- Jan 16, 2003
- 21,211
- 50
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Hey folks,
I'm collecting the most frequently asked questions about PhysX in the vid forum and placing them here. If you have a question about PhysX and it's not in the FAQ, please ask.
Q: Can we get a list of upcoming games that are announcing physx support?
A: Current and upcoming games list
Mirrors Edge
Unreal Tournament 3
GRAW2
Warmonger
Natural Motion's "Backbreaker" (Football)
Nurien (social networking service)
GRIN's Bionic Commando
Metal Knight Zero
Divinity 2: Ego Draconis ("Emergent" just announced incorporating PhysX into it's Gamebryo game engine.)
APB (Realtime Worlds? upcoming massively multiplayer online game)
Cellfactor Video of Cellfactor running PhysX on an 8800GT
Aliens: Colonel Marines Official Site
FutureMark?s Shattered Horizon Shattered Horizon Trailer
1C's "Cryostasis" Trailer
Will list more as they emerge.
---------------------
F.A.Q.
Q: Where do I download the PhysX driver and PhysX content?
A: All of the latest Forceware drivers include PhysX support. And PhysX content is Right here.
------------------
Q: My rig has an 8800GTX as its main video card, however I also have an 8600GT in it as well driving extra monitors. Does anyone know if it is (or will be) possible to tell PhysX enabled games to utilize the 8600GT as a dedicated Physics engine?
A: Yes, that's exactly what you can do. See below for the Vista setup.
-------------------
Q: I was looking at an 8400GS thats passive cooled. How would this compare to a 9600 series card? I want to keep my 8800GT for my main graphics card and get a cheap second card for Phsx.
A: When rendering, a 9600GT would annihilate a 8400GS obviously. But for dedicated PhysX use, the 8400GS would probably be fine. I have heard reports (and will be testing this myself) of people using onboard integrated 8 series GPU's for their dedicated PhysX calculations. It seems that PhysX does not take that much of a toll on shaders.
NOTE: Attempted to run PhysX processing on the 780a chipset onboard GPU. PhysX did not recognize the onboard GPU. This was with a driver from August '08. I haven't tried it with newer drivers yet.
Qbah, one of the members here reminded me of it. I may try this again with up to date drivers.
--------
Q: I am a bit confused, Do u not need an SLi m/b to hook up two Nvidia's even if its for Physx??
A: An SLI capable motherboard is not needed to run two Nvidia GPU's (one for rendering, one for PhysX). Only a motherboard with 2 PCI-e slots.
You can even run this setup on a Crossfire motherboard if you wanted. Additionally, no SLI bridge is required with this setup.
--------
Q: Will I have a problem setting up a dedicated PhysX GPU on a Windows Vista system?
A:NOTE: This is no longer necessary with the latest Foreware drivers (180.xx and up).. Windows Vista has a WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model) limitation/restriction of a single display driver instance. There is a workaround for this limitation.
One workaround, is to extend the Windows Desktop across a second monitor by connecting a second monitor to the secondary (dedicated PhysX) GPU, and extend the desktop to the second monitor.
Many monitors today, have multiple inputs (LCD's usually have 1 DVI and 1 D-Sub connectors). If this is your case, you can connect the second monitor connection to the second GPU and extend
the desktop that way.
1. Install both GPU's into your motherboard with the GPU you intend to use for rendering in the Primary (top) PCI-e slot, and the GPU you intend to run PhysX in the second PCI-e slot.
2. Install the 177.83 driver (This driver includes the latest PhysX drivers and is considerably larger than a standard forceware driver. About 109MB so it will take longer than usual to install.).
3. Reboot and set your proper desktop resolution.
4. If you have a monitor with two connections (DVI & D-Sub), connect the second connection to the first output (closest to motherboard) of the second (PhysX) GPU.
5. If you have a second monitor, connect it to the first output (closest to motherboard) of the second (PhysX) GPU.
6. Right click on your desktop and choose "Personalize". Then click on "Display Settings" down on the bottom.
7. On the "Monitor" Tab, click on the second largest monitor available in the window, then check the box next to "Extend the desktop onto this monitor". You can leave this monitors resolution set to 1024x768 if desired. Will have no effect on anything.
8. Choose "Apply" and if prompted, choose to keep settings and close the application.
9. Click Start --> All Programs --> Nvidia Corporation --> Nvidia PhysX Properties, and the PhysX properties window will appear.
10. Choose the "Settings Tab" and click the "Select GPU for GeForce PhysX" button. From there, choose whichever card you have in the second PCI-e slot that you are using for Physx only. Click "Apply" and "OK".
11. You're done. PhysX will now run on the second GPU only leaving the Primary GPU to render.
-------------------
Q: Is PhysX compatible with SLI?
A: Yes, PhysX is compatible with Nvidia 8 series and later SLI setups.
-------------------
Q: Is PhysX subject to the same scaling issues as regular SLI? Is it better or worse scaling?
A: There probably will be games that do not scale with SLI, but do indeed support PhysX. Nvidia offers pretty good profile support for most games, but, In a case like that, I would think that PhysX would be best run on the second GPU in non SLI mode for the best possible performance. As for the percentage of performance improvement over a single card with PhysX, I think the performance would be linear, or in line with regular SLI non PhysX setups.
-------------------
Q: Does SLI PhysX induce any more "SLI problems" than regular SLI, such as microstuttering?
A: Unknown to me at this point, but worth testing it out. I'll get back to you on this one.
-------------------
Q: How many games are compatible with GPU PhysX? Which ones are they?
A: UT3 (3 PhysX levels with the mod pack), GRAW2 (Ageia Island level), Warmonger (100% PhysX). Mirrors Edge (100% PhysX) due out in Jan 09.
-------------------
Q: Does using a dedicated PhysX GPU undo any of the FPS loss that "regular" GPU PhysX induces? How do the two GPU PhysX methods compare?
A: Yes, using a dedicated PhysX GPU definitely lightens the load on the primary GPU. Frees it up to do only rendering. For a comparison, I ran UT3 and GRAW2
using a single 9800GTX+ at a resolution of 1920x1200. Then ran the same bench and settings using a 9800GTX+ for the primary rendering card, and a 8800GTS512 to run PhysX alone.
UT3 HeatRayPhysX level 1920x1200
Single 9800GTX+ rendering and running PhysX
Min: 25 Avg: 34 Max: 53
9800GTX+ rendering & 8800GTS512 running PhysX
Min: 32 Avg: 44 Max: 72
So about a 30% performance improvement in minimum framerate over using a single 9800GTX+ doing everything by itself in UT3.
GRAW2: 1920x1200 edge smoothing AA and 8XAF "Ageia Island"
Single 9800GTX+ rendering and running PhysX
Min: 25 Avg: 53 Max: 82
9800GTX+ rendering & 8800GTS512 running PhysX
Min: 34 Avg: 60 Max: 89
About a 36% performance improvement in minimum framerate over a using a single 9800GTX+ doing everything by itself in GRAW2.
---------------------
Q: Will ATI cards be able to run PhysX?
A: NOTE: This effort has been abandoned due to AMD's non participation. Nvidia is currently helping Eran Badit of NGOHQ.com with a porting effort to allow PhysX to run on ATI cards. How successful they will be without AMD's blessing is unknown.
Here are some links.
Nvidia helping to bring PhysX to ATi Cards
PhysX on ATI effort gets helping hand from NVIDIA
What comes of this effort remains to be seen. But Nvidia would very much like to see PhysX run on it's competitors hardware.
----------------------
Q: If I run an SLI setup, can I run a dedicated PhysX GPU on the middle slot, as originally intended for my 680i? Say Dual 8800GTS 512's with an 9600GSO as the PhysX GPU.
A: Yes you can. You can choose to run 8800GTS512's in the first and third slots in SLI mode, and choose to run a 9600GSO in the center slot if one has a 3 PCI-e slot SLI mobo.
-----------------------
Q: So here's a question, will a regular ageia Physx card work in a crossfire mobo with an ATI card?
A: Yes it would. A regular PhysX PPU card will work in basically any motherboard with an extra PCI-e graphics slot.
-----------------------
Q: Would a PhysX PPU perform better than just having a GPU run PhysX?
A: Not really. Benchmark testing has demonstrated GPU's to be more powerful than the PhysX PPU. Here is a link to Firing Squads GPU vs. PPU vs. CPU review.
I'm collecting the most frequently asked questions about PhysX in the vid forum and placing them here. If you have a question about PhysX and it's not in the FAQ, please ask.
Q: Can we get a list of upcoming games that are announcing physx support?
A: Current and upcoming games list
Mirrors Edge
Unreal Tournament 3
GRAW2
Warmonger
Natural Motion's "Backbreaker" (Football)
Nurien (social networking service)
GRIN's Bionic Commando
Metal Knight Zero
Divinity 2: Ego Draconis ("Emergent" just announced incorporating PhysX into it's Gamebryo game engine.)
APB (Realtime Worlds? upcoming massively multiplayer online game)
Cellfactor Video of Cellfactor running PhysX on an 8800GT
Aliens: Colonel Marines Official Site
FutureMark?s Shattered Horizon Shattered Horizon Trailer
1C's "Cryostasis" Trailer
Will list more as they emerge.
---------------------
F.A.Q.
Q: Where do I download the PhysX driver and PhysX content?
A: All of the latest Forceware drivers include PhysX support. And PhysX content is Right here.
------------------
Q: My rig has an 8800GTX as its main video card, however I also have an 8600GT in it as well driving extra monitors. Does anyone know if it is (or will be) possible to tell PhysX enabled games to utilize the 8600GT as a dedicated Physics engine?
A: Yes, that's exactly what you can do. See below for the Vista setup.
-------------------
Q: I was looking at an 8400GS thats passive cooled. How would this compare to a 9600 series card? I want to keep my 8800GT for my main graphics card and get a cheap second card for Phsx.
A: When rendering, a 9600GT would annihilate a 8400GS obviously. But for dedicated PhysX use, the 8400GS would probably be fine. I have heard reports (and will be testing this myself) of people using onboard integrated 8 series GPU's for their dedicated PhysX calculations. It seems that PhysX does not take that much of a toll on shaders.
NOTE: Attempted to run PhysX processing on the 780a chipset onboard GPU. PhysX did not recognize the onboard GPU. This was with a driver from August '08. I haven't tried it with newer drivers yet.
Qbah, one of the members here reminded me of it. I may try this again with up to date drivers.
--------
Q: I am a bit confused, Do u not need an SLi m/b to hook up two Nvidia's even if its for Physx??
A: An SLI capable motherboard is not needed to run two Nvidia GPU's (one for rendering, one for PhysX). Only a motherboard with 2 PCI-e slots.
You can even run this setup on a Crossfire motherboard if you wanted. Additionally, no SLI bridge is required with this setup.
--------
Q: Will I have a problem setting up a dedicated PhysX GPU on a Windows Vista system?
A:NOTE: This is no longer necessary with the latest Foreware drivers (180.xx and up).. Windows Vista has a WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model) limitation/restriction of a single display driver instance. There is a workaround for this limitation.
One workaround, is to extend the Windows Desktop across a second monitor by connecting a second monitor to the secondary (dedicated PhysX) GPU, and extend the desktop to the second monitor.
Many monitors today, have multiple inputs (LCD's usually have 1 DVI and 1 D-Sub connectors). If this is your case, you can connect the second monitor connection to the second GPU and extend
the desktop that way.
1. Install both GPU's into your motherboard with the GPU you intend to use for rendering in the Primary (top) PCI-e slot, and the GPU you intend to run PhysX in the second PCI-e slot.
2. Install the 177.83 driver (This driver includes the latest PhysX drivers and is considerably larger than a standard forceware driver. About 109MB so it will take longer than usual to install.).
3. Reboot and set your proper desktop resolution.
4. If you have a monitor with two connections (DVI & D-Sub), connect the second connection to the first output (closest to motherboard) of the second (PhysX) GPU.
5. If you have a second monitor, connect it to the first output (closest to motherboard) of the second (PhysX) GPU.
6. Right click on your desktop and choose "Personalize". Then click on "Display Settings" down on the bottom.
7. On the "Monitor" Tab, click on the second largest monitor available in the window, then check the box next to "Extend the desktop onto this monitor". You can leave this monitors resolution set to 1024x768 if desired. Will have no effect on anything.
8. Choose "Apply" and if prompted, choose to keep settings and close the application.
9. Click Start --> All Programs --> Nvidia Corporation --> Nvidia PhysX Properties, and the PhysX properties window will appear.
10. Choose the "Settings Tab" and click the "Select GPU for GeForce PhysX" button. From there, choose whichever card you have in the second PCI-e slot that you are using for Physx only. Click "Apply" and "OK".
11. You're done. PhysX will now run on the second GPU only leaving the Primary GPU to render.
-------------------
Q: Is PhysX compatible with SLI?
A: Yes, PhysX is compatible with Nvidia 8 series and later SLI setups.
-------------------
Q: Is PhysX subject to the same scaling issues as regular SLI? Is it better or worse scaling?
A: There probably will be games that do not scale with SLI, but do indeed support PhysX. Nvidia offers pretty good profile support for most games, but, In a case like that, I would think that PhysX would be best run on the second GPU in non SLI mode for the best possible performance. As for the percentage of performance improvement over a single card with PhysX, I think the performance would be linear, or in line with regular SLI non PhysX setups.
-------------------
Q: Does SLI PhysX induce any more "SLI problems" than regular SLI, such as microstuttering?
A: Unknown to me at this point, but worth testing it out. I'll get back to you on this one.
-------------------
Q: How many games are compatible with GPU PhysX? Which ones are they?
A: UT3 (3 PhysX levels with the mod pack), GRAW2 (Ageia Island level), Warmonger (100% PhysX). Mirrors Edge (100% PhysX) due out in Jan 09.
-------------------
Q: Does using a dedicated PhysX GPU undo any of the FPS loss that "regular" GPU PhysX induces? How do the two GPU PhysX methods compare?
A: Yes, using a dedicated PhysX GPU definitely lightens the load on the primary GPU. Frees it up to do only rendering. For a comparison, I ran UT3 and GRAW2
using a single 9800GTX+ at a resolution of 1920x1200. Then ran the same bench and settings using a 9800GTX+ for the primary rendering card, and a 8800GTS512 to run PhysX alone.
UT3 HeatRayPhysX level 1920x1200
Single 9800GTX+ rendering and running PhysX
Min: 25 Avg: 34 Max: 53
9800GTX+ rendering & 8800GTS512 running PhysX
Min: 32 Avg: 44 Max: 72
So about a 30% performance improvement in minimum framerate over using a single 9800GTX+ doing everything by itself in UT3.
GRAW2: 1920x1200 edge smoothing AA and 8XAF "Ageia Island"
Single 9800GTX+ rendering and running PhysX
Min: 25 Avg: 53 Max: 82
9800GTX+ rendering & 8800GTS512 running PhysX
Min: 34 Avg: 60 Max: 89
About a 36% performance improvement in minimum framerate over a using a single 9800GTX+ doing everything by itself in GRAW2.
---------------------
Q: Will ATI cards be able to run PhysX?
A: NOTE: This effort has been abandoned due to AMD's non participation. Nvidia is currently helping Eran Badit of NGOHQ.com with a porting effort to allow PhysX to run on ATI cards. How successful they will be without AMD's blessing is unknown.
Here are some links.
Nvidia helping to bring PhysX to ATi Cards
PhysX on ATI effort gets helping hand from NVIDIA
What comes of this effort remains to be seen. But Nvidia would very much like to see PhysX run on it's competitors hardware.
----------------------
Q: If I run an SLI setup, can I run a dedicated PhysX GPU on the middle slot, as originally intended for my 680i? Say Dual 8800GTS 512's with an 9600GSO as the PhysX GPU.
A: Yes you can. You can choose to run 8800GTS512's in the first and third slots in SLI mode, and choose to run a 9600GSO in the center slot if one has a 3 PCI-e slot SLI mobo.
-----------------------
Q: So here's a question, will a regular ageia Physx card work in a crossfire mobo with an ATI card?
A: Yes it would. A regular PhysX PPU card will work in basically any motherboard with an extra PCI-e graphics slot.
-----------------------
Q: Would a PhysX PPU perform better than just having a GPU run PhysX?
A: Not really. Benchmark testing has demonstrated GPU's to be more powerful than the PhysX PPU. Here is a link to Firing Squads GPU vs. PPU vs. CPU review.
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