SSD Archives

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

PCs under $500 to “disappear by 2028” predicts analyst. Apparently water’s wet, too.

Gartner predicts that the sub-0 entry-level PC segment will disappear by 2028 due to a 130% increase in memory and SSD costs, contributing to a 17% rise in PC prices by 2025. This situation is expected to result in a 10.4% decline in PC shipments this year, the first contraction in over a decade. Consumers are anticipated to keep their devices longer, with business users holding onto PCs for 15% longer and consumers for 20% longer by the end of 2026. The report indicates that elevated RAM and SSD prices will persist longer than expected, influenced by broader inflation trends. Additionally, the anticipated 50% market penetration of AI PCs is now expected to be delayed until 2028.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Best Marathon settings for peak gaming PC performance

Bungie's multiplayer FPS, Marathon, is currently in an early Server Slam until March 2, with a full release on March 6. The game is designed to be accessible on mid-range PCs and does not require high-end GPU power. Initial settings for optimal performance include Vsync on, frame rate cap off, field of view at 90°, and high graphics quality. Players can expect an average frame rate of 84fps with 60fps for 1% lows. The game is not compatible with the Steam Deck due to BattleEye anti-cheat technology but runs smoothly on other Windows-based handheld devices. While an SSD is not required, it is recommended for better load times. Performance monitoring can be done via a built-in FPS counter or overlays from Nvidia and AMD.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

Realms vs Hosting for Smooth Multiplayer Minecraft Setup

Minecraft Realms is designed for minimal friction, serving as a "no admin" solution for gaming groups. Each Realm accommodates three persistent world slots, allowing friends to access the active world anytime, even when the owner is offline. Realms feature automatic backups to restore worlds and simplify undoing changes. They are ideal for groups that prefer convenience and a vanilla experience. In contrast, hosting provides greater control, enabling the use of plugins, modpacks, and performance tuning. Key considerations before choosing a server include server region, SSD storage, backup processes, upgrade options, and support quality. A checklist can help prevent troubleshooting issues later. Establishing a Minecraft Realms list can streamline decision-making for groups with varying preferences.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Death Stranding 2 Official Specs Suggest It’ll Run Great on Most PCs

Death Stranding 2 will be available on PC starting March 19th. The minimum system requirements for the game include an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or an AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT, an Intel Core i3-10100 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 processor, and 150GB of storage (SSD recommended), allowing for 1080p resolution at 30 fps on low settings. The recommended specifications for 1440p resolution at 60 fps on high settings require an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800, along with an Intel Core i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X processor. For 4K resolution at 60 fps on very high settings, the game requires an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT. The game does not utilize ray tracing on the PS5 Pro, and support for various upscaling technologies like DLSS, XeSS, and FSR will be included in the PC version.

Tech Optimizer

February 25, 2026

Fix “kernel security check failure”: Step-by-step guide

The "kernel security check failure" error on Windows indicates corruption in critical system memory or internal data structures, triggering a bug check to prevent further damage. It is marked by the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) displaying the message “KERNELSECURITYCHECK_FAILURE” and stop code 0x139. Causes include outdated or incompatible drivers, corrupted system files, faulty RAM, disk errors, third-party software conflicts, faulty Windows updates, overclocking, and malware threats. Common fixes involve updating Windows and drivers, scanning for corrupted files, using Check Disk (CHKDSK), running Windows Memory Diagnostic, and performing System Restore. If unresolved, a clean installation of Windows may be necessary. Regular updates and avoiding unnecessary software installations can help prevent future occurrences.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Death Stranding 2 system requirements are good news for gamers trapped between aging PCs and skyrocketing hardware prices, and there’s even a ‘portable preset’ for playing on handhelds

Kojima Productions has confirmed the release of the PC version of Death Stranding 2, launching on March 19. The minimum system requirements include a GPU of Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB, CPU of Intel Core i3-10100 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100, 16GB of RAM, and 150GB of SSD storage, with Windows 10/11 (Version 1909 or newer) required. The game supports various settings: - Minimum: 1080p, 30 fps, low graphics preset - Medium: 1080p, 60 fps, medium graphics preset - High (Recommended): 1440p, 60 fps, high graphics preset - Very High: 4K, 60 fps, very high graphics preset The game will also feature a "portable preset" for handheld devices, and preorders are available on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem requirements for PC are lower than you think

The minimum system requirements for Resident Evil Requiem include: - OS: Windows 11 64-bit - GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT - VRAM: 6GB - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500 or Intel Core i5 8500 - RAM: 16GB The recommended system requirements are: - OS: Windows 11 64-bit - GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 - VRAM: 8GB - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 or Intel Core i7 8700 - RAM: 16GB DirectX 12 GPU is required for both minimum and recommended specifications. The download size and SSD requirement have not been disclosed. The game is likely to be playable on the Steam Deck, but its verified status is yet to be confirmed.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Steam Deck OLED stock hit by RAM and SSD shortages in worrying sign for Steam Machine release

The Steam Deck OLED is facing stock challenges due to rising RAM and SSD prices linked to increased demand from AI data centers. Valve has announced that the Steam Deck OLED may be intermittently out of stock in some regions due to memory and storage shortages. While the Steam Deck has previously experienced supply issues, availability had stabilized until now. In the U.S., all variants are sold out, while the UK has stock of all models and Germany has limited availability of the 1TB Steam Deck OLED. The 256GB Steam Deck LCD is no longer in production. Valve has not increased prices for existing Steam Deck models despite the stock issues.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

TT Games downgrades PC requirements after initially suggesting players needed 32GB RAM to meet “recommended” spec

TT Games has revised the PC specifications for Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, lowering the recommended RAM from 32GB to 16GB. The minimum requirements now include a 64-bit processor and operating system, Windows 11, Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics, 50GB storage space, and an SSD. The recommended specifications include an Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics, and the same storage requirements. The game is set to launch on May 29, 2026, and will be available on multiple platforms.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

The Crimson Desert system requirements don’t ask much of your graphics card, but download size is another matter

The system requirements for Crimson Desert on PC are as follows: Minimum Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 64-bit - GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i5 8500 - RAM: 16GB - Storage: 135GB SSD required - Notes: Windows compatible sound card required, DirectX 12 GPU required Recommended Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 64-bit - GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5 11600K - RAM: 16GB - Storage: 135GB SSD required - Notes: Windows compatible sound card required, DirectX 12 GPU required The game requires a minimum of 16GB of RAM and 135GB of SSD storage. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 is sufficient for minimum settings, while the recommended setup requires more powerful GPUs. Compatibility with Intel Arc GPUs is assumed but not specified. The game may potentially run on the Steam Deck, but official confirmation is pending.