For those of you who don't know about PPU's

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scorchio

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PPU or Physics Processing Unit

is the world’s first dedicated physics processing unit – a completely new PC hardware category. The PhysX technology will provide the computing horsepower to calculate, in real-time, complex physics phenomena such as collision, fracture, flow, buoyancy, shear, strain and more. By adding a dedicated engine to handle such tasks, games can incorporate a massive amount of real-time simulation making for more real-time interactivity and less predictability throughout game play.
 
What is the benefit of having a physics card if you are using dual core CPUs and an above-average graphics card? Do you feel that graphics cards aren’t having their full potential tapped and have resources available to help with physics processing?

CPUs are general purpose processors and designed to handle a huge range of applications. They are not, as the PhysX processor is targeted to speed up physical simulations and to efficiently process the massive calculations of fully interactive dynamic worlds. If fact, when running real time physics in a game, even a Dual Core CPU will benefit from the addition of the PhysX processor. As an example, even when you use the entire capability of the Dual Core processors, games can compute an order of magnitude more rigid bodies with the PhysX processor

The PhysX processor is an excellent complement to the graphics chip. Increased physics effects and features within a game increase the need for more advanced graphics processing. History has shown that dedicated hardware for specialized functions such as graphics, sound and more provide for the best end user experience. We are delivering a highly specialized processor that will radically improve game physics effects and game play physics that are just not possible on a graphics chip.
 
Lol - nice one mate. Any idea of ETA, cost etc? Will you guys be getting one? I'm still not sure whether they will be worth it despite the marketing dribble. How is it connected - pic looks pcie?
 
The ETA has not been confirmed was due to be out Jan but was put back,as in the Unreal thread they will be realised roughtly the same time.

The cost roughly £200 and i am getting one,and it fits in the pci slot.

Hope theis helps.
 
I've seen these reviewed in Custom PC a while back, they look very very nice. May have to follow suit and get one myself when they are out.

Could be an interesting one this, good post scorchio ;)
 
I think i`m interested, but want to see some performance proof before I make a(nother) hole in the bank account....

I think it has potential....but will the benefits only be for hardcore gamers? Will ppl with SLI and/or X2 CPUs REALLY notice the difference?
 
I know they are working close with Futuremark so may be crucial if you want top scores in 3D Mark 06,if benching is your thing that is.
 
Thatgs the thing I was wondering Kenny - if you have a dual core cpu and you're playing a game that is optimised to make use of both cores is there really going to be w worthwile difference, guess we will just have to wait and see.

Also if its just PCi this is another which will need replacing when PCI is no more ala soundcard thread :(
 
I'm confident it will make a difference with both single and dual care systems,it's designed to take some of the work load of the cpu.

Only time will tell

P.S What else do you want know nick
 
Master_G said:
What is the connector on top of the card for?

G
Click to expand...

Somehow I missed this and its a very good question. Surely they're aren't planning a SLI similar tech with PPUs :D
 
I don't think there is a connector on the top tbh. Think its just a molex connector cos I'm lookin at custom PC atm and they have a pic of it with no cooler on and theres only a molex connector.
 
nick25 said:
Thatgs the thing I was wondering Kenny - if you have a dual core cpu and you're playing a game that is optimised to make use of both cores is there really going to be w worthwile difference, guess we will just have to wait and see.

Also if its just PCi this is another which will need replacing when PCI is no more ala soundcard thread :(
Click to expand...

What this brings to the table is potentially an enormaous amount of reality to how the bodies you shoot react - the way the shrapnel flies, realitime damage on cars in racing this lil puppy will give you eye candy galore with superb reality, even if you dont bench this is a must have for 2006.

Mav
 
What will be the difference in FPS between with and without tho...things are looking good as they are for realism. If the game is coded to have good physics..it`ll be visible, even without a PPU. The arc of a flying barrel might not be as smooth without a PPU, but if my game character is too busy getting out of the barrels way....will I notice? :) To need an X2, SLI and a PPU to play a game is getting silly. IMHO.
 
Agreed the PPU should be a onboard solution provided by the motherboard - it could also mean that SLI or crossfire is not necessary for the ultimate gaming experience.
 
The PPU will actually ony deal with the equations and numbers taking strain of the CPU, the GPU will still do it's job, acording to CPC issue 027.

Looks like it could help the benchies rather nicely for CPU tasks then.
 
Another thing to scrape the pounds out of our pockets IMO, will improve things a bit but the bang for buck looks a little small.

As always i reserve judgement until it is released though.

G
 
I was dubious aswell until I looked at the screenshots and videos of it. Dunno what the test system is but it does look very nice.
 
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