DirectStoraget was a solution developed by Microsoft for the Xbox Series X console. This technology then reached the PC. What this technology does is transfer the data directly to the GPU without having to go through the CPU. Load times are improved and CPU usage is reduced.
Improved hard drive performance with DirectStorage 1.2
All IT processes have a set series of steps that require time. Eliminating steps in the process means improving the end performance.
Imagine that to get home you cross 12 streets and it takes 5 minutes. But, thanks to the fact that they are opening a new street, you reduce your journey to 11 streets and now it only takes 4 minutes. Well, more or less that makes DirectStorage.
Specifically, Microsoft technology directly communicates SSD and graphics card. Data passes from the SSD to the RAM memory and, from there, to the VRAM of the graphics card. Before, to switch from RAM to VRAM, you had to go through the processor. This reduces data transfer times and CPU usage.
Until now this solution was only available for SSDs, but now also reaches hard drives. This allows for better gaming performance.
This technology has a disadvantage in mechanical hard drives and that is that the loading time of these storage units are violas. By using mechanical parts, the performance is quite limited.
New feature adds buffered file open mode. To access this technology, simply set the “ForceFileBuffering” value In TRUE In DSTORAGE_CONFIGURATION1.
We should note that buffered I/O is not supported by BypassIO. The value of “DevilBypassIOmust be set to TRUE.
On the other hand, it must be taken into account that game developers support and adapt this function. It must therefore be supported by the game to be used.
How does this change affect performance?
We don’t have any data, as Microsoft hasn’t disclosed how much performance is improved. Obviously, you shouldn’t expect a big leap forward in performance. It will be less obvious than with SSDs, but it takes extra performance.
We’ll still be limited by the moving parts of these storage units, but we’ll have a bonus. Eventually, at best, we move within a 5-10% range.
At the same time, we must point out that hard drives are improving in many ways. The cache size is increased to buffer memory and improve performance. In addition, the number of platters and tonearms is increased to achieve additional performance.
Although these storage units are very limited, they still have certain markets. Above all, for massive data storage, they are highly appreciated for their excellent capacity/price ratio.