Microsoft is not only focused on operating systems with Windows but also develops and implements technologies directly within DirectX, the API used by the vast majority of games. One of their latest additions is Advanced Shader Delivery, which was recently seen implemented in Agility SDK 1.618. This technology allows pre-compiled shaders to be downloaded during game installation, eliminating the initial pre-compilation process when starting a game. Furthermore, it greatly reduces stuttering and speeds up loading times. This is how RDNA 3 GPUs like the RX 7600 achieve a loading time reduction from 90 seconds to just 4 seconds in Forza Horizon 6.
We’ve been discussing Advanced Shader Delivery for over a year since Microsoft officially integrated it into its SDK, although it wasn’t fully ready until recently. It was primarily designed for consoles like the ASUS Xbox ROG Ally but has now been released for PC hardware. Microsoft has announced that AMD will receive a Preview version of Advanced Shader Delivery for its modern GPUs, starting with RDNA 3 (Radeon 7000), RDNA 3.5 (primarily APUs), and RDNA 4 (RX 9000).
Microsoft Adds Advanced Shader Delivery for RDNA 3, RDNA 3.5, and RDNA 4 GPUs, Reducing Forza Horizon 6 Load Times by up to 95%
Microsoft states on their website that Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) can reduce loading times by up to 90%, but we are now seeing even more impressive results. In the recently released Forza Horizon 6 (for those with the Premium edition or obtained through unofficial means), it has been announced that a graphics card like the RX 7600 can load the game in just 4 seconds, compared to a 90-second wait without ASD. The rest of the PC specifications are not extraordinary, with a Ryzen 7 5800 CPU, indicating that the graphics card is the primary factor.
This significant difference is likely due to the shader pre-compilation process that most games typically perform, so we assume Forza Horizon 6 is one of those titles. Additionally, pre-compiled shaders help reduce stuttering, which refers to those annoying FPS fluctuations that make the game feel less fluid.
To Use ASD, You Will Need Windows 11 24H2, Xbox Gaming Services, Xbox Insider Hub, and AMD Adrenalin 26.5.2
To utilize the Preview version of Advanced Shader Delivery announced by Microsoft, you will need an RDNA 3, RDNA 3.5, or RDNA 4 GPU, as previously mentioned. Furthermore, you must be using Windows 11 24H2 or a later version, making Linux incompatible at this time. You will also need to have Xbox Gaming Services installed, which can be found in the Microsoft Store.
Additionally, the Xbox Insider Hub is required. You’ll need to open it, select “Preview,” and then “PC Gaming Preview.” Finally, you will need AMD Adrenalin drivers version 26.5.2 or newer, as these add support for Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light.
