Microsoft is bringing some new features to our computers with Windows 11. However, a feature that was previously exclusive is now also available for Windows 10. MeinMMO explains what it is, what advantages you have, and how you can use it.
Microsoft aims to convince users with new features and improvements in Windows 11. We at MeinMMO have extensively introduced the best features of Windows 11 for gamers.
However, as Microsoft has now explained in a developer blog, a feature that was supposed to be exclusive to Windows 11 is also coming to Windows 10 (via devblogs.microsoft.com).
This feature is called DirectStorage, which is intended to improve the performance of your SSD. MeinMMO explains what DirectStorage actually is and why gamers could particularly benefit from it.
DirectStorage provides better performance in modern games
What is the situation? So far, processors need to send a request to your hard drive for every data processing and then wait for your hard drive to finish copying. After that, your processor sends the next request.
In the case of an HDD, this is not a problem, as it can typically handle a few hundred of these operations. However, an SSD can handle tens of thousands of these operations. The burden on the processor consumes a lot of processing power when these requests have to be handled one after another.
What does DirectStorage do? The adjustment of the DirectX API reduces the burden on the processor by utilizing the NVMe protocol of PCIe SSDs, which allows parallel and bundled requests from the processor to the SSD controller. Your hard drive is connected to this controller.
What is the advantage? The advantage of DirectStorage is significantly better performance if you have (NVMe) SSDs installed in your computer. Specifically, the write and read speeds are expected to increase significantly, as thanks to DirectStorage, games can load data into the graphics card much faster and relieve your processor.
Specifically, this means: Your games load significantly faster – both when starting and during cutscenes and similar, as these can be calculated (rendered) much faster. Additionally, the processor will not be as heavily burdened.
We will also present you with other important changes in Windows 11 in detail on MeinMMO:
You can now use DirectStorage – but your games need to support it
When can I use DirectStorage on Windows 10? There is not much you can do for now. Although Microsoft has integrated DirectStorage into the DirectX API, game developers need to integrate the feature into their own engines. Microsoft writes in the developer post:
As a game developer, you only need to implement DirectStorage once in your engine, and all applicable advantages will be automatically applied and scaled accordingly for players.
Microsoft, via devblogs.microsoft.com
Which games benefit from this? Microsoft has explained that the API adjustments apply to DirectX 12. This means that for now, only games that are based on DirectX 12 and have a DX12-compatible graphics card will benefit from the changes.
Older games that still rely on DirectX 11 or other interfaces will not benefit from this.
The Xbox Series X|S already utilizes the Velocity Engine, which also employs DirectStorage. This way, you can also enjoy faster loading times and higher performance on Windows 10.
In a video, Microsoft demonstrated how much faster the Xbox Series X is compared to the Xbox One during loading. The video was meant to showcase the advantages that DirectStorage offers for the next-gen console.
