AGEIA PhysX processor $$$

[dopefishzzz]

The cards based on the new AGEIA PhysX processor will start sampling in Q3 2005, and when they appear in retail in Q4 their price is supposed to be between $249 and $299.

Source: XBITS LABS @ E3

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/editorial/display/e3-2005_6.html

Will you stil buy those card at such a high price ?

I tough this was the last chance for PC gaming to survive/advance, but at 299$, I'm don't think they have a chance... I will still be buying one, though...

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'll probably have to buy one.

 

[dullard]

They really look like a great concept that many people would want. However, many people also want $500 gaming rigs complete with everything. Something has to give. And I suspect at $249 that something will be the PPU. Once prices get <$50, then we are talking a whole new ballgame.

 

[racolvin]

I think its a great idea but until the PhysX processor is integrated onto the same board as the GPU, I won't be buying one. Given the amout of data that will need to be crunched for the physics to work as anticipated with this card, the PCI bus is just too slow. It belongs on the video card.

 

[MobiusPizza]

Originally posted by: racolvin
until the PhysX processer is integrated onto the same board as the GPU, I won't be buying one.

What if something like that is never out
Or like tonnes of games already support it but your vision is still not enlightened?

I know it's expensive. We'll have to wait and see if the benefit is really worth that sum money

 

[dopefishzzz]

I think they are missing a great opportunity !

They should sell those cards really low (at cost, if necessary) to let the everyone get those cards,

then sell better performing cards, for more money, and start making money out of it.

Bad bad marketing strategy if you ask me ... at 249$ I'll probably be the only one of all my gaming friends to get one...

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX

Originally posted by: racolvin
until the PhysX processer is integrated onto the same board as the GPU, I won't be buying one.

What if something like that is never out
Or like tonnes of games already support it but your vision is still not enlightened?

I know it's expensive. We'll have to wait and see if the benefit is really worth that sum money

Oh hey I'll be the first in line to buy one if they can really make it work via 32bit/33Mhz PCI slots and live up to the hype. The money isn't the issue for me, its the implementation. Seeing something potentially that powerful (and I do like the idea, don't get me wrong), crippled by using the slow-arse PCI bus doesn't give me confidence that they'll be able to live up to the expectations they're creating.

But I'm absolutely open to being wrong

By putting it on the same card as the GPU in the 16x PCI-e slot, they'll be able to move the data back and forth to the PPU fast enough to be useful.

Oh, and obviously this is personal opinion and based on nothing but speculation on my part. Not being a hardware engineer I don't for a fact KNOW they can't make it work, it just doesn't seem likely

:beer:

R

 

[imported_burningrave101]

I would never pay $250 for just a PhysX processor. If they get down around $100 or less then yea maybe. Video cards are expensive enough as it is without me having to buy a high-end video card AND another $250 card.

 

[jrphoenix]

I too would buy one. I was surprised they are using PCI slots instead of express slots (good for me with the mobo I have). What games will use this thing... won't they have to be programmed for it?

The only thing I have on my PCI bus is my Audigy 2. So, if this thing uses too many resources I wonder if it would dork up my sound

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: dopefishzzz
I think they are missing a great opportunity !

They should sell those cards really low (at cost, if necessary) to let the everyone get those cards,

then sell better performing cards, for more money, and start making money out of it.

Bad bad marketing strategy if you ask me ... at 249$ I'll probably be the only one of all my gaming friends to get one...

I agree completely. I'll still very seriously consider buying one at that price if it seems to be worth it (although that price is kinda pushing it), but most people don't even pay $249 for a video card...they're not going to want to pay that much for something they don't even understand the use of

 

[dopefishzzz]

Absolutely right.

I had big hopes in that product,

Think they are gone now.

I'll buy one just to help AGEIA start up, but I seriously don't think they have any futur..

That's kind of sad, because it could add SO much to the gaming experience,

Hell one could get one of those new consoles for about the same price!!

HEY ! It's just an add-on card !!! 299$ ? Are you crazy !

 

[MobiusPizza]

Originally posted by: racolvin
Oh hey I'll be the first in line to buy one if they can really make it work via 32bit/33Mhz PCI slots and live up to the hype. The money isn't the issue for me, its the implementation. Seeing something potentially that powerful (and I do like the idea, don't get me wrong), crippled by using the slow-arse PCI bus doesn't give me confidence that they'll be able to live up to the expectations they're creating.

But I'm absolutely open to being wrong

By putting it on the same card as the GPU in the 16x PCI-e slot, they'll be able to move the data back and forth to the PPU fast enough to be useful.

Oh, and obviously this is personal opinion and based on nothing but speculation on my part. Not being a hardware engineer I don't for a fact KNOW they can't make it work, it just doesn't seem likely

:beer:

R

Yeah I agree with you in terms of its implementation.

Originally they mentioned it's going to be PCI Express x4; And that's why I planned to get DFi nForce 4 Ultra motherboard because it has a 4x PCI Express channel.

I'd probably wait till they get a PCI-Express card out; or they managed to work up the expectation with a PCI implementation.

How can they say "PCI Express slot is uncommon"?
With x1 cards not even out on market yet surely many people have nothing but a waste of resource having their x1 slot empty.

x1 is still much better than the old PCI channel
And they think all people would have PCI slots?
To be honest after I buy a nForce 4 motherboard I would be short for PCI slots. My old Audigy 2 ZS would take one up already.

 

[her34]

we need to see in game performance before judging price

 

[imported_X]

I think it's funny that so many people are saying, "They probably won't succeed, it is too expensive", but then adding "but I plan to buy one myself."

 

[shabby]

This ppu better be impressive and taken fully advantage of or its not gonna sell for 300 bucks. 150 tops, but not 300.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: X
I think it's funny that so many people are saying, "They probably won't succeed, it is too expensive", but then adding "but I plan to buy one myself."

Well, I imagine it's because those of us who are so-called "hardcore gamers" and/or don't mind spending cash on high-end PC hardware, are very excited about this device. However we can also see that the majority of ("normal") people aren't even going to consider it, once they see the price tag...

 

[Malak]

I will definitely buy one. Already being used by developers and the concept is great. This is the one thing that will help most to bring us to the next generation of gaming.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: KruptosAngelos
I will definitely buy one. Already being used by developers and the concept is great. This is the one thing that will help most to bring us to the next generation of gaming.

I agree. When someone first posted a thread about this a few months back, I noted that graphics are sort of getting nicer as we go along...but environments are still mostly static, interaction is limited, etc. I'm glad that UE3 is supposed to be making use of this...I can't wait to see what's done with it!

 

[racolvin]

Just as a side note ...

Here is an example of what I'd like to see done. Rather than two GPU's, make one of them the PhysiX chip. This arrangement would put the PhysX on the same card with the GPU, making data transfer between them faster, and they would both be on either the PCI-e slot or an 8x AGP slot, either of which would be WAY faster than having the PPU on the standard 32bit/33Mhz PCI bus.

Just my $0.02

:beer:

R

 

[Dman877]

Unless a PPU gets integrated onto a video card along with a fpu (foliage processing unit, you've heard of that right?) and doesn't add more then 50$ to the cost, I doubt it takes off. With dual core cpu's being the wave of the future, I don't think any of these additional processors are going to be needed.

250$? They must be joking.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Unless a PPU gets integrated onto a video card along with a fpu (foliage processing unit, you've heard of that right?) and doesn't add more then 50$ to the cost, I doubt it takes off. With dual core cpu's being the wave of the future, I don't think any of these additional processors are going to be needed.

250$? They must be joking.

Did you read about it at all? Are you going to completely dismiss the fact that developers, including Epic and Microsoft, are buying into it?

 

[Dman877]

Yes I read all about it. Personally, I don't think games need to be that realistic. HL2 is as good as graphics and realism games need to get imo. Now they need to innovate not just throw more mandatory hardware and eye candy at us.

 

[Goi]

I don't know, but this situation reminds me of the original Voodoo Graphics

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Yes I read all about it. Personally, I don't think games need to be that realistic. HL2 is as good as graphics and realism games need to get imo. Now they need to innovate not just throw more mandatory hardware and eye candy at us.

I for one am glad that not everyone thinks HL2 is "good enough" as far as graphics and "realism" (term used loosely)...

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: dullard
They really look like a great concept that many people would want. However, many people also want $500 gaming rigs complete with everything. Something has to give. And I suspect at $249 that something will be the PPU. Once prices get <$50, then we are talking a whole new ballgame.

I agree.

These things remind me of how sound cards once were, completly optional but if your software supported it they made a nice differance. Early soundblasters were low quality when compaired to todays models and used to cost between $125-250 and sometimes more.