Can a Simple App Really Fix PC Game Stutters?

[Steve]

Shader compilation stutter has plagued PC gaming for years, causing frustrating hitches even on powerful hardware. The SCSKiller app promises to do something about it, but does it work?

Read the full article here.

Can a Simple App Really Fix PC Game Stutters?

 

[MarkHughes]

I don't quite understand something, If shaders can be downloaded already compiled, then why cant they just come with the game already compiled ? or why cant the game just save them to disc after the first compile ?

 

[LordVile95]

I don't quite understand something, If shaders can be downloaded already compiled, then why cant they just come with the game already compiled ? or why cant the game just save them to disc after the first compile ?

To save space

 

[Julio Franco]

I don't quite understand something, If shaders can be downloaded already compiled, then why cant they just come with the game already compiled ? or why cant the game just save them to disc after the first compile ?

That's actually how it works already. The catch is that shaders are often specific to the GPU, driver version, and other variables, so developers can't just bundle one set that works for everyone.

Games and GPU drivers do cache compiled shaders to disk so they don't have to compile them again on the next run, but driver updates and other changes in configuration can invalidate the cache.

Microsoft's Advanced Shader Delivery is trying to solve this by letting games download precompiled shaders matched to your hardware.

 

[jbright]

The "fun" part is that the real story is buried mid-article: AMD quietly shipped background shader compilation for UE5 and nobody noticed.

 

[BadThad]

Seems like a lot for a little. Why not just turn your graphics settings down to eliminate stutter?