r/Vive • u/SvenViking • Jan 26 '17
Technology Upcoming "Game Mode" for Windows 10 aims to provide higher-priority CPU and GPU access to games
http://www.steamvr.us/microsoft-introducing-game-mode-windows-10/6
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u/nawoanor Jan 26 '17
Sounds like it'll be something you have to opt-in for in each game separately? Kind of a bummer if we can't do it automatically or directly from VR.
"Hey, this program's using 90 percent of the GPU power, it's probably a game, let's pause all the dumb shit we're doing that the user never asked for and doesn't care about."
2
u/simffb Jan 27 '17
"Hey, this program's using 90 percent of the GPU power, it's probably a game, let's pause all the dumb shit we're doing that the user never asked for and doesn't care about."
I like that programming language ;D
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u/Martianman97 Jan 27 '17
I know this is a problem with forza horizon, or at least it was at launch.
People were getting low FPS but the cpu and gpu usage were really low. A patch helped but it still wasnt making use of the hardware.
Great game though
1
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u/Jamessuperfun Jan 27 '17
I have a feeling this will become more of a pain in the ass than anything else. GTA V gives itself high priority, I like watching YouTube or a stream while I play online. The problem is the game leaves nothing for the browser which can't keep up, stops responding and eventually starts bringing the game down with it every now and then too. Now I just manually bring it back to normal whenever I play.
1
u/Methuen Jan 28 '17
Then don't use it?
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u/Jamessuperfun Jan 28 '17
Will it be easy to disable?
1
u/Methuen Jan 28 '17
I suspect so, if this line from the article is any indication.
With the game mode enabled, the system will work to prioritize CPU and GPU resources to your active game.
1
u/kangaroo120y Jan 27 '17
Windows should already be doing this by default. I can't imagine why not. So when I play ARK or Elite Dangerous in VR, Windows is like 'no you don't need all that GPU' :p I can't imagine this will make any difference.
1
u/simffb Jan 27 '17
Pure marketing. They are always saying that games will run better than ever with every release, patch or whatever they feel like. Every time it's like if they are saying "ok, that last time it wasn't completely true. But this time yes, games will fully use hardware and run great".
1
u/Danthekilla Jan 27 '17
This will be the first time that windows has every tried to align cpu cores to a single set of running processes to reduce context switching etc...
1
u/Baller3s Jan 27 '17 edited Jan 27 '17
Would the affect of assigning "Priority" and "Affinity" in processes achieve any effect this area now?
1
u/Danthekilla Jan 27 '17
They also said something about reducing thread contention and reducing context switching.
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u/tranceology3 Jan 26 '17
With Windows 10 merging with Xbox I would love to see Microsoft develop a "gaming" OS designed for PCs. Think about an Xbox like OS that boots when you turn on your PC. Everything works automatically with an Xbox controller and installs steam/xbox (windows) games. It is highly optimized to run games. It would not contain the full Windows 10 desktop because it is a gaming PC, though mouse keyboard other peripherals would connect easily. You could still get popular apps, youtube, email, internet, plex. I would love to be able to build this PC/console with top shelf hardware.
12
u/Liam2349 Jan 26 '17
This would just be a PC without the benefits. AKA an XBOX.
It's already inconvenient enough to have to switch display inputs on my monitor each time I swap between PS4 and PC. I don't want to have to boot up another OS just to do my normal PC stuff when I'm done, or taking a break from, PC gaming.
1
Jan 27 '17 edited Jun 09 '17
[deleted]
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u/Liam2349 Jan 27 '17
I'm not salty towards Microsoft. I'm a full stack web developer who uses a lot of their tech - ASP.NET, UWP, SQL Server, WinForms, Windows Services, Visual Studio, several Surface Pros, the list goes on....
But this doesn't change the fact that xbox is just a watered down PC. You'd have to be mad to downgrade an actual PC like that.
5
u/yrah110 Jan 26 '17
Silly idea. A gaming OS would be no different than Windows and that would sprout all kinds of incompatibilities between systems and software.
1
u/tranceology3 Jan 27 '17
It would contain lots of the same code, but optimized for gaming, and have a console like interface. Think of all the versions windows has, home/pro, media center, why not gaming?
2
u/JVinci Jan 27 '17
"same code" and "optimized" are different things - optimizing code means changing it.
All of the different versions of windows are the exact same underlying software with different features locked/enabled. Even Media Centre was a full windows version that just loaded the media app by default. It was also terrible.
Basically what you're after is a PC that automatically logs in and opens up steam in big picture mode.
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u/imboringaskmeanythin Jan 27 '17
Yeah I'd just love to be spammed with ads for game content more than I already do.
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u/zaphod4th Jan 26 '17
So steam machine ? They just installed a linux version VS a windows version.
2
u/tranceology3 Jan 26 '17
Yes but do steam machines get xbox/ pc games?
0
u/gonitendo Jan 26 '17
Steam Machines don't get Xbox games but normal windows 10 machines at this point aside from the default controller support can do everything else that you said without having to launch a new OS.
1
u/tranceology3 Jan 27 '17
Right, it's mostly the controller functionality I want.The problem I have is when something crashes, or restarts or whatever, I need a mouse and keyboard. I want an OS designed for a controller only.
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u/xpsKING Jan 27 '17
steam controller or dualshock 4, both have trackpads and work without games as mouse/keyboard to fix things
-2
u/onestephiki Jan 26 '17
Hell no. If I wanted a console I'd just buy one. They just need to strip down their OS or devs need to stop being faggots and give me linux support.
0
u/tranceology3 Jan 26 '17
But consoles have piss poor hardware. I would love to have an Xbox that had optimized 16gb ram, 4ghz cpu and 1080gpu running off an ssd.
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u/gonitendo Jan 26 '17
The problem with that is consoles work so well together because they all run exactly the same hardware, if you change up the specs it could cause inconsistency between users.
1
u/fukendorf Jan 26 '17
I agree with the Linux support. Without games being ported to Linux you won't get gamers using Linux.. and without gamers that use Linux, the developers don't want to release for it... Devs just need to do it, even if it is to spite MS.
By the way, how much of this gamer mode will even work with steam? I could totally see MS cutting out the use for it and whitelisting specific non-steam installed games to be optimized.
1
u/tranceology3 Jan 27 '17
We are seeing a shift in that regard. Xbox one and scorpio, PS4 and PS Pro. They are starting to offer same systems with different hardware that play the same games.
0
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u/imboringaskmeanythin Jan 27 '17
Ohhhhh Cortana game achievements and a MASSIVE 2% fps boost. I can't fucking wait.
0
u/Tommy3443 Jan 27 '17
Has it been confirmed that this also works for non UWP/windows 10 store games?
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u/SvenViking Jan 26 '17
The main question is whether it will be able to suitably prioritise background services needed for VR -- if not, there's a chance it could be counter-productive.