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Question about PhysX

Ishio

n00b
Joined
May 5, 2013
Messages
5
So I am running a 7870 MYST, and was enjoying Mirror's Edge last night. I also reacently upgraded my monitor from a 1680x1050 20.1" monitor to a 24" 1080p 144/120Hz lightboost monitor. While playing, I had to disable PhysX due to the MYST not being able to keep up, which is a bit of a bummer as it seems to have added to the depth of the game.

Now I was looking at this thread, and it seems possible to do, however I come here to ask, would getting a cheap single slot nVidia card be worth it for PhysX? I have a GTX260 lying about that can handle it, however, I fear for the cooling of the MYST *due to having a medium tower* and needing to get some molex to 6pin adapters, a case exhaust fan on the side panel. So my thought process was that a 8800gt or 9800gt would suffice, or I think I read somewhere a GT640 would do and future proof for a bit.

So I come here looking for guidance on the right course of action.
 
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www.com isnt a valid address.

Early PhysX games may be ok with an 8800GT or GTX260 but newer games need faster.
Get a second hand GTX650 or faster.
 
www.com isnt a valid address.

Early PhysX games may be ok with an 8800GT or GTX260 but newer games need faster.
Get a second hand GTX650 or faster.

Thank you for pointing that out. Fixed the link.

If I were to look at a GTX650, I would probably do this one as it's dimensions would put it out of the way of the 7870's fan. Is this a smart option?
 
I think N G O H Q might be one of the sites hardforum filter out, there are some websites they automatically delete links to.

I don't think the second PhysX card will get too hot, PhysX doesn't really use much load, you just want to make sure it doesn't obstruct the air to your primary GPU.

By the way, not that it makes much difference to your original request, but the PhysX issue is not the HD7870 being unable to keep up, it's the CPU. When using an AMD GPU, PhysX runs on your CPU and has nowt to do with the graphics. Since there's code in there that artifically cripples this, no amount of CPU upgrade will make it perform properly, nvidia hardware is the only way to achieve it, so a separate card is the right move if you want PhysX on an AMD platform. Just be prepared to potentially have a bit of a rough time getting both drivers installed at the same time.
 
I used to do it then Nvidia sent out some shitty drivers that disabled my AMD card purposely. I ended up having to reinstall my OS. They issued some hokey statement that they didn't want to assume responsibility for PhysX on an AMD card is why they did it. Because of that I decided to never purchase their products again. I used to love their products because they absorbed 3DFX and I had a 3dfx Voodoo 5 5500 AGP card. I would go on to own a 4200, 9800, 9800GTX, 460 SLI, etc. Never again!

So if you get it working never update your Nvidia drivers unless the author of the program says it is safe to. Just relaying my experience. :)
 
Yeah I'm running and Intel i5 3570k stock and read that ATI cards don't process PhysXn it is a nVidia product really. they bought out PUP maker years ago. That's why I asked about the type of single slot GPU to slave. Another reason I was looking at the GTX650 as it wouldn't obstruct the 7870's fan at all. While a dual slot gpu like that would
 
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If it's the lower card of the two, surely the amount of obstruction it provides is the same, as it's the PCB-side that will be closest?
 
Dimensionally the GTX650 is half the size as the 7870. The link that that card is above. Otherwise as pointed out to me, a 9800gt would help but it won't last long. That's what I've learned so far.
 
If ur gonna spend the money on the 650 y not sell the 7870 and grab a 760 or a used 770 and not deal with the bs of trying to get nvidia and amd drivers to work together. Likely will be a big headache and not work out anyways. I'm pretty sure they put a stop to it with newer drivers.
 
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