Physics Processor Cards - useful or not?

OlMurraniKasale

OlMurraniKasale

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Seattle

Zaishen Order

Rt/

I was thinking about a physics processor card, but I'm getting the impression that the software developers must make their code compatible with it.

Will adding a physics processor card help GW graphics or is it not compat?

Thanks!

Zodiak

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Gatineau, Qc, Canada

Kiss of Anguish [KISS]

P/W

Not worth it. Good concept, just doesnt pan out.

If you figure the cost of your current video card plus the cost of a physics card, 150$, you could just end up buying yourself a more powerful video card.

Even people like John Carmack declined at the idea because video cards alone are powerful enough. Valve also declined at the idea of introducing support for Physics Cards in their newer Half Life episode series.

The same concept applies with NPUs Network cards with dedicated processors like the expensive Killer NIC cards that theoretically lower your ping and make your gameplay better then everyone else and therefore, hardware cheating of sorts. This concept also doesnt provide concrete results.

immortius

immortius

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Black Cats

E/Mo

Not useful, by the time any good games make use of additional physics hardware, video cards will be able to double as physics cards.

tijo

tijo

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2007

Montreal

[CDDR]

R/

At the moment they are completely useless. I don't think that they will become very useful later for the reasons stated previously. You should only buy if and when they become supported by most games.

Tutis Evito

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

England,UK

Incredible Edible Bookah [YUM]

R/

Great Potential...just not supported enough

OlMurraniKasale

OlMurraniKasale

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Seattle

Zaishen Order

Rt/

Ok, thanks a ton. I was trying to get more bang for the buck on my old OLD beater machine. I really can't upgrade to a better vid card since most of them are now a different kind of slot that my motherboard won't take.

So, off to ebay to find a new rig, maybe Alienware . . . ?

Zodiak

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Gatineau, Qc, Canada

Kiss of Anguish [KISS]

P/W

You really should purchase your own hardware and assemble it. its the most cost effective.

If you dont have enough experience assembling hardware, head over to youtube or google video. There are tons of explanatory videos that will show you instructions on assembling a computer yourself.