GeForce 8400GS as a Dedicated PhysX Card.

[Timmie3054]

Okay, I have a ATI 4870 as my main card. My mobo only supports 1 PCI-e slot.
My ATI 4870 is currently using it.

I do have 2 PCI slots available though. I was looking at some PCI cards, and I came across a GeForce 8400GS 512MB Card.

I really want to play Mafia II with physX on, but I cant because I need a PhysX card.

So my question is.

If I use my ATI 4870 as my Main card, Can I use the GeForce 8400GS 512MB as a Dedicated PhysX Card?. I don't see why this would not work...

Also, I was not sure if it would work because the GeForce 8400GS 512MB is a PCI card, and my ATI is a PCI-e Card. I don't know if this would cause any issues.

Here is the card I would be purchasing.
http://www.canadacomputers.com/prod...item_id=023549&sid=0l612h55oblt6uvi9pcirsi5l0

Also I am quite aware there are drivers out there that let you use nVidia cards with ATI cards.

 

[Anarchy0110]

First up, you can't do it
At least 2 PCI-E Slot is available on your motherboard, but you only have 1. Of course you can't use PCI-E video card on regular PCI slot.
Secondly, I don't think you can use the 8400GS for PhysX because if I wasn't wrong, at least an 8600GT or better
Or you can get some Aegia PhysX card in PCI interface. It will help you doing PhysX Done !

 

[Mussels]

I'll join in with some more information for you.

1. PCI-E and PCI are incompatible.

2. PCI video cards are too slow for PhysX

3. the 8400GS is also too slow for physX - people reccomend an 8600GT, 9600GT or better.

4. The Ageia PPU's would be a good option, except Nvidia has made them pretty much incompatible with the latest versions of PhysX. Dont bother with it.

 

[Timmie3054]

Alright, So I will have to buy a mother board that has 2 PCI-e Slots.

So what card should I buy that will give me the best performance. I heard the 9800GT is pretty good.

 

[Anarchy0110]

Yeah that's right
Go with the 9800GT, just about 80-90 USD, great card for PhysX
I think it will perform well with the HD4870

 

[Mussels]

9800GT do have a good rep for PhysX cards, yes.

You didnt mention your operating system, but keep in mind ATI + PhysX doesnt work in vista, only XP and 7 and that you would obviously need a decent power supply to run two video cards.

 

[Timmie3054]

oh.... Well I am using windows Xp, and my PSU is 600w. So... would that be enough?

 

[Anarchy0110]

In regularly, you must have 3 PCI-e 6 pin Connector. 2 for HD4870 and 1 for 9800GT
600W maybe is enough if is quality-made PSU like CoolerMaster, Corsair, Silverstone, etc...

 

[Mussels]

In regularly, you must have 3 PCI-e 6 pin Connector. 2 for HD4870 and 1 for 9800GT
600W maybe is enough if is quality-made PSU like CoolerMaster, Corsair, Silverstone, etc...

^ what he said.


600W should be sufficient, but it would need to have three PCI-E power connectors.

This is partially why the 8600GT and 9600GT are popular, since they dont require the extra power connector.

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Wait stop, you are now thinking of buying a new motherboard and a 9800gt just for physx? why not just sell your 4870 and bag yourself a GTX 460, job done

 

[Timmie3054]

actually. My PSU is 700 watts, it is made by OCZ

My 4870 takes one 6 pin, and one 8 pin. I don't have any more 6 pins, but is there an adapter? like a molex to 6pin?

 

[Anarchy0110]

Sell a HD4870 for about 200 bucks and try to get about 20-30 more
Good point dude, thumbs up

 

[Anarchy0110]

actually. My PSU is 700 watts, it is made by OCZ

My 4870 takes one 6 pin, and one 8 pin. I don't have any more 6 pins, but is there an adapter? like a molex to 6pin?

Most of the 9800GT will have that adapter.
Oh BTW, what is that HD4870

 

[Mussels]

actually. My PSU is 700 watts, it is made by OCZ

My 4870 takes one 6 pin, and one 8 pin. I don't have any more 6 pins, but is there an adapter? like a molex to 6pin?

there is, but theres a catch. on PSU's with multiple rails like your OCZ, the adaptors get you power from the first rail only - so its possible to overload that rail causing the PSU to shut off (you'll experience sudden shutdowns and reboots)


my advice to you would be a 9800GT green edition, or 9600GT to lower the power requirements to help avoid that issue.

 

[Anarchy0110]

Meh, still have a feeling I'm a noob with all of you guys over here
BTW I thought 9600GT still requires a 6 pin PCI-E

 

[Mussels]

Meh, still have a feeling I'm a noob with all of you guys over here
BTW I thought 9600GT still requires a 6 pin PCI-E

9600GT and 9800 green edition are the two fastest ones without needing 6 pin PCI-E power.

Of course, they still draw power off the first rail of your PSU (since its coming from the motherboard) - but since they're lower power cards, its less of an issue.

 

[HossHuge]

If you're not in a rush, I'd wait for the low to mid range Nvidia cards that should be out next month.

DX11 and hopefully lower power consumption.

 

[Anarchy0110]

If you're not in a rush, I'd wait for the low to mid range Nvidia cards that should be out next month.

DX11 and hopefully lower power consumption.

He means the GTS 440, 445, 450 Coming soon

 

[Gjohnst4]

Sell a HD4870 for about 200 bucks and try to get about 20-30 more
Good point dude, thumbs up

Just for realistic purposes, 4870's are selling for about 75$ on ebay right now. You wont get 200$ unless someone is....well

 

[Anarchy0110]

Just for realistic purposes, 4870's are selling for about 75$ on ebay right now. You wont get 200$ unless someone is....well

Mentally retarded on computer technology Like I am

 

[AlienIsGOD]

If the OP is in Canada i'd say between $75-100...

 

[Xaser04]

Assuming you have a quick enough cpu and are willing to follow the tweaks you can get the mafia 2 physx to run on the cpu alone.

http://physxinfo.com/news/3628/mafia-ii-demo-tweaking-physx-performance/