Since no-one has mentioned that these cards now exist and will be supported by some big up and coming releases I feel that it is time I introduced them to those of you who have missed the hype and initial reviews.
PPU or physical processing units are another type of card that gamers will need in the future alongside their GPU and CPU. Its an SLI slot solution that does hardware acceleration for game physics.
Imagine if you played oblivion and instead of all the grass and trees being rendered as texture objects, that you pass through as you wander along, they were instead rendered as objects that you physically interacted with i.e. footprints remain, grass becomes trampled and moves out of your path as you walk along. Well okay truth be told that level of interaction wont be here for a while. But the first PPU are now on the market and big games like UT2007 will be supporting them.
The first review I have seen was by theinquirer. You can read it here.
Other useful links:
PC perspective card review.
Anandtech - always good for an in-depth technical review.
Cards are on sale for those who want to be an early adopter. Overclockers UK has them in stock.
PPU or physical processing units are another type of card that gamers will need in the future alongside their GPU and CPU. Its an SLI slot solution that does hardware acceleration for game physics.
Imagine if you played oblivion and instead of all the grass and trees being rendered as texture objects, that you pass through as you wander along, they were instead rendered as objects that you physically interacted with i.e. footprints remain, grass becomes trampled and moves out of your path as you walk along. Well okay truth be told that level of interaction wont be here for a while. But the first PPU are now on the market and big games like UT2007 will be supporting them.
The first review I have seen was by theinquirer. You can read it here.
Other useful links:
PC perspective card review.
Anandtech - always good for an in-depth technical review.
Cards are on sale for those who want to be an early adopter. Overclockers UK has them in stock.
