Browsing: Hardware

Windows 11 appears to include a hidden driver, nvmedisk.sys, which could substantially improve NVMe SSD performance. This new driver, designed to replace the outdated disk.sys, offers a more direct interface with modern storage, leading to faster read/write speeds. While promising, users are advised to exercise caution before attempting to enable it manually due to potential system instability.

Intel’s upcoming high-end “Battlemage” discrete graphics card, identified as the “BMG-G31” SKU, has appeared in a recent VTune Profiler software update. This development suggests the GPU is nearing its official reveal, with reports indicating it will feature 32 Xe2 cores, 16GB GDDR6 memory, and a 300W TDP.

CPU overclocking, once a popular method for gaining extra performance, is generally no longer recommended for most users in 2026. Modern processors offer less headroom for manual adjustments, come with inherent risks, and already feature advanced auto-overclocking capabilities, making the minimal performance gains often not worth the potential instability or hardware degradation.

For serious traders, a high-performance computer is essential. This guide explores the critical components and considerations for building or buying a trading PC designed for speed, reliability, and extensive multi-monitor support, ensuring your hardware keeps pace with the demands of real-time market analysis.

AMD has discreetly added a new low-power variant to its RDNA 4 lineup, the Radeon RX 9060 XT Low-Power. This graphics card maintains the core specifications of the standard model but reduces its total board power (TBP) to 140W, making it suitable for systems with limited power supplies. The silicon configuration remains unchanged, suggesting performance adjustments through clock speeds rather than core reductions.

Hard disk drive (HDD) prices have seen a notable increase, marking the sharpest rise in two years, primarily driven by surging demand from AI companies and specific enterprise sectors. While SSDs dominate consumer markets, HDDs are experiencing a resurgence for large-scale data archiving and AI model training, particularly in regions like China. This trend is expected to continue, potentially impacting consumer pricing and supply as manufacturers prioritize high-capacity enterprise solutions.

Micron is discontinuing its consumer-facing Crucial brand by February 2026, ending a 29-year presence in the PC memory and storage market. This strategic move reallocates manufacturing capacity to meet the high demand for enterprise-grade memory in AI data centers, though Micron assures continued warranty support for existing Crucial products.