DirectStorage in Windows 11: What it is, how it works, and what you need

Advances in storage technologies have transformed the PC gaming experience. DirectStorage is a key piece of that evolution, developed by Microsoft with the goal of redefining how data is managed in the most demanding video games. Its impact is profound for both gamers and developers, especially in the Windows 11 ecosystem.

The history of DirectStorage is linked to the Xbox Series X|S consoles, where It was born as a solution to take full advantage of high-performance NVMe SSDs, which was later ported to the Windows environment to improve loading times, graphics performance, and system efficiency. Now that this functionality is built into Windows 11 and also partially supported in Windows 10, It's the perfect time to fully understand how it works, what benefits it offers and what you need to be able to use it.

What exactly is DirectStorage?

DirectStorage is a API developed by Microsoft which is part of the DirectX 12 Ultimate suite of technologies. Its main function is to allow more efficient data transfer from the hard drive to the graphics system, eliminating the need for the CPU intervenes in the decompression process and management of that data.

In a traditional data loading flow, the game would take the compressed files from disk, send them to RAM, and then load them into the computer. CPU was in charge of decompressing them before they finally reach the graphics card's VRAM. This process creates bottlenecks, especially when we're talking about increasingly detailed video games with more complex worlds. DirectStorage eliminates these intermediate steps, allowing drastically reduces loading timesIf you need to optimize your system, you might find it useful The guide on how to improve the speed of your computer.

The key is that the GPU, through its DMA (direct memory access) units, is directly responsible for reading and decompressing compressed data from the SSD. This process, inherited from the Xbox design, allows elements such as textures, maps, geometry, and models to reach the GPU more quickly, without overloading the CPU.

How this technology works in detail

DirectStorage uses a technique known as Workload Decomposition, which distributes the workloads, traditionally assumed by the CPU, to the most suitable hardware, in this case, the GPU. All this happens asynchronously thanks to the DirectX 12 architecture, using Compute Shaders that process these tasks in parallel to the generation of graphics.

The process follows this optimized sequence:

• El NVMe SSD saves compressed data of the game.
• DirectStorage orders the transfer of that data directly to the GPU.
• La GPU decompresses files using its specialized hardware without CPU intervention.
• The already decompressed data is used directly for the final rendering of the game.

This approach allows that graphics cards work more efficiently, by receiving data more quickly without waiting, and freeing up the CPU to handle other system or game tasks.

Technical requirements for using DirectStorage

To use DirectStorage on a PC, you need to ensure your equipment meets several technical requirements. Here's what you need:

• Operating system: Windows 11 is the best option, although it is also supported on Windows 10 version 1909 or higher, albeit with lower performance.
• Compatible storage unit: An NVMe SSD connected via PCIe is required. These drives allow for much higher data transfer rates than conventional SATA drives.
• Suitable graphics card: DirectX 12 and Shader Model 6.0 support is required. On NVIDIA, that means at least an RTX 2000 or higher (including the RTX 30 and 40 series). On AMD, at least a Radeon RX 6000 is required. Intel ARC cards are also supported.

In addition, Microsoft has added a functionality in the Windows 11 Game Bar to check if your computer is compatible. If you see the “optimized” indication on the drives and GPUs, it means your system can take advantage of DirectStorage.

What advantages does DirectStorage offer in video games?

The main promise of this technology is that load game worlds almost instantly, but its benefits go much further:

1. Reduction of loading times: By eliminating the need to go through the CPU and RAM, games can load scenes, levels, and assets in fractions of a second. In the case of games like Forspoken, loading times have been documented to be reduced to less than a second.
2. More fluidity during the game: By eliminating bottlenecks, you can prevent glitches, judders, or pop-in areas. This is especially useful in open worlds or graphically demanding titles. For information on storage configuration, please refer to storage settings in Windows 11.
3.  Greater visual complexity: Developers can include higher resolution textures, more complex maps, and smoother transitions between areas without the player experiencing performance drops.
4.  Better use of hardware: frees up CPU resources that can now be used for AI, physics, or game logic, while the GPU handles loading and decompressing graphic assets.

The importance of GDeflate in DirectStorage 1.1

With version 1.1 of DirectStorage, Microsoft integrated support for GDeflate, a variant of the classic DEFLATE compression algorithm. Why does this matter for video games? Because it allows game data to be compressed even further without compromising access speed.

Previously, decompressing several GB of data per second was a burden that could saturate even the most powerful CPUs. But now, thanks to decompression capabilities directly on the GPU, all that weight is taken off the central processor, speeding up the entire process. For those using consoles, here's a guide on How to improve the speed of your Xbox or PlayStation 4.

This translates to:

• Faster loads from SSD, since the information is compressed and takes up less space.
• Smaller gaming facilities, by making better use of disk space.
• Unlocking new level layouts, removing previous technical barriers due to load limitations.

How it affects PC game design

On Xbox consoles, the unified memory system facilitates the use of DirectStorage. PCs, however, maintain the distinction between RAM and VRAM. Still, thanks to the intelligent use of RAM as a temporary buffer by many graphics engines, a efficient data streaming.

This opens doors to new ways of designing environments, thanks to the use of megatextures or texture atlas that allow you to load only what's needed at any given time. Environments can change without the need for loading cinematics, and the transition from one area to another can become seamless.

Although this type of technique is not new, DirectStorage makes it easy to deploy with improved load times and much lower latency. when accessing textures or models from disk.

Current state and future of technology

As of today, the number of games that actually actively use DirectStorage is limited. Forspoken has been the first great example, but more titles are expected to adopt this technology in the coming years, especially as NVMe SSDs become more popular.

Microsoft has already provided developers with the necessary tools to begin integrating it into their graphics engines and games. As this happens, We will see a significant improvement in the way video games feel on PC., especially in those with open world or high graphic content.

Having a compatible device ensures you're prepared for the upcoming change. From instant loading to richer, more detailed worlds, DirectStorage is here to stay and will transform the way we play.