Windows 10 version 2004 is the next big feature update and it comes with useful little improvements all over the OS. For gamers, Windows 10 May 2020 Update comes with DirectX 12 Ultimate, improved raytracing support, DirectX Mesh Shader and various other features.
Windows 10 version 2004 is also known as the May 2020 Update (codenamed 20H1) and the feature update is rumoured to release on May 28, 2020.
The new update brings some useful features to users including Cloud reset, WSL 2.0, faster performance, and as well as the much anticipated DirectX 12 Ultimate with improved raytracing support.
What’s new in Windows 10 May 2020 Update for gamers
In addition to DirectX 12, Microsoft has also worked on other areas of the OS to improve the gaming experience:
WDDM 2.7
Windows 10 May 2020 Update includes the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.7, which should improve multi-monitor support, enable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling and improve video playback.
According to multiple tests, the refresh rate on multi-monitor setups will finally get better after applying the update.
You may have observed stuttering if you ever used multi-monitor setup with different refresh rates for each monitor. Any window movement between two monitors with differing refresh rates leads to stuttering until the window movement is stopped.
The same issue can be replicated on a single monitor setup when you run a game such as CS:GO in borderless windowed mode and another window is running by the side. If you move another window on Windows 10, you might notice stutters in the windowed game.
The problems appear to have been fixed in Windows 10 version 2004 and movements of the window between two displays do not seem to cause any stutters.
WDDM update also adds support for hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling and it allows GPU cards to manage their video memory properly. This results in smoother video playback and improved gaming experience, thanks to the reduced latency and improved average FPS.
WDDM 2.7 in Windows 10 version 2004 requires Nvidia drivers 450.12, Intel driver 27.20.100.7859 and above.
Improved disk usage
The upcoming Windows 10 May 2020 Update is also changing how it indexes for Windows Search. It includes a new algorithm that would detect high disk usage automatically and slow down the indexing process.
Microsoft also revealed that the Windows Search indexing process will stop running when you turn on Game mode. This will help you when you play games, update the game package and or when the disk is being actively used.
You can turn on the Game mode feature from the Settings app:
- Select the Gaming section of the Settings app.
- Navigate to the Game Mode section.
- Click to toggle Game Mode and turn it on.
Raytracing 1.1
The May 2020 Update also adds support for DirectX Raytracing 1.1, which includes new techniques including inline ray tracing and indirect execution of rays.
In version 1.1, ray tracing executions are decided at run time and they’re not pre-defined.
The inline raytracing is more efficient than dynamic shader-based ray tracing, according to Microsoft.
DXR 1.1 also allows game engines to load ray tracing shaders on-demand. For example, the tracking shaders would be loaded when your game character moves around a world and new objects are rendered.
Variable Rate Shading
This is another nifty addition to let game developers adjust a game’s shading rate in real-time. It allows the GPU to utilize properly and it takes less toll on the GPU, which should lead to better frame rates.
Variable Rate Shading (VRS), Mesh Shaders and Sampler Feedback are part of the new DirectX 12 Ultimate API. If you bought a flagship video card such as the RTX 20, you’ll be able to take complete advantage of DirectX 12 Ultimate.
All of these changes are supported by Windows 10 May 2020 Update – also referred to as Windows 10 version 2004.
According to a leaked schedule, the May 2020 Update is expected to be available to the general public between May 26 and 28.
