Best graphics card to run as a PPU PhysX Card?

[jmack5864]

Hey Guys, I have just started on first self assembled PC. I have everything I need to get started. My current components are:

Cooler Master HAF X Case
ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel i7 920 CPU 2.66 GHz (Planning on Overclocking to about 3.6 GHz)
Prolimatech Megahalem Rev. B CPU Cooler
Intel 80 GB SSD for OS and primary applications
1 TB Western Digital Caviar Black for storage
2 x BFG nVidia GTX 285 1 GB graphics cards (will be running in SLI)
1000W PSU
6 GB of Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600 RAM

My question is I have an empty PCIeX16 slot in my build left to fill and was thinking of installing a card for PhysX. I have an BFG 8800 GT 512 MB card from my old Dell PC....... would that work well as a PhysX card or would I need something more powerful to run PhysX with the 2 GTX 285's in SLI?

Any help you guys (and girls) could provide would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I know that both ATI and nVidia have better cards out on the market right now but this being my first build I decided to keep a low budget. I got the GTX 285's from a friend who had them but upgraded to the Fermi GTX 470 card. Most of my components were either bought on sale or given to me...... I literally spent less than $600 for these components. The only thing I really splurged on was the Intel SSD and the Cooler Master HAF X.

Thanks guys.

 

[redechelon]

The 8800GT makes for a great PhysX card, I don't know what games you play and how much of an increase you'll see in those games, but if they make use of a PPU, it'd be nice.

 

[megamanx00]

The 8800GT should be just fine as a physX card for that build. While I think a cheap GTX260 might be ideal for that task, I don't see a reason to go buy one if you already have an 8800GT laying around 😀. By the time the 8800GT can't hack it for physX you'll probably be replacing your 285s and just end up using one of those as a physX card. Of course, that's assuming physX sticks around, but hey it's good to be prepared 😀

 

[jmack5864]

Thanks guys! You really helped me make up my mind about using the 8800GT as a PhysX card. I was hoping it would be adequate for running PhysX for the 285's. If I don't see any significant results using the 8800 GT I may upgrade later to a GTX 260 like megamanx00 suggested.

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[jmack5864]

Best answer selected by jmack5864.