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https://www.theverge.com/news/638967...bypass-blocked Windows 11 is closing a loophole that let you skip making a Microsoft account We’re removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11. This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.
All hope is not yet lost, as of right now the script can be reactivated with a registry edit by opening a command prompt during the initial setup (Press Shift + F10) and running the command:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOB E /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f shutdown /r /t 0”
However, there’s no guarantee Microsoft will allow this additional workaround for long.
My Gen 4 version of Astro A50s died a few weeks ago so I quickly picked up the new gen 5 A50s (now own by Logitech) and the new graphene drivers are nice. I never listened to music on the Gen 4s because the quality wasn't that good but wow these lightweight graphene drivers sound great. Now I'm listening to music more often on my headphones
FYI the price of RAM has spontaneously doubled in the last month. I went a little crazy and bought 96GB of DDR5 CL26 RAM on Sept 30th for $515. Which was already overpriced, now Newegg is now selling it for $1000. The 64GB kit of CL26 is now $600, more than I paid for 96GB
I got a spare kit of mediocre 32GB DDR5 CL40 RAM lying around. I could possibly sell it and get my money back
https://www.theverge.com/news/638967...bypass-blocked Windows 11 is closing a loophole that let you skip making a Microsoft account
We’re removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11. This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.
They backed off of this as this workaround still works in 25H2. Ideally I buy a PC that comes with the Pro version but that doesn't always happen
I finally upgraded one of my monitors to an AOC Q27G40XMN. It's a 1440p 27in 180Hz mini LED with 1152 zones and does HDR1000 for $250. Pretty solid monitor. The 1152 zones significantly reduces any blooming, I don't see any on it. Only downside is small white objects on black background are dim. but if it's an inch or more it should look fine. Oh also 27 1440p is the smallest pixel density I've used on a monitor in at least a decade or more. It's replacing a 24in 1440p TN panel with horrible colors and viewing angles. So this monitor is an upgrade in 10 different ways and a small step back in one.
AOC just released a similarly specced 27in 4k dual mode monitor that does 160Hz in 4k and 320Hz in 1080P. I might replace my 10 year old 27in 4k monitor with it soon.
I've given up on the dream of OLED monitors, I have too much static images, and text legibility is important to me.
Not as a PC monitor. Obviously my Apple devices are OLED, I'm thinking my next TV will be Tandem OLED. My understanding is that it's not bad at 4k but Windows ClearType doesn't support OLED subpixel layouts which can cause little text to look a little weird compared to a typical LCD.That would likely solve the problem. How often do you run the burn in reducing process on it? I have no interest in doing that, that's such a turn off.
This thing gets really bright, much brighter than an OLED, except if the spot is really small. And it's got OLED level blacks, for $250 it's really nice
I finally upgraded one of my monitors to an AOC Q27G40XMN. It's a 1440p 27in 180Hz mini LED with 1152 zones and does HDR1000 for $250. Pretty solid monitor. The 1152 zones significantly reduces any blooming, I don't see any on it. Only downside is small white objects on black background are dim. but if it's an inch or more it should look fine. Oh also 27 1440p is the smallest pixel density I've used on a monitor in at least a decade or more. It's replacing a 24in 1440p TN panel with horrible colors and viewing angles. So this monitor is an upgrade in 10 different ways and a small step back in one.
AOC just released a similarly specced 27in 4k dual mode monitor that does 160Hz in 4k and 320Hz in 1080P. I might replace my 10 year old 27in 4k monitor with it soon.
I've given up on the dream of OLED monitors, I have too much static images, and text legibility is important to me.
Micron to Wind Down Crucial Brand to Focus on AI, Data-Center Market
Micron Technology is shutting down its Crucial consumer business, a move that would allow the company to redirect resources toward large artificial-intelligence and data-center customers demanding more of its memory and storage products.
“Micron has made the difficult decision to exit from the Crucial consumer business to improve supply and support for our larger, strategic customers in faster-growing segments,” Chief Business Officer Sumit Sadana said Wednesday.
Surging demand from hyperscalers investing in AI and cloud infrastructure has lifted Micron’s revenue. It has also prompted the company to increase production capacity, as surging AI workloads have tightened supplies across the memory industry.
Micron said it would stop selling Crucial-branded consumer memory products at the end of February 2026, though it would continue to honor warranties and provide support for existing products. The company would continue supplying Micron-branded enterprise products to commercial-channel customers globally.
The Boise, Idaho, company didn’t disclose how many jobs would be affected by the exit, but said it would attempt to minimize layoffs through redeployment opportunities into existing open roles.
GPU prices have come down a little. You can get a 5070 Ti for MSRP now. Prices are expected to rise so I'm buying a 5070Ti now for MSRP. Should be a great AI improvement with support for 4bit and MXFP4, 16GB VRAM which can run GPToss 20b; and a decent performance increase over my 4070 to help me max out my new 180Hz screen. I was gonna wait for the Super series of GPUs to come out to get one with 24GB VRAM but they've been delayed and prices are probably going to be bad, so I'd rather not wait just to hope to be proven wrong and miss this opportunity.
Last edited by #1 STUNNA; Dec 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM.
Ok the 5070 Ti is great! Holy shit, I turn on every graphic feature in Cyberpunk 2077 and it runs well at 150FPS (with 3x Frame Gen). I'm now playing Ghost of Tsushima with maxed out settings, no DLSS, no frame gen and it's running at 80-100FPS. Also it's a beast a local AI, runs the GPT-oss:20b really fast, it's a huge improvement over my 4070, the extra 4GB VRAM makes a big difference.
So I just sold my 4070 on ebay, I was hoping to sell it for $300-$400, it just sold for $571! WTF!? You can buy a new RTX 5070 for $550, why would you spend more for a used older model. I hope I'm not getting scammed, the buyer has a great ebay history, 100% rating 18k items purchased but I spent the extra $9 to get shipping protection. You can buy a 5070 rn from Newegg for less
I did some research on the buyer, someone with a Russian name, they operate a reselling business (explains why they didn't pay any taxes) that ships worldwide. Maybe they sell to Russians that can't get parts in their country since they resell these parts for a premium or maybe they're hoarding parts expecting prices to increase?
GPU prices have come down a little. You can get a 5070 Ti for MSRP now. Prices are expected to rise so I'm buying a 5070Ti now for MSRP.
Shout out me! Great move. 5070 Ti about to be at least $1000. Rumors are that this model specifically is canceled. Other rumors are that production of the most of the RTX 5000 series cards laptop and desktop, are paused for at least the next 6 months. Nvidia overpromised AI chips and now need to temporarily shutdown RTX GPUs to make more AI chips.
You can buy a new RTX 5070 for $550, why would you spend more for a used older model. I hope I'm not getting scammed, the buyer has a great ebay history, 100% rating 18k items purchased but I spent the extra $9 to get shipping protection. You can buy a 5070 rn from Newegg for less
