pic of PhysX PPU

[concernedsophist]

If this baby is going to be making all of these physics calculations is it going to be slowed down at all by being on the pci bus? I know that pci can handle a decent amount of throughput, but will it be enough?

 

[Twistah]

yea, I think PCI-bus has more than enough bandwith for it not to be a limitation. Remember that the PPU only does physics calculations, so it pretty much is a raw number cruncher. It won't be handling textures or anything of that kind swallowing heaps of bandwith. The raw data it sends to GPU/CPU shouldn't be too straining on the bandwith of the PCI-bus I think....anyone else have a different opinion on this matter?

 

[MobiusPizza]

Originally posted by: Twistah
yea, I think PCI-bus has more than enough bandwith for it not to be a limitation. Remember that the PPU only does physics calculations, so it pretty much is a raw number cruncher. It won't be handling textures or anything of that kind swallowing heaps of bandwith. The raw data it sends to GPU/CPU shouldn't be too straining on the bandwith of the PCI-bus I think....anyone else have a different opinion on this matter?

Not sure about that. Maths forms like Matricies still occupies quite big memory especially matrix clculations are error-prone with less precision numbers
But I think the PCI would handle it though
But PCI-E does give it more headroom and why use the old PCI anyways when enthusasits have all those PCIeX1 lying unused?

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Fan cooling and a PSU power connector. :thumbsdown:

Just what I need in my case, more heat and another fan.

Fan Cooling - let down especially for quiet PC builds but at least they are using a Sunon Fan. Not skimping on quality.

Power Connector - This card is PCI... PCI-E spec provides more power so there may not be a need for a power connector by the time a PCI-E one is released.

Performance-wise, its all up in the air whether it will make a splash or a ripple. It certainly could add a certain amount of realism to certain game effects.

 

[Czar]

Wont be worth it this christmas, might be worth it next christmas, its new and lacks support for now.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
I keep looking at the picture and noticing that something is not right... I keep thinking it should have a VGA or DVI connector on the back of it! It looks quite odd to see a card like a huge fan on it and have no connectors on the back... Just different is all .

Looks to me like they even used an existing video card PCB for the build... You're right, it does look weird without connectors.

 

[Twistah]

Originally posted by: Elcs

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Fan cooling and a PSU power connector. :thumbsdown:

Just what I need in my case, more heat and another fan.

Fan Cooling - let down especially for quiet PC builds but at least they are using a Sunon Fan. Not skimping on quality.

Power Connector - This card is PCI... PCI-E spec provides more power so there may not be a need for a power connector by the time a PCI-E one is released.

Performance-wise, its all up in the air whether it will make a splash or a ripple. It certainly could add a certain amount of realism to certain game effects.

It will need 20W to be powered

 

[her34]

Originally posted by: Czar
Wont be worth it this christmas, might be worth it next christmas, its new and lacks support for now.

and the tech videos weren't impressive

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: her34

Originally posted by: Czar
Wont be worth it this christmas, might be worth it next christmas, its new and lacks support for now.

and the tech videos weren't impressive

Definately wait to buy until games you want to play support it. The tech videos are low graphic quality, but physicially high demanding.

 

[biostud]

My guess is that a PPU card will have the longevity of sound cards if not more, and if that holds it would be pretty stupid to put it on a videocard or motherboard, as it would increase the costs of these too much.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: chrisrod01

Originally posted by: bob4432
can anybody point me in the direction of this thing actually doing anything? if you are able to buy this you are probably running a 2x7800gtx in sli with a x2 4800 & 2GB ram. i doubt this would help. somebody prove me wrong....

Let me just say I seen it. Brief summary
6800gt(i think it was gt or ultra)
without it with it
cpu level 45-60% 5-10%
fps 5-8fps 35fps

need i say more . The only thing doing is takeing all the process of calculating all the physics in the game the card does that. Thats why the cpu level and fps improve

but for the price the tester could have gotten a 7800gtx or if the price is $300 for the physx, 2x7800gts in sli. who care what cpus levels are, especially with dc

also, link to the test please

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: biostud
My guess is that a PPU card will have the longevity of sound cards if not more, and if that holds it would be pretty stupid to put it on a videocard or motherboard, as it would increase the costs of these too much.

Id agree almost to the word.

Id take out the word card. With SLI, popping a PPU onto a graphics card is no easy task... especially when you have to sync up the PPU's as well as everything else.

I believe the PPU itself will live a very long life and be an essential part of the PC whether integrated or in card form. Biostud has the right idea, this is a step forward for the better of the gaming industry as a whole. Cost is going to be the major holdback factor but I can see it taking a firm grip within the next 2 years.