Microsoft’s Cross Adapter Scan-Out (CASO) boosts laptop FPS by 16% sans dGPU/iGPU MUX switch.

Provides improved FPS and lower display latency
Reduces timeout detection and recovery events (TDRs)
Compatible with almost all PC games

Microsoft has introduced a solution to address a common challenge in hybrid laptop designs. These Laptops are equipped with both integrated and discrete graphics units, allowing for improved power efficiency by assigning graphics tasks to the appropriate subsystem. However, this setup often leads to a bottleneck in performance.

Typically, the integrated GPU (iGPU) is connected to the laptop’s display, while the discrete GPU (dGPU) renders game visuals and passes them to the iGPU for screen display. This two-step process can limit the full potential of the dGPU, especially during demanding gaming sessions. To tackle this issue, nVidia and AMD have implemented solutions using multiplexers (mux) to optimize gaming performance.

However, not all hybrid laptops have a mux solution, and utilizing the dGPU without it can increase power consumption and reduce battery life. This is where Microsoft’s new technology, called CASO (Copy Acceleration for Screen Outputs), comes into play. CASO simplifies the process for laptops without a mux or with it disabled, resulting in improved FPS, lower display Latency, and overall better performance for hybrid laptops.

Microsoft claims that using CASO can deliver an average of 16% higher FPS and a 27% reduction in display latency. Additionally, CASO contributes to a 45% decrease in timeout detection and recovery events (TDRs), making these laptops more stable during gameplay.

CASO was initially released with support for DirectX 11 in 2021 and expanded to include DirectX 12 in early 2023, making it compatible with almost all PC games. The technology is already integrated into Windows 11 systems and does not have a minimum dGPU requirement, working by default on supported devices.

NVIDIA has confirmed that CASO will work with all Geforce GPUs using drivers version r515 or newer. Intel GPUs will require Xe Graphics on Intel 11th Gen Core series or newer, along with WDDM driver model 3.0 or newer. AMD Radeon 6000 GPUs or newer will also support CASO with WDDM driver 3.1 or newer.

Overall, Microsoft’s CASO technology offers a significant performance boost for hybrid laptops without specialized hardware, providing better FPS, lower display latency, and enhanced stability during gaming sessions.

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Background Information

About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

About Microsoft: Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 in Redmond, Washington, USA, is a technology giant known for its wide range of software products, including the Windows operating system, Office productivity suite, and cloud services like Azure. Microsoft also manufactures hardware, such as the Surface line of laptops and tablets, Xbox gaming consoles, and accessories.

About nVidia: NVIDIA has firmly established itself as a leader in the realm of client computing, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in graphics and AI technologies. With a deep commitment to enhancing user experiences, NVIDIA's client computing business focuses on delivering solutions that power everything from gaming and creative workloads to enterprise applications. for its GeForce graphics cards, the company has redefined high-performance gaming, setting industry standards for realistic visuals, fluid frame rates, and immersive experiences. Complementing its gaming expertise, NVIDIA's Quadro and NVIDIA RTX graphics cards cater to professionals in design, content creation, and scientific fields, enabling real-time ray tracing and AI-driven workflows that elevate productivity and creativity to unprecedented heights. By seamlessly integrating graphics, AI, and software, NVIDIA continues to shape the landscape of client computing, fostering innovation and immersive interactions in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Technology Explained

DirectX 11: DirectX 11 is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) developed by Microsoft for use in Windows-based computers. It is used to create high-performance graphics and multimedia applications. DirectX 11 is the latest version of the DirectX API and is used in the latest versions of Windows operating systems. It is used to create 3D graphics, audio, and video applications for gaming, multimedia, and other applications. DirectX 11 provides improved performance, better image quality, and more efficient memory usage. It also supports the latest hardware features such as tessellation, multi-threading, and compute shaders. DirectX 11 is used in a variety of computer applications, including gaming, multimedia, and scientific applications.

DirectX 12: DirectX 12 is a set of advanced graphics and multimedia technologies developed by Microsoft for use in the computer industry. It is the latest version of the DirectX API, which is used to create and run applications that use 3D graphics, audio, and video. DirectX 12 is designed to improve the performance of games and other applications that use 3D graphics, audio, and video. It also provides support for new features such as tessellation, multi-threading, and asynchronous compute. DirectX 12 is used in a variety of applications, including gaming, video editing, and virtual reality. It is also used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. DirectX 12 is an important technology for the computer industry, as it allows developers to create more immersive and realistic experiences for their users.

Geforce: Geforce is a line of graphics processing units (GPUs) developed by Nvidia. It is the most popular GPU used in the computer industry today. Geforce GPUs are used in gaming PCs, workstations, and high-end laptops. They are also used in virtual reality systems, artificial intelligence, and deep learning applications. Geforce GPUs are designed to deliver high performance and power efficiency, making them ideal for gaming and other demanding applications. They are also capable of rendering high-resolution graphics and providing smooth, realistic visuals. Geforce GPUs are used in a variety of applications, from gaming to professional workstations, and are the preferred choice for many computer users.

GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

iGPU: An integrated Graphics Processing Unit (iGPU) is a component built into a computer's central processing unit (CPU) or system-on-chip (SoC) that handles graphical tasks. Unlike dedicated graphics cards, which are separate components, an iGPU shares system resources with the CPU, allowing for basic graphics capabilities without the need for an additional card. While typically less powerful than dedicated GPUs, iGPUs are energy-efficient and well-suited for everyday computing tasks

Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

Radeon: AMD Radeon, a product line by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), consists of graphics processing units (GPUs) recognized for their strong performance in gaming, content creation, and professional applications. Powered by innovative technologies like the RDNA architecture, Radeon GPUs deliver efficient and powerful graphics processing. The brand also supports features like FreeSync, enhancing visual fluidity and reducing screen tearing during gaming. Moreover, AMD Radeon GPUs embrace real-time ray tracing for heightened realism in lighting and reflections. With a balance between price and performance, Radeon competes with NVIDIA's GeForce graphics cards and remains a popular choice for a wide range of users.