Gaming

System overhead—the CPU, memory, and disk resources consumed by background services—is a critical factor for any gaming PC. For Kiwi gamers looking to maximise their system’s potential, understanding and managing these processes can make the difference between smooth, immersive gameplay and frustrating performance bottlenecks. While these services are useful for everyday computing, they can reduce frame rates (FPS), increase input lag, and contribute to overheating during intense gaming sessions.

After the success of CS:GO, no one expected any other FPS game to be able to break the market, until VALORANT came on the scene. For Kiwi gamers looking to climb the competitive ladder, the tactical shooter has quickly become one of the most exciting esports titles in the region. Precision, reaction time, and split-second decision-making are crucial if you want to do well in the game. Whilst your own skills are imperative, you still need the hardware to support your goals. With high frame rates, optimised peripherals, and reduced input lag, you can give yourself the competitive advantage that will take your skills to the next level.

The ray tracing revolution isn’t something to dream about anymore. It’s here, and it’s as beautiful as everyone anticipated. For gamers across New Zealand, from Auckland to Christchurch, the conversation has shifted from “does it have ray tracing” to “how well does it run with ray tracing”. This technology that replicates the natural behaviour of light has paved the way for hyper-realistic scenery, becoming the new benchmark for visual fidelity in gaming. But what does that mean for Kiwi gamers?

Manual tweaking eats hours. Sliders, toggles, and hidden menus multiply for every game. OMEN AI removes that busywork by applying intelligent, genre-aware profiles that tune performance, visuals, input latency, and thermals for each title. For New Zealand gamers seeking maximum performance without the hassle, the solution is simple: play more, tweak less.

2025 has been an exceptional year for Virtual Reality (VR) gaming, ushering in an entirely new era of immersive entertainment. For Kiwi gamers, VR has evolved beyond a niche hobby into a mainstream frontier for both entertainment and social interaction. With more triple-A (AAA) titles launching with VR capabilities, you might be wondering if your OMEN system has what it takes to deliver the full immersive experience that today’s demanding titles require.

HP OMEN systems feature three core power states—Sleep, Balanced, and Performance—plus advanced AI optimisation that automatically adjusts CPU, GPU, and cooling settings for optimal gaming and creative performance. OMEN AI intelligently tunes your system game-by-game for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

Whether you’re a competitive gamer in Auckland, a graphic designer in Wellington, or a university student managing intensive coursework, improving your system’s performance can dramatically enhance your computing experience. For Kiwi gamers and creative professionals, enabling Resizable BAR is one of the most effective ways to unlock hidden performance potential in your OMEN system, delivering faster load times, increased picture quality, enhanced gameplay, and more.

In the modern era, running the latest triple-A (AAA) games and professional creative tools can be challenging, as they require a significant amount of storage. Whether you’re a student at the University of Auckland working on high-resolution video projects or a gamer in Wellington tackling the latest releases, storage demands continue to grow. Game installations often exceed 150GB, and high-resolution video projects can quickly fill a standard drive. HP has designed OMEN laptops with upgradeability in mind, so users can easily expand storage with NVMe drives instead of replacing the entire system.

With countless apps, drivers, and tools available today, selecting the right gaming software can feel overwhelming. As a gamer in New Zealand, it’s not always clear which platform manages your HyperX accessories and which one takes care of OMEN system syncing—especially when you’re building a setup that works seamlessly for both competitive play and everyday use.