New DirectStorage test available in 3DMark

Today we’re excited to launch the 3DMark DirectStorage feature test. This feature test is a free update for the 3DMark Storage Benchmark DLC.

The 3DMark DirectStorage feature test helps gamers understand the potential performance benefits that Microsoft’s DirectStorage technology could have for their PC’s gaming performance.

DirectStorage is a Microsoft technology for Windows PCs with PCIe SSDs that reduces the overhead when loading game data. DirectStorage can be used to reduce game loading times when paired with other technologies such as GDeflate, where the GPU can be used to decompress certain game assets instead of the CPU. On systems running Windows 11, DirectStorage can bring further benefits with BypassIO, lowering a game’s CPU overhead by reducing the CPU workload when transferring data.

It can be difficult to accurately measure the performance benefits of DirectStorage in a typical game scene, as the engine is performing many other tasks in addition to loading game assets, such as rendering geometry. As no game is the same it can be very difficult to measure the benefits DirectStorage has, as there are often many other factors in a game that limit its benefits.

This test simulates a near-best-case scenario for a DirectStorage implementation, where asset loading is not impacted by other variables such as the game’s asset management system or other tasks being performed by the GPU. This means you can see a demonstration of the near-maximum potential performance benefits enabling DirectStorage could have for a system.

The DirectStorage feature test generates results showing the bandwidth differences when the DirectStorage API is used, compared to without.

3DMark now available in French

3DMark is the go-to benchmark for testing gaming PCs, with millions of users using it to determine their PCs' speed, compete with their friends, and show off their crazy overclocks.

After breaking into the double-digit numbers of supported languages in 2022, we’re continuing to bring 3DMark to even more gamers, overclockers and tech-heads around the world - this time to the over 300 million French speakers globally.

Can you hear that?

Finally, we’ve added new soundtracks to the Speed Way, Wild Life and Wild Life Extreme Benchmarks. You can enable these through the audio toggle on the benchmark page.

3DMark for Windows (Steam, Epic Games, Standalone)

The 3DMark DirectStorage feature test is a free update for the 3DMark Storage Benchmark DLC, sold separately on Steam, Epic Games, or directly from UL Solutions. You need to own 3DMark on the same platform in order to use the 3DMark Storage benchmark DLC.

3DMark and the Storage Benchmark DLC are available from Steam, the Epic Games Store, or directly from UL Solutions

Get 3DMark From UL Solutions

https://benchmarks.ul.com/3dmark

Get 3DMark from Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/223850/3DMark/

Get 3DMark from the Epic Games Store

https://store.epicgames.com/p/3dmark

3DMark for Enterprise

The 3DMark DirectStorage feature test is available as a free update for 3DMark Professional Edition customers with a valid annual license. Customers with an older, perpetual license will need to purchase an annual license to access the new test. Contact us for details.