Microsoft has developed the DirectStorage API to improve the game experience. By improving the disk access mode, it shortens the time for changing and loading game scenes. At present, compatible software and hardware are as rare as Japanese-made compressors. Seagate is the first to provide corresponding firmware updates for the FireCuda 530 SSD, which can already be downloaded from the official website.
To download the new firmware version of FireCuda 530 SSD, go to Seagate official website support pageEnter the product serial number, and the relative model number and downloadable items of the product will be automatically retrieved.The basic update method is to use the command prompt to execute, and you have to enter the relevant instructions to execute it. If you are unfamiliar with this operation mode, you can also download and install it. SeaTools 5 tool software instead.
As for the difference before and after the update, Seagate does not have a clear description. In short, the new firmware SU6SM005 can be considered to be updated anyway. We actually used CrystalDiskMark for a small test, and we can see that DirectStorage prefers 32K medium and large I/O access mode, and the read speed of FireCuda 530 SSD is indeed slightly improved.
The following figure shows the new firmware (SU6SM005) on the left and the old firmware on the right.
In addition, with an Intel Arc A750 graphics card, use the DirectStorage test and evaluation tool BulkLoadDemo released by Microsoft to see what changes will occur. The measured bandwidth of the FireCuda 530 SSD has increased slightly from about 18.87GB/s to about 19.56GB/s. Although there has been some improvement, the range is not very noticeable, which is considered normal at present.
