DirectStorage Archives

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

The Last of Us Part 2 proves that 8 GB of VRAM can be enough, even at 4K with maximum settings, so why aren’t more games using the same clever asset-streaming trick?

Sony's The Last of Us Part 1 faced significant issues upon its PC release, including bugs, instability, and excessive VRAM usage, leading to debates about the adequacy of 8 GB of VRAM. In contrast, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered demonstrated improved VRAM management during testing, with an RTX 5080 averaging 11.36 GB of memory usage and an RTX 3060 Ti averaging 11.06 GB. The game effectively managed VRAM without overloading the GPU, unlike its predecessor. Additionally, TLOU2 exhibited high CPU utilization, indicating efficient parallel task management. This performance suggests that proper asset streaming can maintain stability even on lower VRAM configurations, highlighting the importance of effective asset management in future AAA titles.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Is Windows 11 Finally Better Than Windows 10 For Gaming?

Windows 11 has introduced several gaming-focused enhancements that are not present in Windows 10, including: - DirectStorage: Optimized for Windows 11, this technology allows games to load data directly from an NVMe SSD to the GPU, reducing load times. - Auto HDR: Enhances older games by automatically applying high dynamic range lighting effects for users with HDR-capable monitors. - Improved Scheduling for Hybrid CPUs: Offers better task scheduling for Intel's 12th or 13th generation CPUs, resulting in smoother frame rates during CPU-intensive gaming sessions. Benchmark tests show minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, with slight FPS improvements in some titles on Windows 11, especially when using advanced hardware and DirectStorage. As of March 2025, over 55% of Windows users on Steam have transitioned to Windows 11, indicating growing confidence in the operating system among gamers. Windows 11 has addressed many early bugs and driver issues, providing robust stability on compatible systems. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for TPM 2.0 and UEFI secure boot. Windows 10 remains supported until October 2025, making it a viable option for users with older hardware. Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a centered Start Menu and Taskbar, rounded corners, and expanded personalization options. It also simplifies the update process with annual feature updates and smaller, faster security updates. Windows 11 enhances integration with Microsoft services, supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, and introduces productivity tools like Snap Layouts and improved Task View. Security improvements include mandatory TPM 2.0, enhanced Windows Defender, and a redesigned privacy dashboard for better user control over app permissions. Despite its advancements, Windows 11 has limitations such as ongoing stability issues, driver compatibility concerns, and a simplified taskbar that lacks certain functionalities from Windows 10. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows 11 Pro is just $15 for life – and it could level up your gaming setup (Reg. up to $199)

A lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is available for .97. Windows 11 Pro offers features like Auto HDR, DirectStorage technology, and Windows Copilot, which enhance gaming performance and experience. It includes security features such as BitLocker encryption and supports multiple monitors and high-refresh-rate displays. The offer is valid until April 27.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

3 times Microsoft has tried (and failed) to reinvent PC gaming

Microsoft has faced criticism from the PC gaming community due to frequent Windows updates causing crashes and altering features. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP), introduced in the mid-2010s to unify operating systems, faced backlash from gamers for restricting access to game files and complicating third-party software use. Many developers bypassed UWP, leading Microsoft to reintroduce Win32 games by 2019. DirectX 10 was exclusive to Windows Vista, resulting in only 87 games being developed for it due to the unpopularity of Vista and lack of backward compatibility. Games for Windows Live (GFWL) aimed to bring Xbox Live to PC but became frustrating due to its closed ecosystem, leading to accessibility issues and unplayable titles after server shutdowns. Microsoft has since improved the gaming experience on Windows, focusing on user choice and compatibility, with features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage integrated into Windows 11.

Winsage

March 15, 2025

Create a Great PC Gaming Experience

- Invest in a high-refresh-rate monitor and a robust graphics card with DirectX 12 Ultimate features for improved gaming performance. - Windows 11 supports spatial sound, including Windows Sonic for Headphones, which enhances audio immersion. - To enable spatial sound, go to Start > Settings > System > Sound, select your playback device, choose Windows Sonic for Headphones under Spatial sound, and click Apply. - The Xbox app in Windows 11 serves as a central hub for managing games across platforms. - DirectStorage in Windows 11 reduces load times for games on NVMe SSDs. - Maintain optimal cooling for your system by ensuring adequate cooling solutions and regular cleaning to prevent dust accumulation. - Optimize display settings in Windows 11 by adjusting resolution, enabling HDR if supported, fine-tuning scale and layout settings, and setting the refresh rate to the highest available option.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PC Patch 5 Released, Bringing Various Performance & Optimization Improves

Nixxes has released Title Update 5 for the PC version of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which includes performance enhancements and optimizations. Key updates include: - Upgrade of DirectStorage to version 1.2.3 to reduce stuttering during city traversal, especially for GPUs with less than 8GB of VRAM. - Optimized performance when playing as Venom, fighting Symbiotes, and in related cinematics. - Improved DLSS Ray Reconstruction to reduce noise in shadows of facial details. - Fixes for UI issues during Prowler side quests when frame generation and upscaling were enabled. - Resolved issues with the Hunter Blinds minigame controls and Photo Mode responsiveness. - Improvements to screen space reflections to prevent flickering when viewing large bodies of water. - Various crash fixes, stability improvements, and performance optimizations. - Enhancements related to ray-traced reflections, ambient occlusion, and shadows. - General user interface bug fixes and improvements.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Windows 10 is supposed to be dying, so why are gamers running back to it?

Windows 10 is set to reach its end-of-life on October 14, 2025. As of April 2023, Windows 10 held a 71.6% share of the global desktop market, which decreased to 69.9% by April 2024 and fell to 58.7% by February 2024. In contrast, Windows 11's market share increased to 38.1%. Despite the overall trend favoring Windows 11, gamers are still favoring Windows 10, with a 10.4% increase in Windows 10 64-bit users and a 9.3% decrease in Windows 11 64-bit users among Steam users. The rise in users selecting Simplified Chinese as their preferred language on Steam may be contributing to Windows 10's resurgence, with only 26.4% of users in China using Windows 11. Windows 7 still holds a 16.5% share among desktop PCs in China.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Level up your gaming with Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97 until March 30. It features DirectStorage technology for reduced load times, Auto HDR for enhanced graphics, and DirectX 12 Ultimate for better frame rates. Minimum system requirements include a 1GHz 64-bit processor with two or more cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a DirectX 12-compatible GPU, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot enabled.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

GTA 5 Enhanced update delayed on Epic Games Store for some players

PC gamers can expect advanced ray-tracing features, including ambient occlusion and global illumination, along with support for FSR1, FSR3, and DLSS 3 for improved graphics performance. There will be a significant reduction in loading times due to SSD technology and DirectStorage. The update enhances support for higher resolutions, aspect ratios, and framerates. Dolby Atmos will provide an immersive sound experience. Additionally, Rockstar has introduced compatibility with Sony’s DualSense controllers, featuring adaptive triggers for a more tactile gameplay experience.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

GTA V Enhanced Makes the 12-Year-Old Game Look Great Again

Rockstar has released the Grand Theft Auto V PC update, named GTA V Enhanced, which replaces the previous version, now called GTA V Legacy. The update has higher system requirements, with minimum specifications including a 64-bit processor, Windows 10, Intel Core i7-4770 or AMD FX-9590, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1630 or AMD Radeon RX 6400. Recommended specifications include Windows 11, Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT. Progress can only be transferred from the Legacy version once, affecting both Story Mode and GTA Online. New features in the update include ray tracing support, AMD FSR and NVIDIA DLSS upscaling, faster load times via DirectStorage, enhanced 3D audio with Dolby Atmos, and DualSense controller support. However, HDR display support is not yet implemented, and the NVIDIA App does not recognize the new version. The game runs smoothly at an average of 123 frames per second on high-end rigs without Frame Generation, which may be added in future updates. Players must use the Rockstar Games Launcher regardless of owning the game on Steam or Epic Games Store, complicating DLSS management. A mod is available to assist with DLSS file management during gameplay.