14 DAY TRIAL // Nvidia has finally released a new series of drivers meant to bring the entire benefits of PhysX technology to its GeForce 8, 9 and GTX 200 graphics cards series. The enabled physics support is supposed to allow gamers to experience real-like graphics on their gaming environment, while developers can design customized physics effects that will have an immense impact on the gameplay. Nvidia released today a GeForce Power Pack, a compilation of demos, mod packs and games, which intends to get the gameplay to new levels.
According to Nvidia, any CUDA-enabled general-purpose parallel computing processor, including any Nvidia GeForce 8 Series or higher GPU, has its power leveraged with the new PhysX technology. The cards are now able to handle 10 to 20 times more visual complexity than before. Nvidia's GeForce 8 Series and higher GPUs that are in the field form the largest installed base of general-purpose, parallel-computing processors, with an estimated number of more than 80 million cards that are CUDA-enabled.
"The use of physics in games is highly effective in enabling new levels of interactivity and gameplay options. Gearbox is excited about these developments and we are rapidly finding new ways to use Nvidia PhysX to improve the game's immersive feel and overall excitement factor," said Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software. "The addition of GPU acceleration allows us to add even more effects whilst maintaining great performance. Gearbox titles, including Borderlands and others, will feature increased use of PhysX and we look forward to developing more with the support of Nvidia."
As Nvidia claims, only the PhysX technology is meant to leverage the best of both CPU and GPU architectures, allowing them to deliver the ultimate end-user experience. Other competitive solutions do not have the necessary power to allow a similar level of performance to be reached. Cryostasis, Backbreaker, and Aliens: Colonial Marines are only a few of the upcoming PC titles that incorporate PhysX technology, and almost 20 more titles are expected to be launched by the end of the year.
"Game physics is essential in enabling deeper interactivity and real-world effects in any game. Epic is pleased to offer PhysX as a standard feature within Unreal Engine 3 to enable such effects," said Mark Rein, Vice President of Epic Games. "The introduction of GPU acceleration for PhysX promises both additional potential effects and faster performance. You can get a glimpse of the possibilities of what PhysX is able to do with the special levels for Unreal Tournament 3 where damage effects greatly enhance the gameplay."
All the owners of Nvidia GeForce 8 Series or higher GPUs can now experience the immersive playability that Nvidia PhysX technology brings to PC gaming. The first "GeForce Power Pack" released by the company showcases the changes the PhysX technology brings to video gaming.
"Seeing really is believing and is the reason why we compiled all of this great PhysX content into a free download for our end users," said Ujesh Desai, general manager for GeForce GPUs at Nvidia. "We want GeForce owners to experience for themselves these amazing effects to get an idea how PhysX will make games much more lifelike in the years to come. Physics-accelerated content is already here, and there are a ton more titles on the way. We can't wait for our customers to jump in, get wet, and tell us what they think!"
The new drivers that Nvidia released for its cards are compatible with Windows XP 32-bit, XP 64-bit, Vista 32-bit and Vista 64-bit. The PhysX-accelerated applications will run faster on the GeForce cards than on competitive GPUs, says Nvidia.