Why isn't my laptop getting more FPS if the GPU is only at 50% usage
https://redd.it/1lmvns9
@r_pcmasterrace
https://redd.it/1lmvns9
@r_pcmasterrace
My experience going from windows to Arch (no linux experience other than steamos)
https://redd.it/1ln15md
@r_pcmasterrace
https://redd.it/1ln15md
@r_pcmasterrace
Lifehack: xbox one kinect makes an insane webcam and has the best windows hello performance ive ever seen and can easily be found for under $20
Typical webcam for comparison
https://preview.redd.it/skgxm5hqer9f1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df94a08b227deaecbe50abb9409d17a9b2f96ee5
And the kinect v2
https://preview.redd.it/7gfxi12uer9f1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bafe4d6556ff6bc97c69fce4fecb967c9d5c5936
Pretty nuts lol. Additionally I work in tech and am a tech enthusiast so I've seen quite a few windows hello implementations and I can assure you this one blows any other solution out of the water. It's no contest. If I am in range it will unlock fast regardless if I'm looking at it, headphones no headphones, lighting conditions etc. I genuinely could not believe how reliable it was. I think its just a matter of the very high 3D detail compared to a normal windows hello camera since it's meant for actual 3D scans of things not just a good enough idea for facial recognition with assistance from the camera.
Windows hello demo:
https://reddit.com/link/1ln1yr2/video/40k8ig52gr9f1/player
You can see I definitely wouldn't call it instant but the crazy thing is it's this quick *every time*. I have seen faster solutions but generally they are a little finicky, gotta look right at it wont work if theres sun glare etc. And yes I've tested with other faces and while not looking at it. It's not just overly sensitive.
Some issues to be aware of:
While the unit is cheap, you will need an adapter to connect it to a PC and some way to mount it. It is big and heavy so you cant just stick it to the monitor like you would a normal webcam. It does have a camera tripod mount so any way you could mount a camera you can mount this. My solution was to use a VESA shelf that goes between my monitor arm and monitor (or just screws in where a monitor arm would go if you dont have one) and screw the tripod mount through the shelf into the kinect to keep it still and securely attached. You can just get these on amazon, they are specifically designed for mounting camera equipment above your monitor. Though any other solution will work e.g. a small tripod. Any cheap adapter will work doesn't need to be fancy.
[Ignore the wii sensor bar lol](https://preview.redd.it/elkvfcrohr9f1.jpg?width=713&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15f693ff9aa4e374f2939e7861d70dafd2f81c93)
It's not plug-n-play. Also, the first driver you find on google is a very old version that doesn't work right and the installer is unreliable. To install the driver instead of running the installer, right click the inf file and click install. The version you need is 2.2.1905 which you can get from microsoft here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=100067
It doesn't work if you're super duper close to it so you want to mount the shelf facing behind the monitor or a tripod behind it or something. Just needs to be not super close
Xbox 360 kinect is not nearly as OP
You can also use it to 3D scan stuff so thats a pretty cool bonus
Hope this helps someone else do what I did and get a super great webcam for like $20 or less minus adapter/mounting hardware!
https://redd.it/1ln1yr2
@r_pcmasterrace
Typical webcam for comparison
https://preview.redd.it/skgxm5hqer9f1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df94a08b227deaecbe50abb9409d17a9b2f96ee5
And the kinect v2
https://preview.redd.it/7gfxi12uer9f1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bafe4d6556ff6bc97c69fce4fecb967c9d5c5936
Pretty nuts lol. Additionally I work in tech and am a tech enthusiast so I've seen quite a few windows hello implementations and I can assure you this one blows any other solution out of the water. It's no contest. If I am in range it will unlock fast regardless if I'm looking at it, headphones no headphones, lighting conditions etc. I genuinely could not believe how reliable it was. I think its just a matter of the very high 3D detail compared to a normal windows hello camera since it's meant for actual 3D scans of things not just a good enough idea for facial recognition with assistance from the camera.
Windows hello demo:
https://reddit.com/link/1ln1yr2/video/40k8ig52gr9f1/player
You can see I definitely wouldn't call it instant but the crazy thing is it's this quick *every time*. I have seen faster solutions but generally they are a little finicky, gotta look right at it wont work if theres sun glare etc. And yes I've tested with other faces and while not looking at it. It's not just overly sensitive.
Some issues to be aware of:
While the unit is cheap, you will need an adapter to connect it to a PC and some way to mount it. It is big and heavy so you cant just stick it to the monitor like you would a normal webcam. It does have a camera tripod mount so any way you could mount a camera you can mount this. My solution was to use a VESA shelf that goes between my monitor arm and monitor (or just screws in where a monitor arm would go if you dont have one) and screw the tripod mount through the shelf into the kinect to keep it still and securely attached. You can just get these on amazon, they are specifically designed for mounting camera equipment above your monitor. Though any other solution will work e.g. a small tripod. Any cheap adapter will work doesn't need to be fancy.
[Ignore the wii sensor bar lol](https://preview.redd.it/elkvfcrohr9f1.jpg?width=713&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15f693ff9aa4e374f2939e7861d70dafd2f81c93)
It's not plug-n-play. Also, the first driver you find on google is a very old version that doesn't work right and the installer is unreliable. To install the driver instead of running the installer, right click the inf file and click install. The version you need is 2.2.1905 which you can get from microsoft here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=100067
It doesn't work if you're super duper close to it so you want to mount the shelf facing behind the monitor or a tripod behind it or something. Just needs to be not super close
Xbox 360 kinect is not nearly as OP
You can also use it to 3D scan stuff so thats a pretty cool bonus
Hope this helps someone else do what I did and get a super great webcam for like $20 or less minus adapter/mounting hardware!
https://redd.it/1ln1yr2
@r_pcmasterrace
Daily Simple Questions Thread - June 29, 2025
Got a simple question? Get a simple answer!
This thread is for all of the small and simple questions that you might have about computing that probably wouldn't work all too well as a standalone post. Software issues, build questions, game recommendations, post them here!
For the sake of helping others, please don't downvote questions! To help facilitate this, comments are sorted randomly for this post, so that anyone's question can be seen and answered.
If you're looking for help with picking parts or building, don't forget to also check out our builds at https://www.pcmasterrace.org/
Want to see more Simple Question threads? Here's all of them for your browsing pleasure!
https://redd.it/1lne4iq
@r_pcmasterrace
Got a simple question? Get a simple answer!
This thread is for all of the small and simple questions that you might have about computing that probably wouldn't work all too well as a standalone post. Software issues, build questions, game recommendations, post them here!
For the sake of helping others, please don't downvote questions! To help facilitate this, comments are sorted randomly for this post, so that anyone's question can be seen and answered.
If you're looking for help with picking parts or building, don't forget to also check out our builds at https://www.pcmasterrace.org/
Want to see more Simple Question threads? Here's all of them for your browsing pleasure!
https://redd.it/1lne4iq
@r_pcmasterrace
PC MASTER RACE
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