NVIDIA & DirectX just Changed the VRAM Game

Finest_Queen _
Jul 18
2 min read

Smoother frames, smaller loads: Gamers, streamers, and digital creators, your rigs are about to breathe easier.

In early testing, NVIDIA and DirectX have found a way to cut VRAM usage by up to 90% using a new technique called 'Neural Texture Compression (NTC)'. For context? That's like clearing out your graphics memory closet and still running better than ever.

Let's break it down.

What is Neural Texture Compression (NTC)?

Textures (the surface details of in-game objects and environments) are one of the biggest VRAM hogs, often eating up 50%-70% of your GPU memory. NTC uses AI to compress and render these textures in smarter, smaller formats, without losing visual fidelity.

Combined with DirectX Raytracing 1.2's cooperative vectors, which boost how lighting and reflections behave in real-time, the result is:

A huge reduction in memory usage
Increased FPS, early tests saw up to 80% performance boosts
More room to multitask for creators who stream or record while gaming

So, why does this matter for Creators and Gamers?

Not everyone is rocking a £2000 GPU (I certainly am not), and now, you might not need to.

8 GB GPUs could handle modern games at higher settings
Cloud gaming services could run more efficiently
Lower VRAM requirements = better optimisation for devs and creators

If you steam, edit or multitask on a single machine, this tech means fewer stutters, better visuals, and more overhead for what you do best.

The GPU Wars Just Got Interesting

This isn't just a win for NVIDIA. AMD's upcoming RDNA 4 cards are expected to benefit too, meaning this tech could shift the balance in future GPU launches, especially for users on a budget.

Keep a Watch For

RTX 5080 early demos show smoother performance with drastically reduced memory draw
Microsoft and NVIDIA are working with devs to optimise future titles for this format
Tools and SDKs for creators might soon include built-in NTC support for projects, games, and even mods

Want to Futureproof your Rig?

Stay tuned for updates as this rolls out, and maybe hold off on that expensive upgrade in your Amazon basket a little longer?