Pre-Built PCs Are About to get MUCH Worse - WAN Show October 1, 2021

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centered on Windows 11’s virtualization-based security (VBS) potentially cutting gaming performance up to ~25%, with concern that it may become mandatory on some prebuilt systems. The hosts also discussed Valve’s rumored standalone VR headset, Linux gaming improvements via DLSS support, Amazon’s privacy-heavy new home devices, and Steam’s controversial move to block game version rollbacks. The show also covered the Linux daily-drive challenge, distro choices, and smaller hardware/business updates.

Main Topics: Windows 11 VBS may reduce gaming performance (Priority: 5/5): The hosts analyze PC Gamer’s testing of Windows 11’s virtualization-based security feature, explaining how VBS works, why it improves security, and why it can significantly reduce GPU performance and power draw in some games. Linux daily-drive challenge and distro selection (Priority: 4/5): Linus and Luke plan to switch their daily-driver PCs to Linux, with the community helping choose a distro. They debate ease of use, gaming compatibility, and the tradeoffs between distros like Pop!_OS, Mint, Arch, Ubuntu, and others. Valve’s rumored standalone VR headset (Deckard) (Priority: 4/5): They discuss reporting and patent clues suggesting Valve is building a standalone VR headset, likely wireless and positioned as a possible successor or companion to the Index. Amazon’s new home surveillance-style devices (Priority: 4/5): The hosts react skeptically to Amazon’s Astro robot, Home Cam, Ring Virtual Security Guard, Glow, and Echo Show 15, framing them as invasive, expensive, and privacy-concerning consumer devices. Linux gaming gains DLSS support (Priority: 3/5): NVIDIA and Valve are bringing DLSS to Linux via Proton, which could improve performance for Linux gamers, especially at higher resolutions, and strengthen the platform’s gaming viability. Steam blocking game version rollbacks (Priority: 3/5): Linus criticizes Steam’s apparent plan to remove the ability to roll back games to prior versions, arguing it harms modders and troubleshooting workflows for games like Beat Saber. Miscellaneous hardware and industry news (Priority: 2/5): The show briefly covers the Noctua/ASUS RTX 3070 collaboration, Silicon Lottery shutting down, and the Dune PC case still not shipping despite earlier coverage.

Key Arguments: VBS can meaningfully improve security by isolating sensitive processes, but its performance cost in games may be severe enough to matter to gamers. The measured impact appears tied more to power draw reduction than just benchmark noise, suggesting a real throughput loss rather than a measurement artifact. Custom-built PCs may avoid some Windows 11 requirements, creating an odd split between prebuilt and DIY systems. Linux gaming is becoming more practical thanks to Proton and DLSS, but usability friction and launcher compatibility still matter for daily use. Valve’s Deckard could succeed if it leverages Steam Deck-related hardware and Valve’s track record, but pricing and bandwidth/latency tradeoffs are major unknowns. Amazon’s new devices look less like helpful consumer products and more like surveillance tools dressed as convenience features. Removing rollback support from Steam would be a major regression for modding, troubleshooting, and preservation of working game builds.

Data Points: Windows 11 VBS performance loss: up to 25% on average - Initial headline claim discussed at the top of the show Far Cry New Dawn FPS loss: 5% - PC Gamer test result cited during VBS discussion Horizon Zero Dawn FPS loss: ~25% - PC Gamer test result cited during VBS discussion Metro Exodus FPS loss: 24% - PC Gamer test result cited during VBS discussion Shadow of the Tomb Raider FPS loss: 28% - PC Gamer test result cited during VBS discussion 3DMark Time Spy FPS loss: 10% - Benchmark result cited as less representative than real games Deckard announcement timeline speculation: within 6 months - Based on Brad Lynch’s interpretation of Valve repository and patent clues Steam Deck-related SDK/compatibility timing: Vulkan support this month; DirectX support in the fall - Mentioned in the context of Proton/DLSS support rollout Amazon Astro price: $1,500 - Cost of Amazon’s mobile home robot Amazon Home Cam price: $250 - Security drone price mentioned in the Amazon devices roundup Amazon Glow price: $250 - Children-focused video calling device with projector Echo Show 15 price: $250 - Large smart display announced by Amazon LTT backpack delivery timing: months - Shipping delayed due to logistics issues and supply constraints Silicon Lottery ordering deadline: October 31, 2021 - Online store remaining open until this date Silicon Lottery delid processing deadline: November 30, 2021 - Outstanding delidding orders accepted if CPUs arrive by this date

Pivotal Quotes: "I think taking an RTX 3080 that someone paid $8,000 for and hacking off 25% of the performance constitutes a partial brick." — Linus: Explaining why VBS-induced performance losses are serious for gamers "The thing is, even a tech-savvy company like us, people can easily make mistakes." — Linus: Discussing phishing risk and why security tools like Graphus matter "It seriously seems like so many of the recent things that they've been working on are just all of the things that you would try to make if you just wanted to abuse your power in every way you possibly could." — Linus: Reacting to Amazon’s home-surveillance-style product lineup

Implications: Gamers may need to watch Windows 11 security defaults closely, especially on prebuilt PCs, while Linux gaming becomes more viable but still imperfect. Valve’s hardware and Steam policy choices could reshape VR and modding ecosystems, and Amazon’s devices reinforce growing privacy concerns around smart-home tech.