Conclusion

PhysX technology will continue to be the focus of many a debate until one of two things happen: A) Ageia folds and the PhysX PPU fades from view and remains a novel idea that once was, or B) A popular game supports the card causing a large influx of PhysX purchases and therefore securing the future of the dedicated PPU. Games like Unreal Tournament 3 just might do this as the huge popularity of the Unreal franchies could mean that a lot of its players decide they want more interaction in their games than software physics can provide.

However, even if PhysX technology does get incorporated in more games, the true mainstream uptake of a seperate PhysX card depends on how game developers build the effects into their products. There needs to be more options for the end user, allowing those with a PhysX card to crank those effects up to the max, but to also permit those with varying speeds of processors (and no PPU) to change the level of physics just as those with different graphics cards can vary the levels of visual detail and eye candy in games.

But what about now? Are the PhysX effects worth £100 of your hard earned cash? It really comes down to what games you play and what you look for in them. If none of the games you play can support PhysX technology, then there is no reason for you to have this noisy little card in your rig. However, if you find yourself whileing away the hours playing Cell Factor, Auto Assault or any of the games listed at the beginning of this review and you find you want more flying boxes, more acid spit and more particles in general, then the PhysX card is starting to become worthwhile.

I'd like to thank our sponsors Ageia for providing us with the cards and games.

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