Nvidia has released version 621.01 of its graphics drivers, which introduces support for Microsoft's Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) technology. This feature aims to significantly reduce the time PC gamers spend waiting for shaders to compile after installing a new game or updating drivers, a long-standing frustration for many.
Shader compilation is a process where a game's graphics instructions are optimized for a specific PC's hardware configuration. This is particularly time-consuming on the diverse landscape of PC hardware, unlike consoles which have standardized configurations. ASD acts as a solution by allowing games to download precompiled shaders, bypassing the lengthy on-device compilation.
Nvidia's implementation of ASD is available for its RTX and RTX Spark graphics cards. This development brings ASD to a wider PC gaming audience, as AMD has previously supported the technology. For now, the feature is supported in two titles: the recently announced Gears of War prequel and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Combined with Nvidia's existing Automatic Shader Compilation, which prevents shaders from needing re-compilation after driver updates, ASD promises a smoother experience. Players should be able to install a game and begin playing almost immediately, mirroring the instant-play experience console gamers have long enjoyed.
Early testing indicates ASD's effectiveness. On both a desktop PC and an Asus ROG Ally X, games like Gears of War: E-Day could be launched in under a minute, a stark contrast to the 10-15 minutes some titles previously required for shader preparation. ASD is designed to function across various hardware configurations, including systems powered by AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm processors, though performance may vary.
This advancement in shader management for PC follows similar developments on the console front. Sony recently announced Quick Spectral Super Resolution for base PS5 consoles, and AMD has stated that FSR 4.1 will be coming to Xbox Series X|S in the future.