Articles about Gaming

With Windows 11 now available for more people to download and install, more and more problems are starting to emerge. We've already seen a short list of known issues, and users have already complained of high memory usage by File Explorer.

Another issue that is causing some annoyance is an apparent reduction in gaming performance under Windows 11.  The slowdown is measurable in benchmarks and has been blamed on the Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) and Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) security features.

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Remember mouse pads? If you are an older computer user you surely do, but younger folks may have never seen one before. You see, back in the day, mice had a little rubber ball in the bottom that made it work. A mouse pad was a piece of material that went on your desk (and then under your mouse) to make the ball roll better and possibly help keep it clean.

With the invent of optical and laser mice -- and the ultimate death of the aforementioned rubber ball -- mouse pads largely became unnecessary. After all, the new mice often worked perfectly fine on the surface of a desk without such a pad (except, maybe, for glass).

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The Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, and since then, the video game console has been a runaway success. Its ability to serve as both a portable and home game machine has contributed to its popularity, but also, the COVID-19 pandemic likely increased sales too. You see, as people were stuck in quarantine, many of them turned to the Nintendo Switch and popular games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

As great as the Nintendo Switch is, the system is definitely not perfect. For instance, it is underpowered compared to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Not to mention, many consumers consider the controllers to be defective, as the thumb-sticks often develop "drift" and lose accuracy. One of the oddest deficiencies, however, is the lack of Bluetooth audio. This was a very curious thing, as the Switch supported the wireless standard, just not for sound.

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When you are a hardcore gamer, having quality gear can really matter. Players need to carefully select high-end mice, keyboards, headsets, and more if they are going to compete -- especially on a professional level. Many elite gamers choose Logitech G for their hardware needs, and it is not hard to see why; Logitech's gaming brand has consistently released high-quality gear for several years.

Today, Logitech announces the G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset. As the name suggests, this wireless headset utilizes Logitech's excellent LIGHTSPEED technology -- the company's proprietary low-latency wireless solution that minimizes many of the issues gamers have with Bluetooth. If you do need Bluetooth connectivity, however, don't worry -- G435 offers that too. What's notable about G435 is Logitech's focus on sustainability -- the headset and its packaging are partially comprised of recycled materials. This is a big win for the environment.

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Headsets are an important part of the online multiplayer gaming experience these days. They allow you to communicate with teammates -- or opponents -- depending on the game. Even for offline single player games, a quality headset can usually provide superior audio compared to many low-quality computer speakers. They can also be used for music and movies, obviously.

Today, JBL kaunches an all-new premium wireless headset. Called "Quantum 350," it is designed for gamers. In fact, JBL brags that it is Discord-certified. Privacy enthusiasts should adore the detachable microphone. Best of all, it is surprisingly affordable, costing less than $100.

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If you are an Xbox fan, there's a good chance you already own one of Microsoft's newest game consoles. Whether it is Xbox Series S or X, both gaming systems play the same games, but the latter is more powerful than the former. With all of that said, the latest Xbox consoles can still be hard to buy due to low supply and high demand. The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely contributed to this.

For those of you that still don't have one of the latest consoles, today, Microsoft unveils an insanely cool new variant of the Xbox Series X. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the much-respected Halo franchise, the Windows 11-maker announces a new Limited Edition Halo Infinite Xbox Series X ($549.99) will launch on November 15. It comes with a digital copy of the upcoming Halo Infinite game. In addition, the company is selling a Halo Infinite Limited Edition Elite Series 2 controller ($199.99). While pre-orders have largely sold out already, you can still score a Halo Infinite Xbox Series X pre-order today.

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For those of you that build your own desktop computers, you know that the brands you choose matter. For instance, if you opt for an unknown company for your RAM, power supply, or storage, there is a very good chance you will run into problems. This is why I always recommend sticking with reputable brands -- saving a few bucks is never worth it if you end up troubleshooting crashes.

PNY is a company that has been around for a long time, and its products are generally very reliable. Today, PNY launches new memory under its popular "XLR8" gaming brand. Available in 2666MHz, 3200MHz, and 3600MHz speeds, this RAM is notable for being low-profile despite the inclusion of heat-spreaders. In other words, if your gaming PC build is tight for space and can't accommodate taller sticks, this low-profile option could prove to be wonderful.

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For those of you that build your own desktop computers, you know that choosing the right brand really matters. For instance, if you opt for an unknown company for your RAM, power supply, or storage, there is a very good chance you will run into problems. This is why I always recommend sticking with reputable brands -- saving a few bucks is never worth it if you end up having to troubleshoot crashes.

Lexar is a trustworthy company that has been around for a long time. The company is most known for its quality memory products. Today, Lexar launches beautiful new DDR4 memory that both creators and gamers should absolutely adore. Called "HADES," the RAM comes equipped with attractive RGB heat spreaders and is offered in both 3200MHz and 3600MHz speeds.

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When you are a PC builder, there are peaks and valleys when it comes to excitement about components. What I mean by this is, sometimes you are building machines with cutting edge parts as an early adopter, while other times you are using ho-hum components that have been around a while. For instance, we have been using DDR4 memory for about seven years now... boring!

On the horizon, thankfully, is the DDR5 revolution. After dealing with DDR4 for so many years now, we will soon see PCs with DDR5 memory inside. One of the companies leading this industry shift is PNY, and today, that company shares its plans to launch DDR5 RAM products later in the year.

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Is the Sony PlayStation 5 better than the Xbox Series X? Absolutely. It has better exclusive games, a more futuristic design, and quite frankly, a much better name too. I mean, Series X? Microsoft has begun mocking its own ridiculous naming scheme lately.

Thanks to a new firmware update (currently in beta) you can finally expand the PlayStation 5's internal storage too, using an ultra-fast NVMe SSD. And now, TEAMGROUP is releasing a new such M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5. It is called "T-FORCE CARDEA A440 Pro Special 5eries," and no, the word "Series" being stylized with a 5 is not a typo -- it is a clever way to indicate it is designed for the PS5.

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It feels like just yesterday that Logitech bought Blue Microphones, but believe it or not, it has been about three years already! In that time, Logitech has integrated Blue technologies into some of its products, such as the G PRO X gaming headset.

And now, in a synergistic move, Logitech is launching a special "Blue Icepop" microphone upgrade for its own Logitech G PRO headset and the Astro A40 headset. If you aren't familiar, Logitech also owns Astro Gaming. This product is rather clever -- I never thought of upgrading the removeable microphone on an existing headset, but it totally makes sense.

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Some names transport you back to the past, and this is certainly true of 3dfx. It is now two decades since the graphics card maker went bankrupt and was swallowed by NVIDIA.

But now it seems that the company is rising from the dead. Over the weekend, a Twitter account for 3dfx Interactive appeared and started posting some interesting tweets. First, there is at the promise of a "major announcement regarding our return this Thursday" (August 5), followed by a poll asking people if they'd like to see a new 3dfx Voodoo card. So, what's going on?

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Monoprice is a brand that in-the-know shoppers have come to love and respect. The company offers quality products at very affordable prices, including things like cables, headphones, mice, and more. If you are shopping while on a budget, you definitely need to check out the company's offerings -- including for PC gaming.

Today, Monoprice launches its latest computer monitor under its Dark Matter gaming brand. Model number 42892, as it is unimaginatively named, is a 27-inch QHD display with 180Hz refresh and a Sharp-made IGZO panel.

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There are two curved displays in my home -- a computer monitor in my office and a television in my living room. Both look stylish, but truth be told, the curve doesn't make any difference when watching TV. Since I sit far back from the television, the curve doesn't add any benefit. On the computer monitor where I sit much closer, however, the curvature lends to a more immersive experience. I can't recommend curved computer monitors enough -- for both gaming and productivity.

Today, Samsung announces its latest monitor, and it is very special. Called "Odyssey Neo G9," the 49-inch display is significant for being the first-ever curved gaming monitor to use Mini LED technology.

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Battlefield 2042 is one of the most highly anticipated video games, and it is due out later this year. It is currently scheduled for an October 22 release, but as we all know, these dates can be pushed back due to unforeseen issues. With that said, I am pretty confident Electronic Arts will meet this deadline, and Battlefield 2042 will prove to be one of the hottest Christmas gifts this year.

If you want to ensure you get your copy of Battlefield 2042 and that your PC's storage can load it quickly, Western Digital has a special bundle you must check out. You see, the company has launched a special Battlefield 2042 variant of its WD_Black SN750 SE NVMe SSD. Not only does it comes with a redeemable download code for the game, but it is emblazoned with really cool Battlefield 2042 branding.

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