AGEIA PhysX Physics Processing Unit Preview

[Steve]

PPUs have got me really excited. Games aren't all about graphics; there's more to realism than just the way something looks. Physics processing units will allow advances in the way a game world reacts. Of course, on top of that, if a PPU is doing all the physics work, then the CPU can be left to help the graphics card produce some spangly graphical scenes.

PC Perspective have a look at AGEIA's PhysX PPU, how it works, and some of the technical demonstrations that have been produced.

This NovodeX software API allows game developers to use currently available hardware (your CPU) to do similar levels of physics calculations and functions as the competing physics engines. This particular API implementation process is more important to developers and gamers though, because having support for NovodeX in a game means that support for the PhysX processor, when it is released, is either automatic or easier to enable.

[The article]

[Kumagoro]

It would have been nice to see the demos running (video) and have the same demos running without using a PPU too see how much of a difference it makes.

[Steve]

You're right, but I'm not sure whether those demos would run without a PPU anyway.

My point is, if current games use Ageia's API, then they can be accelerated by a PPU. However, I suspect certain physics features may be PPU dependant, rather than just PPU accelerated.

[Kumagoro]

Trying to recreate the demo would be a good show case, although im sure many people wouldnt believe they were doing it properly and accuse them of not utilising
the GPUs properly.

Maybe when they come out the CPU will be put to use for decent AI but maybe in the furture there will be a AI-PU too.

--

I have a slightly related question does MS charge ATI, Nvida etc for implementing
direct x? as I wonder if MS will add physics into it.

[sacha]

I think the key to the widespread adoption of PPUs will be bundling them with, or integrating them on, gaming graphics cards.

Another possibility is some kind of killer application, rather like the way Quake kickstarted the 3d accelerator market, but I think the days of gaming revolutions like that are over.

[Stoo]

I think this is where Sony are going to score with the PS3, they've effectively got a PPU built into their Cell processor.

I think once people get their heads around the benefits of a PPU then the rest of the industry will follow, or risk being left behind.

[Lee H]

Videos of the PPU in action can be found at the following url ;

http://personal.inet.fi/atk/kjh2348fs/ageia_physx.html

[Kumagoro]

The videos are a bit bum really the shooting creates looks strange they move so slowly. The plane crash at the end of the plane video is good although the ones before are also bum.

Saying that the first large video is good and lots of info in it. On the car part he said that it runs at 2 fps on a normal PC without a PPU well i think thats what he said.