GamePhys

The Video Game Physics Blog

How To Install Nvidia Dedicated PhysX Graphics Card With ATI Graphics Cards

YouTube user keiki646 has put together a really nice instructional video on how to setup an NVIDIA graphics card as a dedicated PhysX card when using an ATI card as the main renderer. He goes in-depth on how to install the needed drivers and PhysX patch needed to run a setup like this then shows you how to configure the card in Windows and make sure it is working with PhysX FluidMark. Check out the video below and be sure to check out his YouTube page here.

Hybrid PhysX mod v1.03 From GenL Now Available

GenL has released a new version(v1.03) of his Hybrid PhysX mod. This Hyrbid PhysX mod allows ATi Radeon users that want use use their ATI card such as a 5870 as their main GPU and have a dedicated Nvidia card to run the PhysX calculations. This mod is unfortunately required to use GPU PhysX if you are running an ATI card since Nvidia disabled GPU PhysX when a non Nvidia card is present in the system.

Check out the official forum posting from NGOHQ here.

From the Hybrid PhysX mod v1.03 thread at NGOHQ:

Hybrid PhysX discussion: here
Latest GeForce driver: 197.45 (April 13, 2010) – works with v1.03download
Latest PhysX SS: 9.10.0222 (February 22, 2010) – works with v1.03download
(info updated – 21/04/2010)
__________________

NVIDIA GeForce driver 19x.xx Hybrid PhysX mod [x86/x64] v1.03

* DESCRIPTION:
This mod will enable hardware PhysX support for NVIDIA GPU, when non-NVIDIA GPU is used as a primary display device.
- intended only for WDDM 1.1 OS (Windows 7) and NT5 WDM OS (Windows XP/2003).
- only for multi-vendor multi-GPU configurations.

* VERSION HISTORY:
1.01 – 02/10/2009:
- initial release

1.02 – 29/11/2009:
- added support for fixing new checks in 195.xx drivers
- added support for XP/2003 drivers
- both x86 and x64 are supported by a single mod now

1.03 – 21/04/2010:
- added support for fixing a timebomb, introduced in 196.75 and 197.xx drivers (gravity reverse + overall slowdown after a few seconds of PhysX processing)
- mod will now attempt to patch PhysX System Software files (helps to eliminate desktop extension requirement on Windows 7)
- mod will now disable “nvsvc” service autostart (helps to fix problems with fake displays)
- improved patching process (no more need to reboot in Safe Mode or terminate any process)
- improved patching logic (mod will no more try to patch non-existent files)
- improved accuracy of some patterns to avoid unnecessary patching

* RECOMMENDED UPDATE STEPS (Windows 7):
1. Create one fake display assigned to NVIDIA GPU and do not extend it. Or make sure it is created already and not extended.
2. Install the needed GeForce driver package. Update PhysX System Software package if needed.
3. Use the mod to patch all needed files and registry values automatically.
4. Open NVIDIA Control Panel and enable PhysX hardware acceleration.
5. Do not run any PhysX application and reboot your system.

* RECOMMENDED FRESH INSTALLATION STEPS (Windows 7):
1. Install the needed GeForce driver package. Update PhysX System Software package if needed.
2. Use the mod to patch all needed files and registry values automatically.
3. Create one fake display assigned to NVIDIA GPU and do not extend it.
4. Open NVIDIA Control Panel and enable PhysX hardware acceleration.
5. Do not run any PhysX application and reboot your system.

* REGULAR INSTALLATION STEPS (Windows XP/2003):
1. Install the needed GeForce driver package. Reboot your system if asked.
2. Use the mod to patch all needed files and registry values automatically.
3. Assign one fake display to NVIDIA GPU and extend it. Or make sure it is created and extended already.
4. Open NVIDIA Control Panel and enable PhysX hardware acceleration.

* NOTES:
1. If you update PhysX System Software after using the mod, you should use it again to patch the updated PhysX files.
2. It is safe to use the mod several times – all needed files will be patched only once.
3. If you still have problems with fake displays and desktop extension, try to delete a fake display and create it again.
4. After reboot you may find “*.tmp” files in system directories left after patching. You can safely delete or leave them.
5. To let the mod correctly patch all needed files on x64 versions of Windows XP/2003, install KB942589 hotfix first.

* Thanks to all beta testers! Special thanks to ghost_zero5!

Read the rest of the thread here.

How To: Run PhysX in Windows 7 with ATI Cards

Tator Tot over at the Overclock.net forums has put together a nice and easy to follow How To guide for running PhysX in Windows 7 when you are running an ATI card as your main graphics card and want to throw in an extra Nvidia card for dedicated PhysX. Check it below or join the rest of the discussion at Overclock.net here.

from the Overclock.net How To: Run PhysX in Windows 7 with ATI Cards thread:

Would you like to run PhysX In Windows 7 with your ATi GPU to enjoy all that your game can be?

It’s simple, just follow the instructions!

Download PhysX Patch Here

For x86 or x64 Windows 7 Systems

NVIDIA GeForce driver 19x.xx PhysX mod [x86/x64] v1.01
by Liandri / THETA

* DESCRIPTION:
This mod will enable hardware PhysX support for NVIDIA GPU, when non-NVIDIA GPU
is used as a primary display device.
- intended only for WDDM 1.1 OS (Windows 7).
- only for multi-vendor multi-GPU configurations.

* INSTALLATION:
1. Install the needed GeForce driver package. Do not reboot when asked.
2. Use the mod (x86/x64) to patch all needed driver files.
3. Reboot.

* NOTES:
1. If you are unable to patch the files due to “file in use” error, you may try one of the following solutions:
- Terminate all NVIDIA runtimes (nv***.exe) and Windows Explorer shell (explorer.exe) manually before patching.
- Try using the mod under Safe Mode.
2. It is safe to apply the patch several times – the needed files will be patched only once.
3. After reboot you may find “*.tmp” files in system directories left after patching. You can safely delete or leave them.

* Thanks to beta testers:
ghost_zero5, Pat, Skyfallkavu, Decebal, darthcyclonis, Kinnyo

* Do not let proprietary closed standards choose a hardware for you! When they die, the hardware will be useless.

Originally Posted by Question
When should I install the ATi GPU & Drivers?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Answer
Well, normally you would pick up an ATi card first and then want PhysX so it would be before but it does not matter when you install which set of drivers.

As this is just a patch to get PhysX running with an ATi card installed.

So if you had a 9800GT first, and then through in an HD5870 Later, you could set the HD5870 as your primary Video Adapter, and then use the PhysX patch to enable PhysX to run on your 9800GT.

Short Answer: You can install the ATi GPU & Drivers at Any Time
Quote:
Originally Posted by Question
How would I test without a game to see if PhysX is running properly?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Answer
An easy benchmark to run is Fluidmark which will let you know immediately if you have PhysX enabled or not.


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