Exciting developments are on the horizon for PC gaming enthusiasts. Microsoft recently unveiled an intriguing collaboration with NVIDIA, aimed at enhancing performance using NVIDIA’s cutting-edge neural rendering software. By integrating so-called cooperative vectors into DirectX, Microsoft promises a noticeable boost in performance for NVIDIA’s neural shaders on RTX Tensor Cores.
Bryan Langley, who heads up the silicon, media, and graphics programs at Microsoft, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to partner with NVIDIA to pave the way for a new era of graphics programming. By incorporating industry-wide support for neural shading technology, DirectX is set to support Cooperative Vectors, tapping into the full potential of Tensor Cores on NVIDIA GeForce RTX hardware. This breakthrough will empower game developers to maximize the capabilities of neural shaders on Windows.”
While the initial announcement didn’t delve deeply into specifics beyond cooperative vectors, word from insiders at Windows Central hints at Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to further advance neural rendering research, seeking to enhance game development beyond the current boundaries.
### Understanding Neural Rendering
At its core, neural rendering encompasses a collection of methods that employ artificial intelligence to refine software development processes, notably through neural shaders. These shaders allow developers to train their data in numerous ways.
Presently, NVIDIA’s efforts in neural rendering focus on expanding neural shaders, introducing neural network support to adjustable shaders. This opens up a wealth of possibilities, the most intriguing being enhanced texture compression—a boon for both developers and gamers.
This technology could dramatically reduce the VRAM or system memory a game needs to operate. NVIDIA claims their neurally compressed textures can save up to seven times more space compared to traditional compression methods.
This advancement is particularly significant given today’s rising VRAM requirements, which often necessitate high-end hardware to achieve maximum settings in games. NVIDIA’s entry-level GPUs, like the RTX 4060, have faced criticism for their lack of VRAM in relation to their cost, especially when tackling the latest titles, such as “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.” As always, the real-world impact will depend on implementation and uptake, but it’s certainly an area worth monitoring alongside any future Microsoft innovations.
Developers can expect to experiment with neural shaders using NVIDIA’s RTX kit, slated for release by the end of January. As the PC gaming landscape eagerly anticipates the launch of the 50-series graphics cards, there’s plenty to be excited about. More games are beginning to incorporate advanced technologies, with features such as path tracing now a reality in “DOOM: The Dark Ages.”
