test Archives

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Windows 11 vs CachyOS in gaming: Has Linux finally caught up to Windows?

Serious gaming on Linux has become a reality, with modern games showing impressive performance. A performance comparison was conducted between Windows 11 (25H2 build) and CachyOS (March 2026 build), a Linux distribution optimized for gaming. The test system specifications included a Cooler Master GA27127-inch monitor, Intel Core i5 12400F CPU, 24GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, 1TB HDD, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT GPU, and the respective operating systems with their drivers. In gaming performance benchmarks, CachyOS outperformed Windows 11 by an average of 8.6% across five tested games. Specific game performances included: - Dead Space Remake: 70 FPS (Windows 11) vs 76 FPS (CachyOS) - Resident Evil 4 Remake: 84 FPS (Windows 11) vs 95 FPS (CachyOS) - Scorn: 118 FPS (Windows 11) vs 120 FPS (CachyOS) - Silent Hill 2 Remake: 53 FPS (Windows 11) vs 54 FPS (CachyOS) - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next-Gen: 95 FPS (Windows 11) vs 111 FPS (CachyOS) In ray tracing (RT) enabled games, performance varied: - Resident Evil 4 Remake: 77 FPS (Windows 11) vs 83 FPS (CachyOS) - Silent Hill 2 Remake: 30 FPS (Windows 11) vs 24 FPS (CachyOS) - The Witcher 3: 51 FPS (both systems) Most PC games are designed for Windows, while Linux games require the Proton compatibility layer, which can complicate performance. Multiplayer titles often face compatibility issues on Linux, particularly due to anti-cheat systems. Linux has matched or surpassed Windows 11 in single-player scenarios for users with AMD GPUs, while NVIDIA users face challenges due to proprietary drivers.

Tech Optimizer

April 16, 2026

Trend Micro Security Suite Pro Plus Review 2026: Is It The Best Protection?

The review of Trend Micro Security Suite Pro Plus highlights its features, pricing, and performance. The subscription costs A.95 for a 12-month period and includes multi-device antivirus protection, anti-scam software, a VPN, and identity theft protection. The pricing structure for other plans ranges from A.95 for Maximum Security to A9.95 for Security Suite Ultimate. Key features include AI-scam detection, gamer mode, and Folder Shield for ransomware protection. The installation process requires separate logins for each component, which is seen as outdated. The user interface is functional but minimalistic, and compatibility extends to Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. The VPN is developed in-house, and phishing protection is provided through a browser extension. Lab tests show mixed results, with Trend Micro performing well in real-time web threat protection but lagging in offline malware detection. Overall, it is considered a competitively priced option for online security.

Tech Optimizer

April 15, 2026

Bitdefender Total Security

Bitdefender Total Security includes features such as a network security inspector, advanced ransomware defense, a hardened browser, and an active Do Not Track system. It offers a two-tier pricing model: an individual subscription for .99 per year for five licenses and a family subscription for .99 for 25 licenses, which includes parental controls. The software features an interface similar to Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, with user-configurable buttons for quick access to features. It boasts high scores from independent antivirus testing labs and excels in malware protection and antiphishing tests. Bitdefender includes a SecurePass password manager, firewall protection, spam filtering, webcam protection, and cryptomining protection. The parental control features allow parents to manage their children's online activities, but they may not be as effective as dedicated solutions. Bitdefender Total Security provides protection for macOS and Android, with high ratings for its performance on these platforms. The Android app includes malware scanning, web protection, and anti-theft features. The Bitdefender Central app allows users to manage their security settings from mobile devices.

Tech Optimizer

April 15, 2026

Postgres to Iceberg in 13 minutes: How Supermetal compares to Flink, Kafka Connect, and Spark

Supermetal introduced Iceberg sink support, allowing for data transfer from Postgres to Iceberg. In a performance comparison, Supermetal completed snapshotting in 13 minutes, while Flink took 90 to 116 minutes, Kafka Connect required 120 minutes, and Spark exceeded 3 hours. The tests focused on throughput during the snapshotting phase rather than latency. The setup used the TPC-H dataset with a scale factor of 50 and involved AWS infrastructure. Supermetal operates independently of Kafka, enabling direct data delivery from source to sink. It utilizes a JSON configuration file for deployment, supporting various catalogs and advanced configuration options. Supermetal's Iceberg writer can adjust settings based on the CDC source phase. Throughout the tests, Supermetal maintained low CPU and memory usage, while other tools faced challenges with performance and resource management. Data synchronization was validated across all tools, with Supermetal achieving at least 7x faster snapshotting performance without tuning.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

This free app can get your Android phone to run PC games better than ever

Winlator v11.0 is a free Windows-on-Android emulator that allows Android devices to run Windows PC games locally without cloud streaming or subscription fees. The update features significant enhancements in GPU performance, particularly for Adreno 8-series GPUs, improving graphics and reducing crashes for demanding titles on devices with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite. It introduces an experimental OpenGL wrapper called Gladio to extend compatibility to MediaTek and Exynos chips with Mali GPUs. The update also includes Wine 10.10 and Box64 v0.4.0, which enhance the operation of Windows software on mobile processors, promising faster load times and improved stability for 64-bit applications. Initial user feedback indicates remarkable performance improvements over previous versions and other emulators.

Tech Optimizer

April 15, 2026

Connecting .NET Lambda to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL via RDS Proxy

Many organizations are modernizing legacy .NET applications while reducing database costs and enhancing scalability, particularly during migrations to AWS Lambda and transitions from SQL Server to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition. The process involves connecting Lambda functions to Aurora PostgreSQL using Amazon RDS Proxy, with AWS Secrets Manager managing secure credential storage. The architecture includes a .NET Lambda function interfacing with Aurora PostgreSQL via RDS Proxy, which provides connection pooling to minimize database connection overhead. The solution requires a CloudFormation template to provision resources such as a VPC with private subnets, an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster, RDS Proxy, and Secrets Manager. The RDS Proxy is configured with parameters including PostgreSQL engine family, idle client connection timeout, and Secrets Manager secret. A Windows EC2 instance is provisioned, and access is facilitated through AWS Systems Manager Fleet Manager. The solution includes creating a sample table named "employee" in the database and a new .NET Lambda project that utilizes Npgsql for database connections. The Lambda function is deployed using the AWS CLI, and testing involves invoking the function and retrieving logs from Amazon CloudWatch. Finally, resources created during the process should be deleted to prevent ongoing charges.

BetaBeacon

April 14, 2026

An update has been released for the official Android emulator that makes testing multiplayer games and other applications easier, and allows for easier interconnection of multiple virtual devices.

The latest update to the Android Emulator in Android Studio allows multiple instances to coexist on the same virtual Wi-Fi network and interconnect using standard Wi-Fi-based protocols.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

14 tons of Steam Controllers appear to have just arrived in the US, hinting at imminent release date

A shipping manifest leak indicates that a significant delivery of "WIRELESS PC CONTROLLER[s]" has arrived in the U.S. for Valve, weighing 12,970 kg (28,594 lbs) and comprising 40 packages. Estimates suggest there could be over 40,000 units in transit, although it is uncertain if all are the latest Steam Controller. The shipment originated from Taiwan, hinting at the manufacturing location. The new Steam Controller features a dual-stick configuration, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, gyro input, and high-definition rumble. It follows the original Steam Controller, which sold over 1.5 million units before its discontinuation in 2019.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Warhammer Classics brings dozens of lost games to Steam, including my blursed childhood favorite

Warhammer 40,000 Fire Warrior is being released on Steam as part of the Warhammer Classics collection, which includes seven new titles: Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat, Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate, Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War, Warhammer: Dark Omen, and Warhammer: Mark of Chaos - Gold Edition. Additionally, 17 re-releases are coming to the platform, including the first two Dawn of War games and Battlefleet Gothic. The developer and publisher, SNEG, has updated these classic games for compatibility with modern systems. The complete roster of returning titles includes Space Hulk, Space Hulk: Ascension, Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon, Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach, Talisman: Horus Heresy, Talisman: Origins, Man O' War: Corsair - Warhammer Naval Battles, Warhammer Quest, Warhammer Quest 2: The End Times, Legacy of Dorn: Herald of Oblivion, Warhammer Underworlds - Shadespire Edition, Dawn of War, Dawn of War 2, Chainsaw Warrior, Chainsaw Warrior: Lords of Night, Dark Future: Blood Red States, Space Hulk: Tactics, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, Blood Bowl: Chaos Edition, and Blood Bowl 2: Legendary Edition. The collection is available on Steam with a launch discount until April 20.

Tech Optimizer

April 14, 2026

Norton (durch Symantec Übernahme teilweise verknüpft, aber Marke liegt bei Gen Digital. Broadcom i

Norton, owned by Gen Digital, provides antivirus software, VPN services, and identity theft monitoring to protect users from cyber threats such as malware and phishing attacks. The company emphasizes subscription-based revenue through Norton 360, which bundles various security features, ensuring predictable cash flow. Norton competes with other antivirus brands like McAfee and Bitdefender, maintaining a strong market share in North America due to its established brand trust. The demand for cybersecurity tools is driven by rising cyber threats, including ransomware attacks and increased remote work, which necessitate robust online protection. Gen Digital is investing in AI-driven threat detection and expanding its offerings to address evolving security needs. However, Norton faces challenges from free alternatives, potential privacy concerns, and macroeconomic pressures that could affect consumer spending on security products.