GPU Dedicated PhysX and CUDA

[coolitic]

Ok I plan on using a 680 for general gfx and CUDA. and another, much cheaper card for PhsX and possibly CUDA. Does this hav anything to do with SLI? Also, what are some recommendations for a card dedicated for PhysX?

EDIT:
Can someone please give an accurate comparison of Havok and PhysX?

 

[Novuake]

Nobody threw anything in your face, stop whining. The OP assumed the game required a higher level of performance than it actually does. It happens. All you had to do was calmly explain that to him, and now you're derailing the thread again.

I should probably stop now... LOL

 

[Mousemonkey]

I should probably stop now... LOL

And wait for the OP to respond perhaps?

 

[Novuake]

And wait for the OP to respond perhaps?

Yes.

 

[mightymaxio]

Honestly I would opt for a physx card just for the heck of it, why not right?
My system:

 

[Novuake]

Honestly I would opt for a physx card just for the heck of it, why not right?
My system:
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/621264_4539293957064_1951923279_o.jpg

You obviously had an extra 560ti laying around?

 

[TheMadFapper]

Honestly I would opt for a physx card just for the heck of it, why not right?
My system:
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/621264_4539293957064_1951923279_o.jpg

Overkill. Let's go back to the original question. PhysX.

This post sums a lot:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135891

 

[17seconds]

People do tend to assume that one GTX 680 is enough, which is true. But they also tend to ignore the fact that pairing a 680 with the right dedicated PhysX card can improve your framerates by roughly 25%.

The key for a good dedicated PhysX card is the number of CUDA cores. With the latest generation of 600 series cards, the CUDA cores have increased dramatically. A lower level GT 640/650 packs 384 CUDA cores, is inexpensive, uses very little power, and produces relatively little heat. I would start with the GT 650 as a minimum target and then consider a 650 Ti if you can afford one, or a GT 640 if the 650 is too expensive.


Oh, and I know this is hard for some to believe, but according to TechPowerUp in their latest review, using the latest drivers, the GTX 680 and 7970 GHz perform exactly the same in their suite of 19 benchmarks:

 

[TheMadFapper]

Erm...I mean I was defending the 680 but I AM very skeptical about that chart, because the 7970 Ghz Ed should indeed be a little bit faster than it. Was that chart for a specific game? Could you link us to the original article please and thanks.

Edit: Nevermind sorry, I'm capable of Googling geez I'm getting lazy.

 

[Novuake]

People do tend to assume that one GTX 680 is enough, which is true. But they also tend to ignore the fact that pairing a 680 with the right dedicated PhysX card can improve your framerates by roughly 25%.

The key for a good dedicated PhysX card is the number of CUDA cores. With the latest generation of 600 series cards, the CUDA cores have increased dramatically. A lower level GT 640/650 packs 384 CUDA cores, is inexpensive, uses very little power, and produces relatively little heat. I would start with the GT 650 as a minimum target and then consider a 650 Ti if you can afford one, or a GT 640 if the 650 is too expensive.


Oh, and I know this is hard for some to believe, but according to TechPowerUp in their latest review, using the latest drivers, the GTX 680 and 7970 GHz perform exactly the same in their suite of 19 benchmarks:

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/ASUS/ARES_II/images/perfrel_1920.gif

Although I don't mind believing that. I would like to see the source please.

But even IF they are equal. The HD7970 GE still is cheaper and has more VRAM so it will scale better as the resolution increases compared to the GTX680.

 

[coolitic]

I post one little thing, and it turns into a flame war...

Here is what I think with GeForce and Radeon.

Radeon:

More raw power (not by too much though)

Cheap

GeForce:

Optimized

Better Technology

Energy Efficient

Quiet

A bit smaller

 

[coolitic]

Although I don't mind believing that. I would like to see the source please.

But even IF they are equal. The HD7970 GE still is cheaper and has more VRAM so it will scale better as the resolution increases compared to the GTX680.

680 can get 4 GB VRAM

 

[niz]

You sure about that?



Hahhahahahaha :lol:

You don't need to be an AMD fanboy to argue with that statement. He is clearly a Nvidia fanboy.

I am neither. But the GTX680 is not faster than an HD7970 GE.

ANYWAY... Before we start a flame war AGAIN.

He said Single GPU. 7970 uses 2 GPUs.
The equivalent nVidia card would be a GTX690 which stomps all over a HD7970:
http://www.hwcompare.com/12666/geforce-gtx-690-vs-radeon-hd-7970/

 

[Novuake]

He said Single GPU. 7970 uses 2 GPUs.
The equivalent nVidia card would be a GTX690 which stomps all over a HD7970:
http://www.hwcompare.com/12666/geforce-gtx-690-vs-radeon-hd-7970/

Oh my...

 

[Novuake]

680 can get 4 GB VRAM

And the HD7970 can get 6GB? Whats your point? LOL

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1157&lid=1&pid=1497

 

[mightymaxio]

@Niz actually the 7970 is a single GPU card, the dual GPU is the 7990 or 7970x2.

@OP - In all regards it is up to you to decide if you want phsyx. Coming from the beta of Planetside 2 with phsyx I can 100% tell you that having a dedicated is about 70% faster than using a single card for everything at least in this super demanding game.

Edit: Heres a link to the 7990 dual GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131479 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131483&Tpk=7990 are examples

 

[Mousemonkey]

He said Single GPU. 7970 uses 2 GPUs.
The equivalent nVidia card would be a GTX690 which stomps all over a HD7970:
http://www.hwcompare.com/12666/geforce-gtx-690-vs-radeon-hd-7970/

Isn't it the 7990 that uses two GPU's, the 7970 is a single GPU card.

 

[TheMadFapper]

Isn't it the 7990 that uses two GPU's, the 7970 is a single GPU card.

Correct. And that ASUS Ares II "7990" looks so cool, but it would rip my PSU a new one whereas a 690 would play nicely. That power draw is ridiculous.

Edit: Please read the comment on the Ares II from Newegg, I had a chuckle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121717&Tpk=ares%20II

 

[azathoth]

Ever heard of a game called Planetside 2? I plan to max it out with maybe some AA, which is one of the reasons why I want dedicated PhysX.

Planetside 2 does not use heavy Physx calculations, just a few small vog volumes for visual effects at most. With hardware Physx a 680 will probably not even take a 6% fps hit, the Physx is just simply NOT demanding in this game. Even my GTX 480 wasn't bothered by using the Physx in Planetside 2.

 

[17seconds]

For the uninitiated, you should familiarize yourself with TechPowerUp. Their reviews feature 19 benchmarks, always use the latest drivers available at the time and have those handy charts that show cumulative performance, in addition to things like Performance per Dollar, Performance per Watt, etc.
Cheers!
http://www.techpowerup.com/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/ARES_II/27.html

 

[Novuake]

@Niz actually the 7970 is a single GPU card, the dual GPU is the 7990 or 7970x2.

@OP - In all regards it is up to you to decide if you want phsyx. Coming from the beta of Planetside 2 with phsyx I can 100% tell you that having a dedicated is about 70% faster than using a single card for everything at least in this super demanding game.

Edit: Heres a link to the 7990 dual GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131479 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131483&Tpk=7990 are examples

70%? I find that VERY doubtful with a GTX680 as a main card. Even with mid range cards, and then you may as well go SLI.

 

[Novuake]

For the uninitiated, you should familiarize yourself with TechPowerUp. Their reviews feature 19 benchmarks, always use the latest drivers available at the time and have those handy charts that show cumulative performance, in addition to things like Performance per Dollar, Performance per Watt, etc.
Cheers!
http://www.techpowerup.com/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/ARES_II/27.html

I have an interesting question to put to you. That WHOLE list of GPU benches you posted. Do you think TechPowerUp would retest each and EVERY single card with the latest drivers or would they just test the card they are currently testing with the latest drivers?

 

[mightymaxio]

@Azathoth the reason it only uses 6% of your card right now is because they disabled and removed the ability to enable physx for the time being. It was too laggy and glitchy without a dedicated card that they canned it right after beta.

You would know this if you played planetside 2 and saw the "grayed" out option. In beta you could enable this option.

 

[17seconds]

I have an interesting question to put to you. That WHOLE list of GPU benches you posted. Do you think TechPowerUp would retest each and EVER single card with the latest drivers or would they just test the card they are currently testing with the latest drivers?

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/ARES_II/5.html

Quote:
Benchmark scores in other reviews are only comparable when this exact same configuration is used.

All video card results were obtained on this exact system with exactly the same configuration.

 

[ikaz]

Well to throw my hat into the ring, sound like the best thing for the op to do is buy a 670 (oc if he wants) and use the money he saved to buy a 6 series card for phyx seems like a good compromise.

 

[nokiddingboss]

why would you even want to enable physX anyways? do you really need to see some additional glowing dust/spark particles in the game? are you really willing to spend extra cash just to enable it - just to see some extra party tricks? your 680 is fine by itself, just forget about the PhysX B.S. since you wouldn't be needing it when you're too busy popping heads.