The PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles are known for their complete incorporation of PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs. These systems employ SSDs not only to store data, but also because the OS architecture fully utilizes the SSD bandwidth, allowing for fast loading times—nearly instantaneous in certain games.
SSDs are nothing new to the PC industry, but it hasn't yet managed to provide the same kind of lightning-fast speed as next-generation consoles. That is, until DirectStorage's introduction. With the formal release of Microsoft's API for the new technology, developers will be able to use it to improve loading speeds for PC gamers.
Speedway of data
SSDs, more especially NVMe drives, can move several gigabytes of data per second thanks to DirectStorage. The current data transfer procedures were not intended for the way the workload flows now because of the way gaming workloads have evolved over time.
Imagine it as a real roadway in a nation that is growing. Perhaps once upon a time, a basic two-lane roadway was enough. However, as a result of population growth, there are considerably more automobiles than ever before on the road, and they can go further and faster. It is thus necessary to extend the highway system to potentially a four- or six-lane network in order to handle the increased volume of traffic. Essentially, DirectStorage will do for PCs and contemporary games what this example does.
(Photo courtesy of Seagate). Windows 11 and PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs will provide the optimal DirectStorage experience.
Windows 11 is the intended operating system for this technology, as Microsoft states in their news release announcing this. Windows 11 comes with all the tools you need. However, for those who are delaying testing out Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 10 is also supported.You'll also need an NVMe disk with a game build that implements the API on it if you want to fully use DirectStorage. The specifications are hardly shocking—after all, this is the same technology powering the Xbox Series X.
The API is now available for developers to begin integrating into different games. Over time, the procedure will improve even more since Microsoft says it is "working on even more ways to offload from the CPU." To further enhance resource management, "GPU decompression is next on our road map," according to the statement.
Writing history
Although there isn't yet a list of games or apps that use DirectStorage directly, that is probably going to change in the near future. Similarly, watch out for tech tests with compatible games or apps.
We provide a tutorial that describes easy methods to move your games from an old hard drive to your new SSD.
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