Long game loading and stuttering while the surroundings load are among the most annoying things in gaming. Microsoft brought the DirectStorage technology to Windows to address this. Let us explain what it is, how it speeds up games and what you need for it.

What DirectStorage is

DirectStorage is a technology in Windows (part of DirectX) that significantly speeds up loading game data from the disk. A game can transfer data from a fast NVMe SSD more directly and efficiently than the classic way, shortening the wait for loading and reducing stuttering when streaming the surroundings.

Originally this technology powered fast loading on game consoles (Xbox Series X and S), and Microsoft brought it to Windows computers too, best used on Windows 11.

What problem it solves

The classic way of loading had two bottlenecks:

  • Data was transferred in smaller batches and the path from the disk to the game was needlessly complex.
  • The processor had to unpack (decompress) the game data, which heavily burdened it in modern games with huge textures.

DirectStorage addresses both of these bottlenecks.

How DirectStorage speeds up games

  • Fast and direct data transfer. The game loads a large amount of data from the NVMe SSD at once and more efficiently, without unnecessary intermediate steps.
  • Decompression on the graphics card (GPU). This is the key novelty. Unpacking the game data is taken over by the powerful graphics card instead of the processor. The GPU handles it much faster and the processor is freed for other tasks.

The result is shorter loading and smoother streaming of the surroundings, especially in modern, graphically demanding games with large worlds.

What you need for it

For DirectStorage to work fully, hardware and software must work together:

  • An NVMe SSD. A fast disk is the foundation, without it the technology makes no sense. A classic slow disk will not use it, more in the article on how to choose a disk.
  • A modern graphics card with DirectX 12 support, especially for the GPU decompression, more in the article on how to choose a graphics card.
  • Windows 11 (it works on Windows 10 too, but shows its full potential on Windows 11), more in the article on Windows 10 has ended, moving to Windows 11.
  • A game that supports DirectStorage. This is important: the technology must be built in by the game’s creator. It is not enabled manually, it works only in games that use it.

DirectStorage versus Resizable BAR

Both technologies improve the gaming experience, but address something different:

  • DirectStorage speeds up loading data from the disk (shorter loads, smoother streaming of the surroundings).
  • Resizable BAR improves communication between the processor and the graphics memory (can add FPS).

They complement each other nicely and both belong to a modern gaming setup.

What to keep in mind

  • It is not a universal speedup of everything. It helps only in games that support it.
  • Without an NVMe SSD it makes no sense. It is a technology built for fast disks.
  • Support is growing over time, more and more new games use it.

Conclusion

DirectStorage is a Windows technology that speeds up game loading thanks to direct data transfer from an NVMe SSD and decompression on the graphics card. It shortens loads and improves smoothness in modern games. For it to work, you need an NVMe SSD, a modern graphics card, Windows 11 and a game that supports it.

Building or upgrading a gaming computer and want to get the most out of it? Get in touch, we will design a build with a fast NVMe disk and a powerful graphics card to measure.