DirectStorage 1.1 utilizes GPUs to enhance decompression general performance and reduced recreation load situations
In a nutshell: Microsoft is on observe to release DirectStorage 1.1 with GPU decompression to builders by the finish of 2022. It truly is unclear which game titles will be the very first to acquire advantage of it, but Microsoft claims to supply much more API particulars and documentation with the release coming shortly.
For those needing a fast refresher, game titles involve massive quantities of information to establish their immersive worlds. Every object, character and landscape has belongings attached that dictate many facets like coloration, condition and lights. Collectively, the belongings total to hundreds of gigabytes of knowledge which will get compressed to decrease the in general dimensions of the sport.
When it arrives time to utilize the assets, they have to initial be transferred to program memory where they are then decompressed by the CPU ahead of getting moved into GPU memory for use as required.
DirectStorage 1. dealt with the transfer method. Combined with innovations in Windows 11, techniques equipped with NVMe drives could use DirectStorage 1. to speed up load times by as significantly as 40 per cent in some circumstances. With DirectStorage 1.1, Microsoft is turning its focus to decompression functionality.
Up to this level, asset decompression has normally been optimized for CPUs only. DirectStorage 1.1 moves the undertaking to the GPU which frees up the CPU to complete other employment.
In an optimized examination to spotlight performance positive aspects from the test, scenes had been demonstrated to load approximately three instances more rapidly. The compression structure used was GDeflate, a novel lossless conventional optimized for substantial-throughput decompression with deflate-like compression ratios that was developed by Nvidia and Microsoft. In the examination, the CPU was practically freed up fully.
Microsoft reported it is doing the job with AMD, Intel and Nvidia on drivers tailored to the format.
The tech surely appears engaging, but Microsoft’s announcement did go away us with additional concerns than answers. Going decompression obligations off the CPU will of study course totally free it up, but what sort of influence will the added load have on the GPU? Are we heading to see frame premiums get a substantial strike to make way for a lot quicker load times? If so, avid gamers will no doubt have to dial in the sweet place for the optimal gaming knowledge.
