Physics card

[PeteRoy]

Everytime I hear about this physics processing unit I think it is more being made because companies trying to find more ways to squeeze gamers for their money.

Is it really needed? Aren't the latest cpu strong enough to calculate physics calculations? And moreover now with dual core processors...

So is it really needed by game developers to make games more realistic or is it just to profit?

 

[CrispyFried]

CPUs are too general to be really be effecient at physic. The new chip is specialized.

 

[MobiusPizza]

Yes, the CPU is underpowered for dedicated real-time physics emulation

If CPU can do all that it would be silly for them to release such a chip because not many customers are silly enough to buy them I'd say.

The fact that the PPU is quite expensive caused a stir. However considering all the research time and effort put in it's forgivable. Time will soon make these things more affordable.

 

[dullard]

Graphics card.

Is it made because it really NEEDED or for MONEY?

Everytime I hear about this graphics processing unit I think it is more being made because companies trying to find more ways to squeeze gamers for their money.

Is it really needed? Aren't the latest cpu strong enough to calculate graphics calculations? And moreover now with dual core processors...

So is it really needed by game developers to make games more realistic or is it just to profit?

 

[dullard]

My point above is that they are all needed for the most detailed looking games. Sure people had lots of fun with wonderful games 5, 10, 15 years ago with crap for a CPU and no graphics card and no physics card. Thus I guess you could say they aren't necessary to play a game. But today's gamers want detail, detail, detail.

Why buy a $400 video card when a $50 will play the same game? Because you get more detail with the $400 card.

Why buy a $700 CPU when a $100 CPU will play the same game? Because you get more detail with the $700 CPU.

Why buy a $300 PPU when your CPU will play the same game? Because you get more detail with the $300 PPU.

Eventually, all prices plummet. A 1 GHz Athlon no longer costs $1300. A 1.5 GHz P4 no longer costs $700. Soon, a PPU will no longer cost $300. It will eventually become a price level that will let just about any gamer buy one. Think about it: a $400 GPU will look about the same as a $200 GPU and a $100 PPU. So you actually will save money...

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: PeteRoy
Is it really needed? Aren't the latest cpu strong enough to calculate physics calculations? And moreover now with dual core processors...

Strong enough for what? For physics of yesterday, yes. But the physics currently in game are FAR from perfect.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Actually I am waitig to have a dualcore 4800+ at 3.2 on Vapochill, 2 watercooled SLI G70's, 4 Raptors in RAID 0, and 2 custom Ageia chips in SLI mode. I WILL achieve 1000fps in Quake 3 hahahhahahahaahahahahahhahaahhaahha

 

[Vernor]

Soon, a PPU will no longer cost $300. It will eventually become a price level that will let just about any gamer buy one.

Or it will just fade away.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: Vernor
Soon, a PPU will no longer cost $300. It will eventually become a price level that will let just about any gamer buy one.

Or it will just fade away.

I think you will fade away first.

 

[Vernor]

I think you will fade away first.

I have this Sigma decoder card I can selll you for a nice price...

 

[MobiusPizza]

What are u guys on about?

 

[l Xes l]

it was only developed cause there's gonna be money in it

 

[imported_Kensai]

It was also developed because most high end and active physics calculations will kill a high end CPU during a game. It just doesn't have enough power. Also, GPUs are actually faster than most CPUs compartitively where the GPU calculates video data and the CPU calculates whatever else.

That's why sound engineers use a program that transforms their sound into visual data for the video card to calculate, thus working faster than having to calculate it off the CPU.

I suspect that the PPUs will be stuck in the high-mid to high end sectors of the gaming niche, due to the increased cost.

 

[Maluno]

Originally posted by: krnxpride83
it was only developed cause there's gonna be money in it

Like SLI? (not a troll)

 

[batmanuel]

Originally posted by: Vernor
Soon, a PPU will no longer cost $300. It will eventually become a price level that will let just about any gamer buy one.

Or it will just fade away.

Or the company that makes it could start licensing the tech out to graphics chip vendors so that eventually ATi and nVidia start integrating PPUs into their graphics chipsets. I get a feeling that if they have even moderate success with the PPU card, chances are they will get gobbled up by either ATi or nVidia. Or maybe Creative will buy them and add the PPU into their sound cards.

The PPUs could be extremely useful if Maya, 3ds MAX and other animation apps can be written to offload some of the physics calculations to the PPU. If the precision is good enough, maybe the PPU could even be used to help with simulation software as well. Perhaps future engineering workstations might be equipped with at least one PPU, and perhaps even multiple (or multicore) PPUs for workstations doing really heavy physics calculations such as simulating how different prototype automobile body designs handle crashes.

 

[Chode Messiah]

Originally posted by: michaelpatrick33
Actually I am waitig to have a dualcore 4800+ at 3.2 on Vapochill, 2 watercooled SLI G70's, 4 Raptors in RAID 0, and 2 custom Ageia chips in SLI mode. I WILL achieve 1000fps in Quake 3 hahahhahahahaahahahahahhahaahhaahha

Sounds like a Plan! BTW, 1000fps in quake3 has been done.

 

[batmanuel]

Originally posted by: Chode Messiah

Originally posted by: michaelpatrick33
Actually I am waitig to have a dualcore 4800+ at 3.2 on Vapochill, 2 watercooled SLI G70's, 4 Raptors in RAID 0, and 2 custom Ageia chips in SLI mode. I WILL achieve 1000fps in Quake 3 hahahhahahahaahahahahahhahaahhaahha

Sounds like a Plan! BTW, 1000fps in quake3 has been done.

How about a million FPS in old school Doom?

 

[PerfeK]

ONLY THE HIGH END PPU'S WILL BE $300. Aegeia will release a budget model. They are just launching with the high end. If you didn't spend $300 on your video card, it doesn't make sense spending $300 on your PPU. Wait for the budget models which will come AFTER the big launch.

 

[imported_booradley]

For now, I'll trust my CPU to do relatively basic physics calculations, thank you very much.

 

[Chode Messiah]

Originally posted by: batmanuel

Originally posted by: Chode Messiah

Originally posted by: michaelpatrick33
Actually I am waitig to have a dualcore 4800+ at 3.2 on Vapochill, 2 watercooled SLI G70's, 4 Raptors in RAID 0, and 2 custom Ageia chips in SLI mode. I WILL achieve 1000fps in Quake 3 hahahhahahahaahahahahahhahaahhaahha

Sounds like a Plan! BTW, 1000fps in quake3 has been done.

How about a million FPS in old school Doom?

classic:thumbsup:

 

[hippotautamus]

1000FPS in quak3 is a very impressive achievement, but I intend to break it...muwahahaha.

With my p4 northwood...I need phase :'(

 

[Vernor]

Then maybe the whole business plan is to get bought by either ATI/NV.
Wouldn't be the first time.


Establishing your own presence in the retail market is brutal.