ATI teams with Havok for boundless gaming

Interesting...Could be the tech used in the Wii with the continuous rampant rumors abound?

With that setup I can finally save on my heating bill for the computer room !

This would be seriously cool if you didn't require an x1800 for physics only, and instead could use an x1300 if that's the only duty it will serve. I'd imagine it's pci-e only, so no 9600s, lawl.

@ #1 lolz!...wishful thinking man but i doubt technology like this is being used in the Wii. i mean Nintendo has said its not participating in the "next-gen" graphic wars and this article is talking about 2-3 cards stacked (in or around the X1900 series of cards) and the Wii is what...the size of the slim ps2...like i said wishful thinking...but it did make me chuckle =)

Far more than those. I'd say that the bulk of games on the Xbox360 feature Havok. Amped 3, Far Cry, etc etc etc.

I think I should explain myself better. There have been rumors that "Broadway", the Wii-specific designed video card, would possibly incorporate a PPU, or physics processing unit. While Nintendo will not incorporate a video card with the GPU speed of the Crossfire X1900, the technology used to piggyback the cards could be customized for the Wii console, so that a PPU would be included in such a small case.

Nvidia also has an SLI physics solution in the works, as well as a single GPU version (which is interesting on it's own). Looks like Ageia might be muscled out of the physics market alltogether, unless they can make their cards significantly cheaper than a second graphics card.

This is a brilliant strategy. If one starts with an SLI-capable motherboard, you can build a system using a mid-range, say $200-$250 video card, and enjoy that for a while. Then, when the unobtainable $500 card comes down to the affordable mid-range, it can be installed as the main video card and the older card retained as a physics accelerator. Rather than the traditional upgrade route where SLI is constrained by the need for matching cards or most of the first video card's investment is lost except for what little can be recouped by selling it or putting it in a secondary system, this approach delivers both a major boost to 3D rendering AND physics acceleration. The result is more overall gaming power than providing an identical partner for an aging GPU.

Alternately, if one is attracted to physics heavy games, a system can be designed with one strong but affordable video card and a much less expensive card for PPU usage. Strongly physics oriented games will get more power from this combination than just the increased rendering power of a common SLI arrangement. For those with more expansive budgets the boards with triple x16 slots will allow for full SLI and physics acceleration.

I expect Nvidia will soon offer a countering scheme to promote their products' value. Meanwhile, Ageia is left on the sidelines. Once again, the company that promoted an idea into consumer consciousness is left behind by incumbents whose advantage in personnel and capital allow them to beter exploit the market.

Its funny how companies like nVidia and ATI can sell $500 to $600 video cards for gaming yet no one lambastes them for the prices. Then to add insult to injury they suggest not only buying two cards but now three of the same cards to improve your gaming experience. If they want me to upgrade my 9800pro they need to start offering high-end video cards at a more compelling price. Freaking 1500 to 1800 dollars for physics enhanced high definition gaming. Sounds like the PS3 to me.