Category: Software

AV2 video for everyone: Dav2d decoder will play it even on older PCs

News, Software, Technology | | Jan Olšan

The problem with new video formats is their performance requirements as that they generally assume playback via dedicated hardware. The catch is that it often takes years before such decoders appear in GPUs and processors, leaving all devices purchased before then without support. Fortunately, the new AV2 format should remain accessible even on older devices thanks to the work of open-source developers behind the VLC media player. Read more “AV2 video for everyone: Dav2d decoder will play it even on older PCs” »

Linux is getting optimized for better gaming on low VRAM GPUs

Graphics, News, Software | | Jan Olšan

It seems the extremely high memory prices caused by the current AI boom will yet again prolong the rule of 8GB memory in the mainstream graphics cards segment and we’ll have to live with them for far longer. Perhaps that’s why Linux developers have currently come up with improvements for such GPUs. 8GB is also the graphics memory capacity of the upcoming Steam Machine, which will be another beneficiary of such optimizations. Read more “Linux is getting optimized for better gaming on low VRAM GPUs” »

RAM errors causing PC crashes are far more common than assumed

Memory, News, Software | | Jan Olšan

When your web browser or a game crashes, you are likely to consider it a bug in that software. In reality, however, you may have faulty or unstable system memory without even knowing it. Unlike HDDs or SSDs, data in RAM is not protected against corruption. And it appears that unstable memory can silently cause computer trouble far more often than we think, potentially even putting your valuable data at risk. Read more “RAM errors causing PC crashes are far more common than assumed” »

Windows 11 gets hardware disk encryption on Intel Panther Lake

Notebooks, Processors, Software | | Jan Olšan

In December, Microsoft promised that Windows 11 would focus on performance, including in games, during 2026. One of the coming optimizations concerns disk encryption. Microsoft currently uses software algorithms for BitLocker disk encryption, which have certain performance limitations and can increase laptop power consumption. This year, Windows will gain more efficient hardware accelerated encryption—but there is a complication. Read more “Windows 11 gets hardware disk encryption on Intel Panther Lake” »

Cinebench 2026

Cinebench 2026 is here: New benchmark especially suited to Ryzen

News, Processors, Software | | Jan Olšan

Perhaps the most popular benchmark in reviews and CPU performance measurements is Cinebench, which simulates 3D rendering in Maxon’s professional Cinema 4D software and can be used as a metrics for comparing CPUs. Since version R23, it also benchmarks Apple Arm processors. Maxon has now released a new version, Cinebench 2026, which works better with the latest processors and GPUs and also includes an interesting new mode. Read more “Cinebench 2026 is here: New benchmark especially suited to Ryzen” »

OCCT V15 adds graphics cards coil whine detection feature

Graphics, News, Software | | Jan Olšan

Gamers are likely familiar with so-called coil whine, an unpleasant phenomenon where your graphics card emits tweeting sounds under some loads. It’s especially bothersome with quiet cooling, in which case these sounds—caused by vibrating coils in the VRMs—can get downright grating. OCCT now offers a way to test your graphics card for coil whine, which could be useful when analysing if a PSU replacement might help you, for example. Read more “OCCT V15 adds graphics cards coil whine detection feature” »

Free games daily on Epic Games Store during Christmas: Final game

News, Software | | Jan Olšan

If you’re into PC games, you’ll know that Epic Games Store, a sort of smaller competitor to Steam, gives away a free game every week. But it goes overdrive around Christmas, as these games are cycled daily during the holidays. And it’s the same this year, with Epic now giving away 16 different games until January, which you can get completely free of charge. The event has started, and each opportunity is only open for 24 hours. Read more “Free games daily on Epic Games Store during Christmas: Final game” »

Windows 11 requirements dropped? Unfortunately, it’s not true

Motherboards, News, Processors, Software | | Jan Olšan

Unfortunately, in this case it comes down to the saying that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Reports have appeared on the web reporting that Microsoft has changed its mind about Windows 11’s strict requirements and will allow installation on older computers without a TPM. This would save a lot of older PCs running Windows 10. No such luck though, these rumors are just a misunderstanding of old documents. Read more “Windows 11 requirements dropped? Unfortunately, it’s not true” »

Krita with Free AI Diffusion: When Photoshop Doesn’t Pay Off

Graphics, Guides, Software | | Adam Vágner

The rise of AI models for content generation has been meteoric. Practical scenarios for using AI in everyday work are emerging alongside sample applications. Highlights include online services or Photoshop’s AI tools for advanced photo editing. However, not everyone wants to pay a subscription fee. We’ll explore what the open-source graphics editor Krita lets users achieve with free local AI models and how to run them on a gaming graphics card. Read more “Krita with Free AI Diffusion: When Photoshop Doesn’t Pay Off” »

Interview with HWiNFO creator. Arrow Lake? Remember to update

Interview, Software | | Ľubomír Samák

We sat down for a interview with the author of one of the most widely used diagnostic tools for monitoring computer hardware. Martin Malík talked about the ins and outs of HWiNFO. Although he doesn’t consider data processing to be rocket science himself, this article will certainly broaden the horizons of the average user. By the way, do you know what HWiNFO has in common with HWCooling? For example, the country of origin – Slovakia. Read more “Interview with HWiNFO creator. Arrow Lake? Remember to update” »