Do you need a PCIe 4.0 SSD to use Windows DirectStorage in games?

Best respond: No, DirectStorage works with all NVMe drives including the slower PCIe three.0 spec, though naturally performance will be better with PCIe iv.0 and Windows eleven.

What is DirectStorage?

DirectStorage is an API that is part of DirectX. Microsoft has already implemented it into the Xbox Velocity Architecture plant on the new Xbox Series 10 and Series S consoles and has since brought it to the PC, at first with Windows 11.

On a DirectStorage-compatible auto playing an enabled title, players volition experience dramatically reduced load times thanks to the new API. Described past Microsoft:

Unfortunately, current storage APIs were not optimized for this high number of IO requests, preventing them from scaling up to these higher NVMe bandwidths creating bottlenecks that limit what games tin can do. Even with super-fast PC hardware and an NVMe bulldoze, games using the existing APIs volition exist unable to fully saturate the IO pipeline leaving precious bandwidth on the table.

That's where DirectStorage for PC comes in. This API is the response to an evolving storage and IO landscape in PC gaming. DirectStorage will be supported on sure systems with NVMe drives and work to bring your gaming experience to the next level. If your organization doesn't support DirectStorage, don't fret; games will continue to piece of work just as well every bit they always take.

DirectStorage isn't a fix for every game on every system, then, but somewhen the ecosystem will grow. Information technology'south built into Windows 11 commencement and that's where you'll encounter the well-nigh benefit, but it is as well going to exist useable on Windows ten only with a reduced impact.

PCIe 4.0 for best performance but not required

DirectStorage requires an SSD that conforms to the NVMe standard, which covers a wide range of storage drives. What isn't required is a PCIe 4.0 SSD, which means that even slightly older hardware will exist able to take advantage of its benefits.

Obviously, though, the faster PCIe 4.0 SSDs volition requite the all-time performance. Equally they're at present supported by both AMD and Intel, if you're building a new Windows 11 gaming PC you should absolutely be putting one at the centre of your system, like the superb Samsung 980 Pro.

Blazing-fast storage

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Reliability and performance is the name of the game with Samsung'south newest, fastest NVMe SSD.

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Find the best LGA 1200 motherboard for Comet & Rocket Lake CPUs

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Notice the best LGA 1200 motherboard for Comet & Rocket Lake CPUs

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