Graphics for Physx

[Ch3m1c4L]

I'm thinking of picking up a card to use for physx, since i have a spare slot and may as well. What sort of card would I need? Would an 8800gt suffice or should I be looking at more like a 9800 or a 260 to get the best performance? Obviously cba with buying a 3rd 280 just for physics since that would be better used for graphics.

Or does no-one really know until the 180's are released and every benches them?

 

[Ch3m1c4L]

I know its not supported yet, but the 180 drivers gives the ability to put physx on a dedicated card, which should be completly seperate from SLI and as such, should be supported.
Its more for the fact that I dont want to lose any FPS in high spec games to the fact that I have physx running, or to have to make the choice of not running it. Currently decideding between a XFX OCed 9800gt for £113 or a own brand 9800GTX+ for 117 (cooler looks bad and its got a dual slot backing plate, which means ill need to swap tht for one on a different card so itll fit).

 

[Ch3m1c4L]

thats what i was thinking about, yes sli 280s are good, but running crysis at 2560 when they are doing physics as well.....

 

[Ch3m1c4L]

ok, I meant something like crysis, where its already straining the GPU's through either bad coding or too high effects. If a game is already running at like 35-40 i dont want to lose too many fps's to physics.
Regardless of why, still need to know if SLI + seperate card for physx is supported.
All I can find out is either, both on one card, one card for each, or sli with both cards doing both things.

 

[Ch3m1c4L]

Thats SLi2 which is coming, but don't know when.

EDIT: Its only for 3x cards though, 2x in SLi + 1x doing the PhysX, so your going to need a 3x slot board.

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9660&Itemid=1

I'm only considering this as an option because I have a third slot sitting empty on my board, and I have too much money and im trying to find SOMETHING to spend it on that is more worthwhile than beer. I already have savings and stuff so meh....Think I will just get the 28" HannsG monitor when the forceware 180's come out instead then

Thanks everyone.

 

[Ch3m1c4L]

oh yea, just got this back from nvidia. I sent this:
"I am currently running SLI GTX280's and am wondering if it would be possible to add a third GPU (9800GT ot GTX+)and use it as a dedicated PhysX processor. I know the three modes that are currently supported but can't find any information on this anywhere. If its not available now, is it likely to be enabled in the Forceware 180 "Big Bang II" driver update?"

"Hello Tom,

The configuration you seek is not supported by NVIDIA. Unfortunately, there is no information as to if or when this would be supported in the future. Thanks for your interest in NVIDIA technology.

Best Regards,
Troy
NVIDIA Customer Care"