RTX Spark Windows PCs, set to launch in October, will include compact desktop and laptop designs featuring Blackwell GPU and Grace CPU architecture. Game publishers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft are developing titles for these systems. Additionally, CyberLink's PhotoDirector AI PC Mode will integrate local AI processing for creative tasks, emphasizing the trend of migrating generative AI workloads from cloud to local devices. NVIDIA notes that over half of U.S. households have two or more PCs, indicating potential for maximizing computing power.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Windows 11’s next security feature may cost you gaming performance

Memory Integrity enhances Windows 11 security by allowing only verified kernel-mode code to load, blocking unsigned rootkits and improving defenses against driver-based kernel attacks. It requires specific hardware for optimal functionality. The combination of Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) and Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) may result in a performance decrease in gaming, with reported slowdowns of up to 15 percent. Microsoft acknowledged in 2022 that these features might impact gaming performance and advised gamers to consider temporarily disabling them for better performance, especially on older hardware. Tom’s Hardware reiterated this recommendation to balance security and user experience.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Valve’s Steam Machine Proves a Capable Windows PC, But 128GB RAM Upgrade Offers Little Value

Valve's Steam Machine has been tested for its versatility beyond gaming, with two notable upgrades: installing 128GB of RAM and converting it to run Windows 11. The 128GB RAM upgrade involved installing a 2x64GB SO-DIMM kit, which required extensive BIOS adjustments and presented challenges such as system instability and difficult access to RAM slots. Despite the technical success, performance improvements in gaming were minimal, as most applications do not utilize that much memory, making the upgrade cost-prohibitive. In contrast, converting the Steam Machine to Windows 11 was more straightforward. The process involved creating bootable USB drives and navigating BIOS settings. Once installed, the Steam Machine performed well as a Windows PC, with productivity tasks showing better efficiency than other portable devices. Benchmark tests indicated slight performance drops compared to SteamOS, but real-world usage, such as video editing, proved effective. Overall, the Steam Machine is capable of functioning beyond its intended purpose, but users should consider practical memory configurations and the limitations of dual-boot support when choosing how to optimize the device.

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

Nvidia: DLSS 5 Is Coming to RTX 4000 GPUs, Too

Nvidia has announced that DLSS 5 technology will be available for RTX 4000 GPUs, previously exclusive to RTX 5000 GPUs. The official rollout will follow Nvidia's schedule for local stockists in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East, with performance tuning dependent on software updates later this year. Currently, DLSS 5 is only available in NBA 2K27, and while it enhances graphics, it can significantly reduce frame rates by 50% to 60%. Nvidia plans to optimize DLSS 5 for both RTX 5000 and RTX 4000 series. The gaming community has found unofficial ways to run DLSS 5 on RTX 4000 GPUs, but this also results in a substantial drop in FPS. Gamers in the Middle East won't need to upgrade their hardware to access DLSS 5, but they should monitor local hardware availability and updates for improved performance.

BetaBeacon

September 5, 2026

Google Play Games PC vs GameLoop vs Genymotion [2026]

Google Play Games for PC officially launched on September 23, 2025, after more than three years of testing.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

There are two kinds of Windows users—and one of them is unknowingly making the OS worse

There is a divide between casual Windows users and engaged enthusiasts, with passive users often accepting default settings that contribute to system bloat. Passive users enable telemetry and promotional content by not customizing their installations, while active users take steps to enhance privacy and performance. Microsoft interprets user inaction as approval for unwanted features, leading to an accumulation of bloatware and unnecessary updates. The Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service collects user data, justifying the inclusion of features like Copilot, which many users may not want. Users face challenges in maintaining control over their systems, often needing technical knowledge to opt out of unwanted features. Microsoft's feedback system is inadequate, interpreting silence as consent rather than a lack of interest, making it difficult for users to effect meaningful change.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Announcing Project Zenith: The ready-to-code Windows experience on developer-class devices

Windows announced Project Zenith, a developer-optimized Windows 11 experience designed for devices with over 64 GB of unified memory and memory bandwidth exceeding 250 GB/s. The project will initially launch with AMD’s Ryzen AI Halo and will include preconfigured Windows setups and a curated selection of development tools. Devices under Project Zenith will allow developers to run models with over 30 billion parameters locally, reducing reliance on cloud resources. Enhancements to Windows 11 include improved performance and a cleaner workspace tailored for coding, with features like pinned Windows Terminal and Visual Studio Code. Project Zenith also integrates the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and provides a secure environment for developing agentic applications, leveraging OS-enforced identity and Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC). The initiative aims to offer a consistent ready-to-code experience across various devices while responding to developer needs and evolving with advancements in AI and software development.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

This Google Chrome alternative is the most exciting Android browser I’ve used all year

Solipsism Browser is a third-party, open-source browser based on Chromium, launched just over three months ago. It features a unique side-rail design for navigation buttons, allowing for ergonomic one-handed use, especially on larger devices. Users can customize the homepage with HTML and CSS, and it includes a built-in ad blocker powered by uBlock Origin and a malware scanner. However, it lacks extension support, which is a strength of Firefox, and the address bar's placement at the top can hinder one-handed usability. Solipsism is not available on the Google Play Store and requires updates through platforms like F-Droid or Obtanium. The developer plans to create a future version based on the Servo engine.

Tech Optimizer

September 4, 2026

NordVPN’s Next-Gen Antivirus scores 94% in independent phishing and malware testing

NordVPN's next-generation antivirus achieved a 94% phishing detection rate in an anti-phishing test by AV-Comparatives, ranking third among nine products, behind Avast One Free Antivirus and Norton Antivirus Plus, both at 96%. The evaluation tested 250 live phishing URLs and recorded zero false positives for NordVPN, unlike competitors such as Malwarebytes Premium and Webroot SecureAnywhere. The two-percentage-point difference between NordVPN and the leaders corresponds to five URLs. Other products like Dr. Web Security Space and K7 Total Security had lower detection rates of 57% and 70%, respectively. Previously, NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro had an 83.42% detection rate across 3,209 links, outperforming IPVanish. In June 2024, NordVPN became the first VPN provider to earn AV-Comparatives' anti-phishing protection badge, requiring a minimum detection rate of 85% with zero false alarms. The antivirus feature is available on Plus plans and higher, previously known as Threat Protection Pro, and is included in Plus, Complete, and Prime tiers.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Onimusha: Way of the Sword PC Performance Analysis

Tomorrow marks the official release of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and Capcom has provided a PC benchmark tool for gamers. Benchmark tests were conducted using an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM at 6000MHz, and various graphics cards including AMD’s Radeon RX 6900XT, RX 7900XTX, RX 9070XT, and NVIDIA’s RTX 2080Ti, RTX 3080, RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090, on Windows 10 64-bit with specific drivers. The game includes customizable graphics settings such as Textures, Meshes, Sky, Foliage, Shadows, Ray Tracing, NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5, and AMD’s FSR 3.1. At 1080p with Max Settings, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 showed a bottleneck but achieved an average framerate exceeding 220FPS, with all tested GPUs maintaining over 60FPS. At 1440p with Max Settings, the top five GPUs also performed well, with the NVIDIA RTX 3080 providing a smooth experience, and the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT averaging 68FPS. At Native 4K with Max Settings, the NVIDIA RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 maintained framerates above 60FPS, while the AMD Radeon RX 9070XT and RX 7900XTX offered satisfactory performance. The game's graphical fidelity does not match the latest Resident Evil titles, with noticeable visual shortcomings despite being powered by the RE Engine. The Ray Tracing feature does not significantly enhance visuals. The PC demo and benchmarking process showed no stutters or performance issues, even with Denuvo anti-tamper technology in use. Overall, Onimusha: Way of the Sword runs well on PC without requiring high-end specifications, although its visuals may not impress players.