Quick overview:
Games can be a great way to pass the time. A break from life where we put our feet up, grab a controller and dive in.
Whether you play video games professionally or as a hobby in your spare time, a good gaming setup can make the difference between a terrible experience or a smooth one.
As many of the latest games come with a host of new features and apps, the technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated. So the question is whether the Windows operating system is solid enough to keep up with the latest enhancements.
The dominance of Windows Gaming
From time to time it is claimed that Windows offers its users the best gaming experience, and not without reason.
Compared to Mac and Linux, Windows offers the best performance and selection of games. But there's more:
The game mode
Unlike many of its contemporaries, Windows offers its players a special game mode to enhance some graphics.
It is primarily used to reduce the input delay, i.e. the time it takes for an input to become visible on the screen.
In addition, the contrast is slightly increased to improve the quality of the environment and textures. Game mode can be easily activated in Windows 10:
- Press Win + G to open the game bar.
- Select the Settings icon in the game bar (as shown in the screenshot below).
- Activate the Game mode checkbox on the General tab.
Some games switch the game mode on automatically. If they do this, the checkbox is already activated.
Support for Xbox games
Microsoft has made it easier for Xbox owners to play console games directly on their PC with the recent introduction of Remote Playability.
For users of the Xbox app on Windows 10, this means they can now have the full experience without needing a separate TV. They can stream games from their console and enjoy them on their PC.
If you want to start streaming games to your Windows 10, you can download the Xbox app from the Windows Store.
With the app, you can not only stream, but also browse the entire Xbox catalog and play your favorite game.
This could be an advantage for those whose computers are not as powerful with Windows 10 and who cannot play games at adequate frame rates. Not forgetting, of course, that you no longer need to connect your console to a separate TV.
VR compatibility
The Oculus Rift VR set will work natively with Windows 10. Windows 10 makes it easy for you to set up, dive in and have an incredible VR gaming experience.
Simply put, Windows 10 is the best solution for playing games on the Oculus Rift because it utilizes all the graphics and performance hardware to achieve the best frame rate.
You can also play Xbox-exclusive games on the Oculus Rift - a feature that is only possible with Windows 10. The best-selling Xbox One games such as Halo, Forza, Sunset Overdrive and others will be available on the Oculus Rift.
With the new Xbox Wireless Adapter, you can play games on the Rift wirelessly with the Xbox One controller.
DirectX
DirectX is the interface between the hardware on your PC and the Windows operating system. Without DirectX, games would not be able to access the hardware of the Windows operating system (components such as video cards, the sound card and the memory).
Microsoft has gone to superfluous lengths to make this operating system the best gaming platform, and the introduction of DirectX has certainly been a big help.
It provides developers with easy and non-technical access to the hardware components so that they can fine-tune and optimize the performance of demanding applications such as games.
Downward compatibility
Similar to its predecessor, Windows 10 has a compatibility mode that tricks applications into thinking they are running on older versions of Windows. This mode is activated automatically as soon as an application that requires it is detected.
Many older Windows desktop programs (from Windows XP and Windows 7) run in this mode without any problems, even if they would not do so otherwise.
What is the verdict?
Regardless of which operating system you choose, it's important to keep in mind what you want to use your PC for, which apps you want to run and how you want to play.
Be it to achieve faster loading times, to improve the frame rate or to reduce the ping in order to be able to use the in Online casinos 2022 to have an advantage.
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