Technology

Testing PC games using FEX on a high-end Android tablet can yield playable results — but the early tech is still not ready for prime time

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Apr 20, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

Valve has been developing FEX, a translation layer that converts x86 instructions into ARM64 instructions, to enable ARM-based chips to run PC games. GameNative and other apps are leveraging FEX to allow Android devices to access and play games from the Steam Library. Testing on a high-end Android tablet with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 4 SoC showed mixed results, with Cyberpunk 2077 crashing but Resident Evil 3 running smoothly. The variability in performance between games is attributed to different engines and complexities in translation layers. While FEX shows promise, it still faces challenges like lack of official support from Qualcomm for mainstream games, indicating that mainstream adoption may require further development and refinement.

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MindsEye's sabotage mission is being slammed as dull and pointless

Build A Rocket Boy accuses individuals of sabotaging MindsEye's launch, spending over €1 million on damaging efforts. The studio integrates the controversy into a new in-game mission, Blacklist, to showcase evidence of sabotage to players. However, reports describe the mission as lackluster and failing to deliver a compelling narrative. Critics attribute the launch issues to internal problems, such as management and design decisions, casting doubt on the sabotage claims. The saga continues as MindsEye's post-launch turmoil unfolds.

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Save a huge $400 on this Acer Predator OLED gaming laptop with an RTX 5070 Ti and 32GB DDR5, now under $1,800 — big saving on Helios Neo 16S AI rig that ships with a 24-core Intel CPU, 1TB SSD, and a 240Hz refresh rate

Best Buy is offering a $400 discount on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop, now priced at $1,799.99. This laptop features an RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 16-inch OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, it is designed for high-performance gaming and multitasking. The laptop's slim design includes various ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, and a 1TB SSD. This deal provides a cost-effective option for gamers seeking top-notch specs in a portable package.

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Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum receive clamshell makeover — iconic 8-bit legends join the handheld gaming wars

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Windows 11 KB5083631 out with Xbox mode, faster performance (direct download links .msu)

Windows 11 KB5083631 introduces Xbox mode for regular PCs, a more reliable File Explorer, faster startup apps, and more. This optional update can be downloaded via Windows Update or through direct download links provided by Microsoft. The update includes early features from Microsoft's Windows K2 project aimed at enhancing Windows 11. Xbox mode brings a console-like gaming experience to Windows 11, optimized for controllers. Additionally, File Explorer improvements ensure consistent folder views across applications.

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