What changes with driver 621.01?
For Advanced Shader Delivery on NVIDIA, the reported requirements are driver 621.01 or later, Windows 11 24H2 or later and the Xbox PC app. The Verge reports support for RTX 20 through RTX 50 series GPUs and RTX Spark, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Gears of War: E-Day as the first games. Check that combination before buying hardware to address shader compilation waits.
NVIDIA lists Game Ready driver 621.01 with an October 21, 2026 release date. The same driver is Game Ready for Phantom Blade Zero, according to NVIDIA. That driver support does not establish Advanced Shader Delivery support for Phantom Blade Zero.
How much shader compilation time could it save?
Microsoft says Advanced Shader Delivery cuts shader compilation time by about 95% in Gears of War: E-Day. That is Microsoft’s reported result for that game. It does not establish a 95% frame-rate gain or guarantee that every game will stop stuttering.
Treat this as a way to reduce the shader compilation wait in supported games. This report is research-based; The Hardware Pick has not measured that reduction independently.
How to turn it on
Use this 3-step setup checklist to check the requirements reported by The Verge and Microsoft:
- Check your Windows version and GPU. You need Windows 11 24H2 or later and a supported RTX 20 through RTX 50 series GPU or RTX Spark.
- Install NVIDIA Game Ready driver 621.01 or later. Use NVIDIA’s driver page to check the release information.
- Use the Xbox PC app for a supported game. The first games named are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Gears of War: E-Day. Match the game and storefront to the announced support before expecting a shorter shader compilation wait.
This checklist covers the announced prerequisites. It does not assume an undocumented in-game switch or a separate NVIDIA Control Panel setting.
What is still unknown?
The Verge reports Steam and Epic support as coming soon, with no date specified. If your copy is on either storefront, wait for a dated support announcement before treating the feature as available there.
The reported Gears of War: E-Day result also leaves your own PC’s compilation time unmeasured. The supported-GPU list alone cannot tell you how much time your particular setup will save.
What to do before buying a GPU or SSD
Keep your current hardware while you check the software requirements. RTX 20 through RTX 50 support is a reason to verify eligibility before assuming you need a newer card. A new GPU or NVMe SSD should have a separate, demonstrated purpose in your upgrade plan; the announcement alone does not establish that either purchase is necessary.
If you are already planning a desktop upgrade, choose a graphics card around your system’s needs. For a portable PC, compare our RTX 5060 gaming laptop guide. Modern Warfare players can also check the game’s PC requirements before deciding what to replace.
Our research method explains how we handle manufacturer claims and independent evidence.