Microsoft gives more details on how Windows 10's "Game Mode" will work

[Jos]

A few months ago it was revealed that Microsoft’s upcoming Creators Update for Windows 10 would include a new "Game Mode" to enhance the PC gaming experience by prioritizing system resources. At the Game Developers Conference last week, Eric Walston from the Xbox Advanced Technology Group explained a bit about how exactly the feature will work.

As we already knew Game Mode is all about intelligently allocating hardware resources to a running game when it’s turned on. On the Windows OS level, instead of games being treated like just another process, the operating system will reportedly isolate CPU resources to be devoted exclusively to it and optimize the GPU to give the game as much attention as possible as well.

Specifically on the CPU side, Game Mode allocates a majority of available CPU cores to be devoted exclusively to the target game, while processing threads from other applications and system functions are handled by the remaining cores. By separating gaming from non-gaming threads Game Mode also reduces thread contention among the various gaming process threads that can take a toll on performance.

Game Mode is also said to improve the amount of GPU cycles given to the active game, reducing the time available for everything else, and optimized GPU memory residency to assets associated with the game.

Performance gains are expected to be subtle and most noticeable at the low end. Users will be able to turn Game Mode on or off, but developers can reportedly use new internal functions to check the system and determine whether it's worth turning on Game Mode by default for their app.

Image credit: Digital Trends

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https://www.techspot.com/news/68402-microsoft-gives-more-details-how-windows-10-game.html

 

[Joshem]

Cool.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

No harm in taking that feature for a spin around the block when we finally get it and see what difference it makes, if any. It'll probably depend heavily on the game itself. I don't think it's going to make any difference in performance to a game like Tetris but in a game like Doom 3, it might.

 

[Cycloid Torus]

"separating gaming from non-gaming threads Game Mode also reduces thread contention"

Do you think it might just possibly cure the Bethesda Gamebryo crash bugs???

 

[spydercanopus]

Too bad it doesn't dump to drive the active memory and load as much game data as possible in it's place.

 

[NahNood]

Too bad it doesn't dump to drive the active memory and load as much game data as possible in it's place.

Well at least it sounds like it does that with the vram.

 

[Humza]

Did MS purposely made the UI to look like a Steam overlay?

 

[texasrattler]

Did MS purposely made the UI to look like a Steam overlay?

Cant beat em, join em. Steam Overlay isnt bad, works n most ppl know it.

 

[HiDDeNMisT]

Wow, Microsoft FTW if it works the way its supposed to and actually makes the computer prioritize video system resources for video games. Will have to test and see.

 

[texasrattler]

Wow, Microsoft FTW if it works the way its supposed to and actually makes the computer prioritize video system resources for video games. Will have to test and see.

Just remember most ppl wont see a benefit, it's mainly for those with lower end systems. This is the way it's suppose to work if there is any benefit at all. It'll be a bonus if it works better than it should, like say for ppl with higher end systems.

 

[captaincranky]

Right, this is M$ telling you they're blowing you a kiss, after they just farted.

Wow, Microsoft FTW if it works the way its supposed to and actually makes the computer prioritize video system resources for video games. Will have to test and see.

OK, don't look now, but the video card already does that.

Just remember most ppl wont see a benefit, it's mainly for those with lower end systems. This is the way it's suppose to work if there is any benefit at all. It'll be a bonus if it works better than it should, like say for ppl with higher end systems.

Yeah, maybe they'll shut down the telemetry until you're done playing your game.

Anyway, this should mean if I'm stupid enough to run Photoshop, while I'm rendering a 4K video, along with 20 or so startups running, and I decide to play a game, M$ has got my back and they'll manage my resources for me. Right on!

 

[texasrattler]

Telemetry, ppl still crying over something thats not affecting anything? So they track you, oh know. Better hide those porn sites, oh wait MS nor anyone else care.
Most of the stuff can be turned off or for the paranoid some registry tweaks can be done.

Just about every manufacturer has some type of Telemetry. Almost all can be turned off or removed/disabled.

 

[captaincranky]

Telemetry, ppl still crying over something thats not affecting anything? So they track you, oh know. Better hide those porn sites, oh wait MS nor anyone else care.
Most of the stuff can be turned off or for the paranoid some registry tweaks can be done.

Just about every manufacturer has some type of Telemetry. Almost all can be turned off or removed/disabled.

Yeah, people are still complaining about the telemetry. it's just M$ shills like yourself that aren't...