Microsoft’s speedy loading tech from Xbox Series X is coming to more PCs than you might think
DirectStorage will work its magic on Windows 10 without a cutting-edge SSD
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We already know thatMicrosoftplans to bring its DirectStorage tech toWindows 10PCs (it was introduced withXbox Series X), and we’ve just learned more about how that will work – namely that older PCIe 3.0 NVMe solid-state drives will be supported, along with DX12 GPUs.
In simple terms,DirectStorageis an API which streamlines operation between the GPU and storage, so that overall performance (real-time loading of assets in the game world) and of course loading times are improved (if the game supports the tech).
Previously, nothing was known about the implementation of DirectStorage – currently an API exclusive to Xbox – on PC, where bringing it into play is a more complex affair. That’s because with its console, Microsoft is working with a single known set of hardware – whereas PCs have a very diverse range of components.
However, asPC Gamerreports, thanks to a Reddit user who postedinfodrawn from a Microsoft presentation at Game Stack Live 2021, we know that the folks who own PCIe 3.0 NVMeSSDswill be good to go with DirectStorage when it eventually pitches up on PC.
More the merrier
That’s important, because the very latest PCIe standard is version 4.0, but as a relatively new tech, not so many people own these cutting-edge NVMe SSDs (support came in withAMD’s Ryzen 3000 platform, but forIntelrigs, PCIe 4.0 only just now arrived withRocket Lakesilicon).
Essentially, this news is confirmation that more people are going to feel the benefit of DirectStorage when it does arrive on PC, with a planned launch towards the end of 2021 – and it should make a big difference to how games run with NVMe SSDs (in supported games, anyway).
Microsoft has said to expect a developer preview to kick off at some point during the summer.
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As mentioned at the outset, any DX12graphics cardwill be compatible with DirectStorage, although DX12 Ultimate GPUs (NvidiaRTX 2000 or3000, AMDRX 6000series) will “offer the best experience” Microsoft notes (and of course, you’ll witness a better boost with a PCIe 4.0 SSD too – but at least PCIe 3.0 drives are in the mix here).
Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - ‘I Know What You Did Last Supper’ - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).
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