PCI Physics Card

jouninkomiko · Post by **jouninkomiko** » 24 Apr 2006, 03:24

http://physx.ageia.com/

Spring utilizing this? Drool :)

Dragon45 · Post by **Dragon45** » 24 Apr 2006, 04:17

ZOMGZ.

Goign to be some time before gain large penetration tho.

Das Bruce · Post by **Das Bruce** » 24 Apr 2006, 04:17

Tad expensive.

Zenka · Post by **Zenka** » 24 Apr 2006, 07:49

Big, expencive, unsupported = useless.
What do you think we've got got CPU for?
If you want a processor unit to take over a few tasks from the CPU, why nog go for a dual core instead?

IceXuick · Post by **IceXuick** » 24 Apr 2006, 08:32

The PPU isn't totally useless. As it still is quite expensive, this will probably drop when the support rises. And There are quite some future planned games, that support these PPU cards...

I think that physics, which are more and more and better supported in 3D-games, will become a great straign on the CPU, which should be calculating AI (pathfinding, sub-commanders, networking, stats, etc.). If the PPU can take these jobs, the cpu has other nice things to do :)

But however, i first need to see the facts, and want to see what the speed gain will be in future games (or even totally new physics)

SwiftSpear · Post by **SwiftSpear** » 24 Apr 2006, 10:34

The capabilities of a PPU are WAY WAY above the capabilities of a dual core processor. It won't be too long before you see the PPU penetrate into the regular market, but I wouldn't expect large scale developer support for at least another 2-3 years. Physics processing absolutly rapes processing power in the current games market. If full scale physics were ever to be come plausable in the gaming market this thing will be needed.

FireCrack · Post by **FireCrack** » 24 Apr 2006, 10:55

^exactly, a second CPU core isnt even going to see a fraction of the phyics processing power as the card would.

Maelstrom · Post by **Maelstrom** » 24 Apr 2006, 13:40

http://physx.ageia.com/cellfactor.swf

*drool*

downloading the hi-def version now.

While the game looks a little wierd, just look at the physics. Its like the HL2 grav gun, but uberized. Plus theres the grav grenade things, the flying thing, the awsome ragdolls, the breaking boxes, need I go on?

Torrasque · Post by **Torrasque** » 24 Apr 2006, 15:03

Zenka wrote:Big, expencive, unsupported = useless.
What do you think we've got got CPU for?
If you want a processor unit to take over a few tasks from the CPU, why nog go for a dual core instead?

Yeah, I've buy a dual core, and now, my GPU is useless

(Second core powa!)
(Just think about software rendering, and look what a specialized processor can do!)

To keep on subject : the API being not open source, can we use it for Spring?

jouninkomiko · Post by **jouninkomiko** » 24 Apr 2006, 15:29

In the same manner DirectX and Win32 are not open source, their API's can be used without paying a fee

Zenka · Post by **Zenka** » 24 Apr 2006, 16:02

jouninkomiko wrote:In the same manner DirectX and Win32 are not open source, their API's can be used without paying a fee

Start donating people!

.me hands jounikomiko a cookie. (wait, this isn't working)

Post by **jcnossen** » 24 Apr 2006, 16:51

In the same manner DirectX and Win32 are not open source, their API's can be used without paying a fee

I think that's because they are considered "part of the OS" in the GPL. PhysX however is not neccessarily a driver, it can also emulate and not be part of the OS.

Did I mention GPL sucks?

Masse · Post by **Masse** » 24 Apr 2006, 17:15

ME WANT AGEIA PHYSX TO SPRING
a loooong time ago before those card versions were even annoyced i was abaut to make thread abaut em but it was too early...

when i get that damn card im gonna poke u to death unless u give support for ageia physx

jouninkomiko · Post by **jouninkomiko** » 24 Apr 2006, 20:02

I'm sending them an email to inquire

Leaderz0rz · Post by **Leaderz0rz** » 24 Apr 2006, 22:58

the ultimate problem with this product is a. the cost and b. getting people like EA,Valve,ID,Epic etc to auctaly use it. No one is going to pay for it if there is only two games that use it

TA 3D · Post by **TA 3D** » 24 Apr 2006, 23:18

The next Ureal enigne being developed right now will use that proscessor.

genblood · Post by **genblood** » 24 Apr 2006, 23:21

Leaderz0rz

the ultimate problem with this product is a. the cost and b. getting people like EA,Valve,ID,Epic etc to auctaly use it. No one is going to pay for it if there is only two games that use it

If iD or Value came out with a game that used the PPU chip. The
PPU cards would get purchased ... dual core CPUs are
starting to before more popular in systems now. Also, AMD
is coming out with a new dual core CPU in Q4 2006 that will
let the dual core trick apps to think its a single core.. due to
alot of older apps don't like dual cores. Plus the new package
design and all the other fun stuff too.

jouninkomiko · Post by **jouninkomiko** » 25 Apr 2006, 01:32

"You are free to use the latest Public SDK for a non-commercial title. The SDK can be found in the Downloads area of our Support Site. I have just enabled your registration, so you should have received an email confirming this already. Our main request is that you do your part to help support other users of the Public SDK by being an active contributer to the Forum (once you get up to speed). Also, please give AGEIA some sort of credit--not only with the AGEIA Mark, but also by making great use of the SDK in your game! Have fun!"

-- I registered an account, and got approved. I can download the SDK and use it freely. The SDK runs in software "rendering" if no ppu is present, which is pretty cool for our purposes. I'm gonna get in contact with them and see if maybe they'd be interested in donating one for development purposes.

Torrasque · Post by **Torrasque** » 25 Apr 2006, 09:24

The SDK runs in software "rendering" if no ppu is present

I think' it's really the advantage of the ppu ...
Develeoper don't have to learn deeply physic to make great effect,
at the beginging, it will come slowly and people will still buy dual core because it will be sufficient, but after some year, physics will become so ressource intensive that you will need a PPU.

Juninkomiko :
But in Spring, I don't really see where it can help... we don't have complex objects... and adding just some with physiscs there and there look strange.
(And I'm sure you don't want to remake all the physics of the game

)

Dr.InfernO · Post by **Dr.InfernO** » 25 Apr 2006, 09:36

I think it's too early for now but it will bring nice effects & more eye candy.
Whatever, it's not necessary for fun & gameplay.

Spring RTS Engine

PCI Physics Card

PCI Physics Card