Testing DirectStorage with GPU decompression — do Blackwell GPUs have the upper hand?

The article discusses the testing of DirectStorage with GPU decompression, focusing on whether Blackwell GPUs have an advantage in handling this technology. DirectStorage aims to optimize storage technology for faster asset streaming and reduced CPU overhead, with support for GPU decompression added in version 1.1. While Nvidia GPUs initially struggled with DirectStorage, Blackwell GPUs, like the 5090, showed improved performance with GPU decompression enabled. Tests on various Blackwell GPUs, including the 5070 and 5060, demonstrated consistent performance gains with DirectStorage. The article explores the potential reasons behind Blackwell GPUs handling GPU decompression more effectively, pointing to advancements in architecture and scheduling capabilities.