GeForce 8600 GT as a physics card???

[GWBiasuz]

Question ...

I´ve got and Geforce 8600 GT on my system.

But what i really want is a better dual monitor graphics solution... My question is,
can i upgrade my system with an 8800 Ultra for instance, and maintain my older hardware as sort an "physics" solution ????

and maintain SLI OFFF !!!

i mean, the 8600 gt will stand there still... just eating some power, or will it be of some use???



Thanks

 

[SergeC]

Until NVidia releases the physX implementation for its video cards (or at least a lot more info on it), we have no idea.

 

[angry hampster]

Even if you were just using it as a physics card, you'd just be eating power for the most part.

 

[Sylvanas]

Knowing Nv, you will need two cards of the same model (both high end) and have them in SLI in order to 'turn one into a Physics card'. I would sell the 8600 and put that towards your next upgrade.

 

[GWBiasuz]

Gotcha...

I´ve checked my computer and has an PCIe 1.1 16x...
do you guys know what kind of performance penalty would i get if choose to buy a PCIe 2.0 16x ???
I know it is supposed to be half of the bandwith .... but, does anyone know some figures??? Does it really matter that much???
There´s 8800 PCIe 2.0 16x AND PCIe 1.1 16x !!!!!!!!!!!!!


All in sake of upgrading !!! hehe...

 

[ther00kie16]

PCIe 1.1 isn't close to being a limiting factor right now so you'll see little if any performance penalty. also, 8800 ultra is outdated, get a 8800gts 512mb or wait for new cards coming out in 2 weeks.

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
Knowing Nv, you will need two cards of the same model (both high end) and have them in SLI in order to 'turn one into a Physics card'. I would sell the 8600 and put that towards your next upgrade.

As it's going to be using CUDA now this is not an issue. The 8600 is CUDA capable and, IIRC, you can't use cards that are currently in an SLI array as a CUDA target. Whether or not the 8600 will give you a performance boost is a good question, though.