Physics Processing Unit

[apoppin]

everybody's favourite:

AGEIA Physics Processing Unit demoed

This hardware add-in card presents 40,000 bones (rigid bodies) on screen at a time, while even Dual core AMD or Intel CPUs can calculate just few hundreds. When it comes to Fluids, PPU can render even more rigid bodies. Your game will look like never before.

AGEIA says sample cards will be ready in Q3. Actually, hardware is ready even now but AEGIA wants to wait for content before launching. The cards should be available in retail sometimes in Q4.

A company spokesman said that in retail those cards should cost between 250 and $300. WE understand Asus will be one of the first companies who will offer those cards in retail.

Its interesting to notice that many of the AGEIA executives comes from 3DFX . . .

AND [not the inq]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=140">AGEIA PhysX Physics Processing Unit
Preivew</a>
Weird mispelling in the title . . . i am LATE for work so IF this has been ALREADY posted, it is posted here AGAIN
:roll:

aloha

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: apoppin
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=140">AGEIA PhysX Physics Processing Unit
Preivew</a>
Weird mispelling in the title . . . i am LATE for work so IF this has been ALREADY posted, it is posted here AGAIN
:roll:

aloha

I don't know if I agree with that guy's conclusions. First of all, when he says that the upgrade cycle won't be the same, I disagree. He says:

"What, that's not enough of a hassle for you? Well then think about this: say by some miracle it only takes a year to get the current gen PhysX processor in every gaming PC. Game developers can then create games that allow for a great level of interaction: now you can destroy every item in the game, down to a fist sized object and still maintain good performance. But then AGEIA or some other technology company releases a newer PPU that has the power to calculate that same destruction level but down to a coin sized piece. Great right? Well, then we have to go through this same transition time again, as a developer can not fully utilize the power of the new PPU until the majority of users has upgraded. "

What about having the software recognize the abilities of the PPU and adjust accordingly. If you have a brand new PPU, then all of the character's hair will move and flow. If you have an older one, then it will move in bunches to reduce the calculations.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: apoppin


<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=140">AGEIA PhysX Physics Processing Unit
Preivew</a>
Weird mispelling in the title . . . i am LATE for work so IF this has been ALREADY posted, it is posted here AGAIN
:roll:

aloha

What about checking the post right above?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: biostud

Originally posted by: apoppin


<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=140">AGEIA PhysX Physics Processing Unit
Preivew</a>
Weird mispelling in the title . . . i am LATE for work so IF this has been ALREADY posted, it is posted here AGAIN
:roll:

aloha

What about checking the post right above?

what is it you don't understand about the word "late"? [LATE]
:roll:

you didn't copy the title - which is fine - but don't expect me to click on your link . . . i ALSO posted AnOThER relevant link and quote which you very conveniently edited out
:thumbsdown:

no apology.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: apoppin
no apology.

as if I ever was looking for one......

 

[IntelUser2000]

Hmm, Cell and Xenon is not really general purpose CPUs are Pentiums and Athlons are. Cell is more specific purpose than Xenon from what I have heard, and the specific purpose of playing games more fluently than general purpose CPUs in PCs.

Hmm, I wonder if PPU would be good for people with integrated graphics. Since it seems that top of the line PPU would be cheaper than top of the line GPU, I would get a PPU with the integrated graphics.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: IntelUser2000
Hmm, Cell and Xenon is not really general purpose CPUs are Pentiums and Athlons are. Cell is more specific purpose than Xenon from what I have heard, and the specific purpose of playing games more fluently than general purpose CPUs in PCs.

Hmm, I wonder if PPU would be good for people with integrated graphics. Since it seems that top of the line PPU would be cheaper than top of the line GPU, I would get a PPU with the integrated graphics.

You would still need a videocard to process textures, color and shade all the pixels.

 

[IntelUser2000]

"You would still need a videocard to process textures, color and shade all the pixels.

True, but then since I never play the latest games, PPU would suffice for me at least since I bet not all PPU enabled games would be demanding as Doom 3 is now.

Plus, my friends who play the latest games like Doom 3 don't see the need beyond Radeon 9800 AIW, they never bother with stuff like AA/AF so why bother with the top of the line card? Hell Geforce 6600 itself is overkill, ATI Radeon X600 is enough.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: IntelUser2000
"You would still need a videocard to process textures, color and shade all the pixels.

True, but then since I never play the latest games, PPU would suffice for me at least since I bet not all PPU enabled games would be demanding as Doom 3 is now.

Plus, my friends who play the latest games like Doom 3 don't see the need beyond Radeon 9800 AIW, they never bother with stuff like AA/AF so why bother with the top of the line card? Hell Geforce 6600 itself is overkill, ATI Radeon X600 is enough.

.....so you think that games that are not very demanding will support the hardware fewest people are probably going to invest in?

What kind of games with no demand for high end graphic cards do you think will take use of the PPU?

Sure you can run these games with low res textures and other eye candy turned off and low res, but first the PPU will probably only enhance dynamic graphics and then there's no need for the PPU if you don't have a videocard that can handle these things. First when the majorety of gamers have a PPU will it be incorporated into game physics, instead of advanced eye candy.

Basically if your friends only need a X600 to enjoy Doom 3 they have absolutely no use of the PPU until it's actually necessary to run the latest games. And since your freinds don't play the latest games, just wait 3 years until you invest in a PPU.

 

[ryanv12]

Also keep in mind that previous games will not support the PPU. The game has to be written to use it. Therefore, you'll only be playing the newest games with the newest graphics requirements.

 

[newParadigm]

This will make it easier when a form of 3 Dimensional Interaction with the comoputer is developed (as opposed to simply a 2 Dimensional Screen) Supposedly the army has some type of 3D 'monitor' that they use to do sims of bombings and missles targets and the such. So far they're very small (6x6x6 inches) and hella expensive.