Microsoft will release DirectStorage 1.1 with GPU decompression later this year – Computers – News

Microsoft plans to release DirectStorage 1.1 later this year. From then on, developers can implement the technology in their games. With DirectStorage 1.1, the GPU can decompression of assets run, which should reduce loading times in games.

DirectStorage is a Microsoft technique that is supposed to speed up decompression in games. The games contain compressed files, such as objects, characters and environments. When the game needs those files, they are extracted through the CPU. With DirectStorage 1.1 these files can also be extracted from the gpu, Microsoft explains.

The advantage is that GPUs are “extremely efficient at executing repeatable tasks in parallel,” the company writes. This, combined with a fast NVMe drive, allows computers to extract files faster. As a result, games should load faster. The other advantage is that the CPU can be used for other tasks. Microsoft developed their own example where a scene runs nearly three times faster than CPU decompression.

Although Microsoft releases DirectStorage 1.1 this year, it will take some time before the technology can also be used in games. Nvidia and AMD must first implement the technology in their GPU drivers, moreover, the game developer must support the feature as well. Microsoft says DirectStorage 1.1 works best with Windows 11 and an NVMe SSD. The latter is needed due to the faster bandwidth of this disk.

Microsoft released the first version of DirectStorage out in March. This storage API enables faster load times by better handling higher I / O demands in combination with NVMe storage. AMD Previously released Smart Access storagewhich also allows decompression on the GPU.