Disabling Windows 11 security settings gives a major speed boost to Intel GPUs
Cast your mind back a month, and you may recall that Microsoft shared something of a surprising tip for gamers -- by disabling some security features of Window 11, it is possible to boost game performance. Well, it seems there is more to this tip than this.
People with systems featuring Intel's Arc discrete GPUs found that disabling the same security settings increased performance quite dramatically. And we are talking about measurable increases of thousands of points in benchmarking tool 3DMark.
Used Xbox Game Bar to capture footage? Microsoft is blocking you from upgrading to Windows 11 2022 Update
Since the release of Window 11 2022 Update, Microsoft has implemented numerous compatibility holds to prevent certain users from upgrading. The latest block is something of a strange one, having been applied to anyone who has previously used the capture feature in the Xbox Game Bar app.
While Microsoft has fixed the issue with the KB5018496 update, this is currently only available in preview and will not get a proper release until later in the month.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE proves PC gamers no longer need Microsoft Windows 11
Chromebooks sure have come a long way. What was once merely a glorified web browser running atop meager hardware has morphed into a legitimate Windows alternative for home, education, and business use. You can even get Chromebooks with high-quality hardware these days. Thanks to cloud-based video-game-streaming, Chromebooks can serve as gaming computers nowadays too.
Today, Acer launches its first-ever Chromebook designed specifically for gamers. Powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core processor and equipped with at least 8GB of RAM, the 16-inch Acer Chromebook 516 GE should be perfect for game-streaming platforms like NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna to name a few. And yes, this Chrome OS laptop has an RGB keyboard.
Microsoft says that gamers can boost performance by lowering Windows 11 security settings
It is not very often we are told to disable security features -- usually, we're enabling options, or leaving things well alone. But now Microsoft has issued some advice about improving game performance in Windows 11, and it involves turning off security features of the operating system.
The somewhat surprising advice comes in a support document entitled Options to Optimize Gaming Performance in Windows 11. Microsoft does point out, however, that this is meant to be done only when gaming, and that security should be re-enabled afterwards.
There are already problems with Windows 11 2022 Update for NVIDIA users
It is mere days since Microsoft started the rollout of Windows 11 2022 Update, but there are already reports of issues from people who have updated. Some owners of systems with NVIDIA GPUs are reporting a serious reduction in gaming performance after installing the update.
Reddit and Microsoft community forums are littered with complaints from gamers who have installed Windows 11 2022 Update and found that framerates in games have been slashed by over 87 percent in some cases. Major drops in CPU usage are also leading to stuttering game performance.
Massive GTA VI video leak reveals the secrets of Rockstar Games' upcoming release
Over the weekend, a user from the GTAForums leaked 90 videos showing gameplay footage from the yet-to-be-release Grand Theft Auto VI. Someone by the name of teapotuberhacker -- who also claims to be responsible for the recent Uber hack -- shared 3GB of data and said that more could be leaked soon.
GTA developer Rockstar Games has confirmed that the leak is genuine, and the videos are surprisingly revealing. The footage is from a test build of GTA VI comprising "GTA 5 and 6 source code and assets" and shows that there will be multiple playable characters, including a female player.
Valve bans developer from Steam for using game update notes to share transphobic rant
The developer of the game Domina, Nicholas Gorissen, has received a permanent ban from Valve's Steam platform after publishing an anti trans diatribe in the notes accompanying a game update.
Gorissen, also known as Bignic, used the release notes for an update to his Roman gladiator sim Domina to attack the transgender community. In addition to a general anti-trans rant, he also personally attacked a prominent transgender game streamer. In response, Valve has removed all titles published by his company, Dolphin Barn Incorporated.
Microsoft leaps to its own defense as anti-competition concerns mount about Activision Blizzard takeover
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) -- the competition regulator in the UK -- has voiced concern about Microsoft's proposed takeover of game publisher Activision Blizzard.
The CMA is worried that the merger of two such huge companies in a $68.7 billion deal "could substantially lessen competition in gaming consoles, multi-game subscription services, and cloud gaming services". Windows 11 maker Microsoft, it almost goes without saying, entirely disagrees, and Phil Spencer, CEO of gaming at the company, has penned a blog post explaining just why this it.
Samsung unveils 34-inch Odyssey OLED G8 ultra-wide gaming monitor
PC gamers know how great a curved monitor can be. These displays create a superior gaming experience, allowing the game-player to be immersed in the gameplay. Not to mention, a curved monitor appears very attractive when sitting on a desk -- it simply looks cool.
Today, Samsung unveils one of the most beautiful curved displays ever. Called "Odyssey OLED G8," this 34-inch OLED monitor features a 3,440 x 1,440 QHD resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio, 175Hz refresh, 0.1ms response, and AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility. And yes, there is RGB lighting on the rear, because... gaming!
Logitech G502 X gaming mouse now available for pre-order
Logitech's G502 gaming mouse is iconic and popular, and now, the company is refreshing it with a special "X" moniker. The Logitech "G502 X," as it is called, can be pre-ordered immediately, and there are three variants from which to choose -- wired, wireless, and plus.
The wired version, as you can guess, connects to your PC using a USB cable. While some consumers will consider a wired mouse to be inferior, I actually prefer it -- there is no battery to recharge. Both the wireless and plus models connect without a cable thanks to the included LIGHTSPEED USB-A dongle. They both charge over USB-C, but only the plus variant has RGB lighting.
System76 Oryx Pro gets Intel Core i7-12700H and GeForce RTX 3070/3080 Ti
If you want a thin and light Linux laptop, there are plenty of options on the market these days, including the excellent HP Dev One. A svelte laptop is ideal for those that travel often and highly value having something lightweight.
Some consumers, however, don't care about the heft of a Linux laptop at all. These performance-junkies want hardcore specifications... weight be damned! For these folks, the System76 Oryx Pro has long been an excellent option. This hefty portable workstation is a great choice for both gamers and enthusiasts.
Wordle finally offers to sync your game stats between devices
Word-guessing game Wordle took the world by storm, so it was little surprise when it was snapped up by a big name -- the New York Times. There were promises that the game would not be changed and that it would remain free, and players raised a collective eyebrow skeptically.
Anyone playing the game in the last few days will probably have noticed something. While the NYT is not going back on the promises it made, players are being encouraged to create a New York Times account. The carrot being dangled as an incentive is the ability to have game statistics synchronized between devices.
Gamers can fart into CORSAIR's TC200 gaming chairs while playing games
What is the purpose of a chair? Well, it is primarily designed to give your legs and back a break from standing. It works by cradling your buttocks and providing support for your back. Many people use chairs daily, for things like relaxing, working, and more.
Believe it or not, some companies even sell chairs that are specifically designed for playing video games. Called "gaming chairs" they often have a specific "racing" aesthetic that appeals to young men. Of course, women can use them too.
PATRIOT launches VIPER VPR400 RGB M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4 SSD for gamers
M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4 solid state drives are nothing new -- there are plenty of them on the market. However, a Gen 4x4 SSD with RGB lighting is apparently non-existent -- until now, that is.
Today, Patriot launches the all-new VPR400 M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4 SSD under its popular VIPER sub-brand which is designed for gamers. The company claims it is the world's first M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4 SSD with RGB lighting. While there are a bunch of M.2 PCIe Gen 3x4 drives with RGB, as far as I can tell, this might really be the first 4x4 variant with that feature.
Lexar SL660 BLAZE Gaming Portable SSD features RGB lighting
How do you make a portable SSD a "gaming" drive? Just add RGB lighting, of course! Today, Lexar launches a new solid state drive that it claims is designed for gaming. Is that just marketing? Yes and no. Called "SL660 BLAZE," the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 SSD features RGB lighting and comes with a really cool stand to prop it up. While the drive itself has a USB-C connector, it comes with both a USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cable in the box.
Besides the RGB lighting gimmick (which is very cool), the SL660 BLAZE actually can benefit gamers that need to store games on both PC and console. The drive offers respectable read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,900MB/s. Of course, the drive can be used by anyone that wants a fast and attractive SSD -- it isn't just limited to gaming.
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