Visual Effects Archives

BetaBeacon

September 21, 2026

Android Processor Comparison: Snapdragon, Dimensity, Exynos, and Tensor Explained

An Android processor, commonly called a system-on-chip or SoC, handles many calculations required by a smartphone, including CPU, graphics processing, artificial intelligence hardware, image-processing capabilities, connectivity components, and other technologies. The processor influences the speed of response, gaming performance, and battery efficiency of an Android phone.

Winsage

September 6, 2026

These are the best power settings for your Windows or Mac system

Windows and macOS offer various power management features to optimize energy consumption for both laptop and desktop users. In Windows, users can access power options through Settings > System > Power (for desktops) or System > Power & battery (for laptops). Key features include: - Power Mode options: Best Power Efficiency, Balanced, and Best Performance. - Configurable screen, sleep, and hibernate time-outs to reduce energy use. - Energy Saver mode, which minimizes background activity and dims the display. - Customization of the Power & sleep button controls. In macOS, users can find power settings under System Settings via the Apple menu. Key features include: - Low Power Mode for laptops, which reduces background activity and dims the screen. - Energy Mode options for Macs with Apple Silicon: Low Power, Automatic, and High Power. - Options to prevent automatic sleep and optimize video streaming performance. - Screen time-out settings under Lock Screen to adjust display delay when idle.

Winsage

September 6, 2026

These are the best power settings for your Windows or Mac system

Power management options in Windows and macOS can help extend battery life for laptops and reduce energy consumption for desktops. In Windows 11, users can access power options via Settings > System > Power (for desktops) or System > Power & battery (for laptops). Key settings include Power Mode (Best Power Efficiency, Balanced, Best Performance), screen and sleep time-outs, Energy Saver mode, and Power & sleep button controls. In macOS 27 Golden Gate, users find power settings under System Settings > Energy (for desktops) or Battery (for laptops). Key features include Low Power Mode, Energy Mode options (Low Power, Automatic, High Power) for Apple Silicon Macs, and additional settings under the Options button. Screen time-out settings are found under Lock Screen in System Settings. Adjusting these settings can significantly impact energy usage.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

DLSS 5 can be jammed into almost any PC game, and here’s how

Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission when purchases are made through links in their articles. The Control mod has led to experimentation with DLSS 5 .dll files among gamers, resulting in varied visual outcomes. For example, integrating DLSS 5 into The Blood of Dawnwalker caused visual distortions in characters. The early access version of NBA 2K27 has prompted modders to create game-agnostic versions of DLSS 5, allowing integration into various titles. DLSS 5 can produce impressive visual effects when used correctly, but it significantly impacts performance, potentially reducing frame rates by 50-60%. For instance, using DLSS 5 on an RTX 5090 dropped frame rates from 110 fps to below 50 fps. In Football Manager 26, DLSS 5 improves environmental lighting, pitch details, and player profile pictures. The installation of DLSS 5 can be done through the ReShade HDR Installer from GitHub, simplifying the process. Players can customize DLSS 5 settings in-game using the RenoDX tab. However, there are concerns about how such modifications may affect the original artistic vision of the games.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

RPCS3 emulator devs slam Nvidia DLSS 5 as ‘AI-slop generator’ — says industry pushing ‘more upscalers and frame generation to hallucinate games and hide their lack of optimisation’

Developers at RPCS3 have criticized Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology, calling it an “AI-slop generator.” They noted that some individuals are testing a leaked DLSS 5 DLL on the RPCS3 renderer. The official RPCS3 account stated that they do not support technologies that obscure optimization issues. DLSS 5 is set to officially launch with NBA2K27 and aims to provide advanced neural rendering for improved visual realism. It will feature various AI models and controls for artists, but is resource-intensive and compatible only with RTX 50-series GPUs and GeForce Now. Some modders have managed to use the leaked DLL on older RTX 40-series graphics cards.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Windows XP was released to manufacturing a quarter of a century ago

Windows XP was released to manufacturing on August 24, 2001, marking a shift from the Windows 9x codebase. It succeeded Windows 2000 for professionals and Windows ME for home users, becoming known for its reliability and user-friendly interface. At launch, it was available in two editions: Home and Professional. Extended support ended on April 8, 2014, but it continued to be used in various sectors, including Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, which saw support end in April 2019. Microsoft issued a patch for XP in May 2019 to address vulnerabilities. By the end of 2016, 90 percent of the UK's NHS was still using XP, and the Reserve Bank of India set a 2019 deadline for phasing it out from ATMs. Some in the global banking sector continued to operate on Windows Server 2003. Windows XP became widely available in retail in October 2001.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Announcing new builds for 21 August 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds are being rolled out for users in the Beta and Experimental Channels, addressing an issue with the Feature Flags list. Notable new features include: 1. Modernized Autoplay experience: The AutoPlay dialog has been updated to streamline the selection process for connecting devices. It features a refreshed interface built with WinUI, supports dark mode, and is more responsive to text scaling and display settings. 2. Accessibility setting - "Open apps maximized": This new feature automatically maximizes app windows upon opening, benefiting users of screen readers, magnification tools, and those working in tablet mode. Users can enable it in Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Windows 11’s legacy UI cleanup continues as Microsoft updates one of its oldest dialogs

Microsoft has introduced a revamped AutoPlay dialog box in the latest Windows Insider build, utilizing WinUI for improved performance and visual consistency. The updated AutoPlay interface supports dark mode and retains familiar functionalities, with notifications now docked in the notification center. A new accessibility feature, Open apps maximized, allows application windows to open automatically in a maximized state. Users can manage camera, microphone, and location access for desktop apps on an individual basis, with permissions reviewed in Settings > Privacy & security. Existing app permission decisions remain unchanged. PDF and non-HTML files can now be previewed in File Explorer, and the Microsoft Store update supports in-app purchases in packaged WinUI 3 apps. Recent builds have fixed taskbar animation issues and improved mouse cursor visibility in certain applications. The Settings section has been updated to display version numbers for packaged apps.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

New Windows 11 build brings automatic PDF previews to File Explorer for Insiders

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview builds 26340.9233 (26H2) and 28120.2760 (26H1), featuring enhancements such as automatic PDF preview support in File Explorer and in-app purchase capabilities for WinUI 3 applications in the Microsoft Store. The 26H1 build addresses a bug causing the mouse cursor to be invisible in some applications but has a known compatibility issue that may prevent some users from launching PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. The AutoPlay dialog has been revamped with WinUI, supporting dark mode and improved responsiveness. A new accessibility setting allows apps to open maximized by default, enhancing usability for screen readers and magnification tools. Users can manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop applications, providing more control over privacy. File Explorer now supports automatic previews for PDF and non-HTML files, and the Microsoft Store update allows in-app purchases for packaged WinUI 3 apps. Bug fixes include resolving taskbar animation issues and ensuring visibility of the mouse cursor.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Microsoft Issues Three New Windows Builds to Windows Insider Program

Microsoft has announced that users in the Windows Insider Program enrolled in the Beta, Experimental, or Experimental (26H1) channel should update their systems. The latest Experimental build resolves the issue of an empty Feature Flags list for Insiders in the Experimental channel. Notable features in the new builds include a modernized Autoplay experience with a new dialog built with WinUI, supporting Light and Dark modes, text scaling, and seamless notifications. Additionally, a new accessibility setting ensures that all applications open in a maximized state, found under Accessibility > Visual effects in the Settings app.