SSD Archives

Winsage

December 28, 2024

I’ve been a Windows on Arm user for years — Snapdragon X Elite has changed everything

The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

What a Minecraft Game Made in Unreal Engine 5 Could Look Like

Digital Dreams has reimagined Minecraft using Unreal Engine 5, resulting in impressive visuals that surpass those of a movie featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. The hardware requirements for this version include a Gigabyte Aorus X670 AX motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7950x processor, Kingston Fury 6000MHz RAM, NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics card, and Samsung 970 EVO SSD. LEGO has released The Crafting Table building set to celebrate Minecraft's 15th anniversary, designed for adult fans. This set features 12 biomes, including Deep Dark and Lush Cave, and includes five mini builds and eight micro figures, such as Steve and Creeper.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

How to create your own bootable Windows 11 SSD for the Steam Deck

The Steam Deck operates on Linux, which limits access to certain games and services that require Windows, such as PC Game Pass titles and multiplayer games with anti-cheat software. Users can integrate Windows 11 into their Steam Deck by creating a portable version on a USB-C SSD. Recommended SSD options include the Crucial X6 2 TB SSD or a Genki SavePoint SSD enclosure for M.2 2230-size SSDs. To download Windows 11, users should visit Microsoft's website and select the appropriate ISO file. Creating a bootable drive involves using Rufus to set up the SSD with Windows 11. After downloading Valve's official drivers for the Steam Deck, users can boot into Windows by connecting the SSD and selecting it from the drive selector screen. Adjustments may be needed for display settings, and installing the Steam Deck drivers is recommended for optimal functionality. Once set up, users can access a wider range of PC gaming experiences, including the Xbox app for PC Game Pass titles.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Compare Dell Latitude 5300 Laptop i5 Intel Core i5 8th Gen-8365U Integrated 8GB 512GB SSD Windows 10 vs Lenovo Thinkpad T490s (20NYS3050D) Laptop (Core i5 8th Gen/16 GB/256 GB SSD/Windows 10) – Dell Latitude 5300 Laptop i5 Intel Core i5 8th Gen-8365U Integrated 8GB 512GB SSD Windows 10 vs Lenovo Thinkpad T490s (20NYS3050D) Laptop (Core i5 8th Gen/16 GB/256 GB SSD/Windows 10) Comparison by Price, Specifications, Reviews & Features

Dell Latitude 5300 specifications: - Processor: Intel Core i5 8th Gen (8365U) - RAM: 8GB - Storage: 512GB SSD - Operating System: Windows 10 Lenovo ThinkPad T490s specifications: - Processor: Intel Core i5 8th Gen - RAM: 16GB - Storage: 256GB SSD - Operating System: Windows 10 Dell Latitude 5300 features: - Lightweight build for portability - Extended battery life suitable for travel and remote work Lenovo ThinkPad T490s features: - Durable construction - Ergonomic keyboard for enhanced typing experience - Commendable battery life Price comparison: - Dell Latitude 5300 is competitively priced considering its storage. - Lenovo ThinkPad T490s is slightly higher in price due to enhanced RAM and robust build quality.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Windows Recall support for Intel & AMD PCs: Eligible PC List

Microsoft has introduced an AI feature called Recall for Windows PCs, enabling users to retrieve actions or searches by capturing and storing screenshots in an encrypted format. Users can search for specific content using keywords, but Recall will only be available to select Windows 11 PCs. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon X SoCs, Recall now supports newer Intel and AMD CPUs with a 40 teraflops Neural Processing Unit (NPU). To use Recall, the system requirements include: - Windows 11 PC enrolled in the Insider Program (Canary or Dev channel) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - CPU with 8 logical processors - NPU with 40 teraflops - Windows Hello for sign-in security and device encryption activated. Compatible devices include: - Acer Swift 14 AI - ASUS Vivobook S 15 and ProArt PZ13 - Dell Latitude 7455, XPS 13, and Inspiron 14 - HP OmniBook X 14 - Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s - Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC - Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Supported CPUs are: - AMD Ryzen AI 300 series - Intel Core Ultra 200V series - Snapdragon X Elite - Snapdragon X Plus More compatible systems and CPUs are expected by 2025.

Winsage

December 25, 2024

5 ways to make Windows 11 boot faster without new hardware

Windows can exhibit sluggishness during boot times, which can be improved without hardware upgrades or reinstallation. 1. Disable unnecessary startup programs using Task Manager to enhance boot times. 2. Adjust the Fast Startup feature in Control Panel, as it can sometimes hinder performance. 3. Reduce the operating system selection timeout in System Properties to streamline booting for users with multiple operating systems. 4. Uninstall unneeded applications to free up resources. 5. Ensure sufficient free space on your SSD, as full SSDs can degrade performance.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

5 things you need to know about DirectStorage on Windows 11

DirectStorage is a technology introduced by Microsoft in 2020 to enhance loading times and optimize GPU efficiency in gaming. It has been available to developers since March 2022, but its adoption has been slow due to integration challenges. DirectStorage allows games to utilize NVMe SSDs for faster data transfer by enabling the GPU to handle decompression, reducing CPU workload. The technology has seen limited implementation in the gaming industry, with mixed results in titles like Forspoken and Horizon Forbidden West. Users need Windows 10 version 1909 or later, an NVMe SSD, and a GPU supporting DirectX 12 and Shader Model 6.0 to benefit from DirectStorage. Keeping Windows and GPU drivers updated is essential for optimal performance. While DirectStorage is supported on Windows 10, the best results are expected on Windows 11.

TrendTechie

December 21, 2024

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 появится на торрентах в день релиза? В игре нет защиты Denuvo

On November 20, GSC Game World will release S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which will not include Denuvo anti-piracy protection and will be available on the GOG digital store without DRM. It is expected that pirated versions of the game will appear on torrent sites within hours of its release. The minimum system requirements for the game are Windows 10, Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580, 8 GB RAM, and 150 GB disk space (SSD recommended). The recommended requirements are Windows 10/11, Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super or AMD RX 5700 XT, 16 GB RAM, and 150 GB disk space (SSD required). Initial impressions from major publications and gaming expos are positive, highlighting the game's visual fidelity, mechanics, NPC intelligence, nonlinear quests, and expansive map, though some concerns were raised about a lengthy introduction and technical glitches. Journalists were not allowed to record gameplay footage, which has led to apprehensions about the unfiltered gameplay experience.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

How to get started with Windows Recall on Windows 11

Windows 11 version 24H2 introduces a feature called Windows Recall, which captures and remembers on-screen activities using AI. Users can configure settings for Windows Recall, including opting in or out, adjusting storage allocations (25GB for 256GB SSD, 75GB for 512GB SSD, and 150GB for 1TB SSD), deleting snapshots, and filtering specific apps and websites. The feature can filter sensitive information and allows users to pause and resume snapshots. Users can search for past activities using natural language queries and interact with snapshots to perform actions like copying text or erasing objects. Windows Recall operates only when the device is in use and does not upload data to the cloud. The data remains on the user's device, with encryption for security. The feature supports multiple languages, including English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Clean up your PC: Deep cleaning with professional tricks

Maintaining a tidy digital environment is essential for optimizing the performance of a Windows PC. Regular decluttering frees up storage space and enhances overall efficiency. 1. Check Memory Utilization: Access Settings (Win+I) > System > Memory to view memory usage, including temporary files and installed applications. The "Other" category shows large folders for potential deletion, and you can uninstall unnecessary programs under Apps > Installed apps. Temporary files can be removed under System > Storage > Temporary files. 2. Windows 11 Cleanup Functions: Go to System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations to find storage space occupied by downloads, the recycle bin, and Previous Windows installations. Select areas to clean and click the cleanup button. 3. Free Up Storage Space: Enable Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage to automate cleanup processes, customizing frequency and recycle bin retention. 4. Relocate Standard Storage Locations: In System > Storage > Advanced storage settings, designate alternative drives for new content to keep the primary drive uncluttered. 5. Change Storage Location for Apps: Specify a different drive when installing new applications. For Microsoft Store apps, go to Apps > Installed apps and select Move. 6. Clean Up Discs: Use the Disk Cleanup tool (cleanmgr) to delete unnecessary files. The Clean up system files option reveals additional files for removal. 7. Delete Browser Data: Clear browser cache as needed to improve performance, managing data through browser settings. 8. Optimize Autostart: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to disable unnecessary startup programs. Tools like Autoruns can help manage autostart entries for efficient booting. Additional software options like Bleachbit and Ccleaner can provide deeper insights for system maintenance.