Drivers
Ongoing coverage on Drivers.
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Windows update that breaks some multiplayer games linked to our desire for gaming PCs that light up all the colors of…
A recent Windows update, specifically KB5121003, has caused instability and crashes in several multiplayer games, including Arc Raiders, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Microsoft and Embark Studios have identified a driver named inpoutx64.sys, often associated with RGB lighting components, as the likely cause. Microsoft is investigating the issue and has provided a registry edit to disable the driver as a temporary workaround, though this may affect RGB functionality.
Are your PC games crashing after the latest Windows 11 update? Microsoft is investigating whether a nasty new bug is the…
Microsoft is investigating reports that its latest Windows 11 update is causing PC games like Arc Raiders, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals to crash. The issue appears to be related to drivers for peripherals with RGB lighting, potentially conflicting with anti-cheat software. Workarounds include uninstalling the update or manually removing the problematic driver file.
If your AMD chipset drivers are mysteriously failing to install like mine, you'll need to manually update instead
Users experiencing issues with AMD's chipset driver installation manager can resolve the problem by manually downloading and installing the drivers from a separate package. The AMD Install Manager has been failing for many users, but a manual update package is available on the release notes page.
Someone has already got a regular Nvidia graphics card working on Windows on Arm thanks to RTX Spark drivers, though gaming performance doesn't yet look ideal
A developer has successfully implemented an Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card on Windows on Arm using a driver based on Nvidia's RTX Spark technology. While initial gaming performance, demonstrated with the Black Myth: Wukong benchmark, is significantly lower than on standard Windows, the achievement marks a significant step towards broader GPU support for the Arm platform.
Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam machine, y'know for the three people who managed to buy one and…
Valve has released official Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to switch from SteamOS to Microsoft's operating system. This move aims to increase game compatibility, particularly for online shooters, though dual-booting is not yet supported. Users will need an Ethernet connection for initial Windows product key entry as Wi-Fi drivers are installed later.
If you're a sicko, you can now run Windows on the Steam Machine
Valve has released official Windows 11 drivers for the Steam Machine, enabling full hardware support for Microsoft's operating system on the device. While this allows users to install Windows 11 and gain wider compatibility with PC storefronts and services like Xbox Game Pass, it requires wiping the existing SteamOS. The release is seen as a potential precursor to dual-booting functionality, which could make the Steam Machine a more competitive console-like PC hybrid.
Is SteamOS ready to replace Windows? I installed it so you don’t have to
This article explores whether SteamOS is a viable replacement for Windows in PC gaming. Despite its potential for a console-like experience, the author found that SteamOS is still in beta for most systems and requires significant technical expertise to install and troubleshoot, particularly concerning driver support and networking issues. While it may appeal to DIY enthusiasts, it is not yet ready for the average gamer.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
NVIDIA's GeForce 610.47 driver update has introduced stuttering issues for users of its G-Sync technology on PC. The update appears to break smooth motion playback for affected users.
Intel Arc G-Series processors announced for next-gen handheld gaming PCs
Intel has officially announced its new Intel Arc G-Series processors, designed for next-generation handheld gaming PCs. These processors, including the G3 and G3 Extreme, build upon the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 and feature Intel Arc B390 graphics. Hardware launches featuring these chips are expected in the coming months from manufacturers like Acer, MSI, and OneXPlayer.
The Nvidia Control Panel is no more, an ex-control panel, kicked the bucket, run down the curtain and joined the choir…
Nvidia is retiring its classic Nvidia Control Panel after 20 years of service, replacing it with the new Nvidia App. While existing installations will remain functional unless a clean install is performed, the Control Panel will no longer receive updates or new features. The company states the Nvidia App offers modern functionality and improved efficiency.
Pragmata is yet another launch day fail for Intel's GPUs, but its quick response to game issues shows it's…
Intel has released a new graphics driver, version 32.0.101.8735, to address application crashes in the game Pragmata. This update specifically targets issues encountered by users with Intel Arc A-series, B-series, and Core Ultra Series GPUs. While this driver resolves Pragmata-related crashes, known issues with other games like The Finals, Fortnite, and Crimson Desert persist.
Honest Thoughts After 3 Years of PC Gaming - What Nobody Tells You at the Start
This guide offers insights for PC gamers after three years of experience, emphasizing that hardware components beyond the GPU, such as CPU, RAM, and storage, significantly impact performance. It advises balancing frame rate and resolution based on game type and optimizing game settings by prioritizing texture quality over demanding options like shadows to achieve a good visual-to-performance ratio. The article also suggests checking community feedback before updating drivers to avoid potential issues.
SteamOS 3.7.20 released with NTSync driver, plus big new Steam Client update for all
Valve has released stable updates for SteamOS and the Steam Client. SteamOS 3.7.20 introduces the NTSync driver, which aims to improve synchronization primitives for Windows games on Linux. The Steam Client update adds features like hardware spec attachment to user reviews, anonymized framerate data collection, and various fixes for library management, chat, remote play, and accessibility.
AMD Reportedly Pauses Ryzen Z1 Drivers — Bad News for Gaming Handhelds
AMD has reportedly halted driver development for its Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme chipsets, impacting gaming handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally. This decision leaves owners of these devices with outdated software, potentially leading to performance issues and a lack of support for new games. The move raises concerns about planned obsolescence in the burgeoning Windows handheld market.
AMD reportedly pauses Ryzen Z1 drivers for gaming handhelds
Owners of AMD Ryzen Z1-powered handheld gaming PCs, including the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally, are experiencing concerns over a potential pause in driver updates. Reports suggest that driver releases for the Ryzen Z1 platform may have slowed or stopped, leading to users relying on older versions and Windows Update. This situation raises questions about long-term support for these devices.
