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Nvidia’s latest GPU driver brings a new way to speed up PC games
AppWizard
October 21, 2026

Nvidia’s latest GPU driver brings a new way to speed up PC games

Nvidia has released GPU driver version 621.01, which includes Microsoft’s Advanced Shader Delivery technology to improve gaming by speeding up game launches and eliminating mid-game shader compilation issues. This technology uses cloud resources to precompile shaders for various hardware configurations, allowing developers to capture shaders into a State Object Database (SODB) using DirectX 12, Windows 11, and the Microsoft Agility SDK. Games like Gears of War: E-Day and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 support this feature when downloaded through the Xbox PC app, and it is compatible with games purchased on other platforms like Steam. The system achieves a near-100 percent cache hit rate, reducing CPU spikes and frame stutters. The driver update is available for download, and Advanced Shader Delivery also works with AMD GPUs (Adrenalin version 26.6.1 or higher) and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 series (driver version 2026.08.3 or higher).
"A new PC is a meaningful purchase" — Microsoft thinks Windows 11 is finally good enough to be the selling point
Winsage
October 15, 2026

“A new PC is a meaningful purchase” — Microsoft thinks Windows 11 is finally good enough to be the selling point

Microsoft has announced significant updates to Windows 11, including enhancements to the Photos app, an upgraded Search experience currently being tested with Windows Insiders, and improved phone integration. Key features include faster Bluetooth pairing with AirPods, which is up to 15 seconds quicker, and gaming improvements through Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) that reduce initial game load times for titles like Forza Horizon 6 and Gears of War: E-Day. Microsoft has also introduced an Xbox 25th Anniversary bundle with over 0 worth of games, including Skyrim Special Edition, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Age of Empires II Definitive Edition, Minecraft Dungeons, and Gears of War: Reloaded. The company is encouraging users to consider new hardware as it implements changes based on user feedback through its Windows K2 initiative.
Jensen Huang remembers Windows early days, crediting Microsoft, says that 'Nvidia was founded because of Windows'; CEO Satya Nadella jokes: If you could just do a little transfer of...
Winsage
October 9, 2026

Jensen Huang remembers Windows early days, crediting Microsoft, says that ‘Nvidia was founded because of Windows’; CEO Satya Nadella jokes: If you could just do a little transfer of…

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that Nvidia was founded due to the introduction of Windows 3.1 in 1992, which laid the groundwork for GPUs. He highlighted that Windows 95 and DirectX allowed for the integration of GPUs into PCs, with DirectX 8 enabling the creation of the first programmable GPU featuring programmable shaders, leading to CUDA. Huang emphasized that without Windows, there would be no GeForce, and consequently, AI researchers might not have had the necessary computational resources for deep learning. The conversation also touched on a four-year collaboration between Nvidia and Microsoft that resulted in the RTX Spark project, which required over 4,000 engineering years and extensive testing across more than 1,200 applications. Laptops featuring RTX Spark are available for preorder, with shipments starting on October 16.
Spiritfarer dev's next game, At Fate's End, is one of the prettiest things I've ever seen
AppWizard
October 8, 2026

Spiritfarer dev’s next game, At Fate’s End, is one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen

At Fate's End is a new game from the creators of Spiritfarer that combines visual novel elements with action-adventure gameplay. The protagonist, Shan Hemlock, is designated as the Princess of Swords and embarks on a quest to gather her family's blades using force or diplomacy. The game features stunning hand-drawn animations and a card system that allows players to gain new abilities with both benefits and drawbacks. Combat involves positioning-based battles and a skill tree, while exploration includes traversing the Hemlock estate and engaging in conversations to uncover family truths. Players will also experience brief skirmishes that unlock skill points or advance the storyline. The game is set to be released in 2027.
Lemuroid Setup Guide: 20 Retro Systems [2026]
BetaBeacon
October 6, 2026

Lemuroid Setup Guide: 20 Retro Systems [2026]

Lemuroid is an open-source Android frontend built on top of the Libretro core ecosystem, maintained by developer Swordfish90. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 and has 4,371 stars, 366 forks, and 595 open issues on GitHub. Late 2026 is a good time to set it up due to its active development. It is available on Google Play, F-Droid, and GitHub, providing redundancy in case of policy changes. Lemuroid supports twenty systems, each mapped to a specific Libretro core. PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Nintendo Switch are not supported. It requires Android 6.0, 500MB of storage, 3GB of RAM for 8-bit and 16-bit systems, and legally dumped ROMs/ISOs. BIOS files are required for PS1, PSP, and DS cores. It is recommended for managing multiple systems in one library.
86Box Setup Guide 2026: Emulate a Windows 98 PC in 13 Steps
Winsage
September 24, 2026

86Box Setup Guide 2026: Emulate a Windows 98 PC in 13 Steps

86Box is an emulator that meticulously reconstructs vintage PCs, allowing users to boot operating systems like MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows XP. The latest version, 6.0, was released on May 31, 2026, featuring a native Windows ARM64 build and discontinuing support for macOS 10.13 High Sierra. It has approximately 2,400 monthly searches in the U.S., indicating a demand for setup guides among enthusiasts. Unlike DOSBox, which creates a generic DOS environment, 86Box emulates specific hardware components for authentic execution of various operating systems. Originally a fork of PCem, 86Box has expanded its supported motherboards and developed a community of contributors. Version 6.0 has established it as the preferred choice for retro-PC builders in 2026. Before installation, users need a minimum of a 64-bit Intel Core 2, AMD Athlon 64, or ARMv8 CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and a compatible host operating system. The installation process involves downloading the appropriate build, sourcing a legal ROM set, and configuring the virtual machine using the 86Box Manager. Users can select specific graphics cards and sound hardware to replicate the original systems accurately. The setup requires installation media for the guest operating system, which must be sourced legally. Common pitfalls during setup include ensuring the BIOS ROM is available, matching CPU speed to software era, and installing the correct drivers. A properly configured virtual machine should display a BIOS POST screen and boot the selected operating system. Troubleshooting common issues often involves checking for missing ROMs, uninstalled drivers, or performance settings. 86Box is open-source and legal to use, but users must ensure they have legitimate licenses for any software used within the emulator.
RTX 5090 and DLSS 5 Transform Classic Minecraft into 4K
AppWizard
September 24, 2026

RTX 5090 and DLSS 5 Transform Classic Minecraft into 4K

A recent benchmark in Minecraft contrasts the original aesthetic with a modified version using the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card and DLSS 5 neural network rendering technology. The modified build features an AdaptiveVision shader, optimized ReShade post-processing presets, and material maps for roughness and reflectivity. DLSS 5 enhances textures without changing polygonal meshes, eliminating subpixel flickering and improving light and shadow gradients. The RTX 5090's video memory and tensor units maintain high frame rates during demanding path tracing and neural network computations. This project demonstrates the potential of machine learning technologies in enhancing classic games.
Unofficial PC Version of Super Smash Bros. Melee Released
AppWizard
September 15, 2026

Unofficial PC Version of Super Smash Bros. Melee Released

An unofficial PC port of the Nintendo GameCube game Super Smash Bros. Melee has been released. The game, originally launched in 2001, features a unique damage system, various attack types, and diverse stages. It includes several game modes such as Classic Mode, Adventure Mode, and Event Matches, with unlockable characters and content. The PC version supports keyboard and gamepad inputs, allows for resolution adjustments and visual customizations, but lacks online play and widescreen support. Users need to provide their own ROM to play. This release is part of a trend of unofficial PC ports of classic games, including titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
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