Hybrid PhysX - AMD/ATI RADEON + NVIDIA PHYSX Performance Benchmarks Secrets Review

Hybrid PhysX (ATI RADEON + NVIDIA COMBO PERFORMANCE) BY GneL

Hybrid PhysX is an name of unofficial configurations, where AMD Radeon and NVIDIA GeForce cards are used simultaneously, AMD GPU for graphics, and NVIDIA GPU - for PhysX.

Hybrid PhysX configurations are not supported and even chased by NVIDIA (if AMD card is detected in the system, NVIDIA GPU will lock PhysX processing capabilities), thus are available only through special driver hack, known as Hybrid PhysX Mod, developed by a user with nickname "GenL". 

Important note. Hybrid PhysX is not officially supported by NVIDIA and AMD. Use it for your own risk.

Driver compatibility

Hybrid PhysX mod 1.05ff works normally with: (the list might be not full)

• PhysX System Software verion: 9.10.0224, 9.10.0512, 9.10.0513, 9.10.0514, 9.11.0621
• NVIDIA GPU Drivers version: 258.69 Beta, 258.96 Beta/WHQL, 259.09, 259.31, 259.32, 259.47 WHQL, 260.63 Beta, 260.89 Beta/WHQL, 260.93 Beta, 260.99 WHQL, 261.00 Beta, 275.33 WHQL, 280.19 Beta, 280.26 WHQL, 285.36 Beta, 285.58 WHQL, 285.62 WHQL, 285.79 Beta 

Hybrid PhysX mod 1.05ff is not compatible or not working with:
  
PhysX System Software: 9.11.1107, 9.11.1111, 9.12.0209 & 9.12.0213 .

 

Requirments:

1. ATI RADEON HD SERIES CARD as a Primary Card (HD 3000 series or higher).
2. Nvidia Geforce 8/9/200/400/500/600 series as PhysX Dedicated card. Note card has minimum 32 cuda cores either the PCI-Express x4/x8/x16 (8500GT or higher).
3. Windows XP/2003/Vista/7 either 32Bit(x86) or 64bit(x64).
4. Ati Radeon Graphics drivers Catalyst 10.8 or Higher.
5. Nvidia Geforce Graphics drivers (for versions see above)
6. nvidia PhysX system software (for versions see above)
7. Hybrid PhysX Mod/Patch 1.05ff.

Drivers & Patches Links:

• Latest ATI AMD Graphics Drivers
• Nvidia Geforce Driver Package 286.62 WHQL.
• PhysX Sytem Software 9.11.0621.
• Hybrid PhysX mod 1.05ff Patch. (you see link on the center of forum page)

Installation instructions

• INSTALLATION STEPS (Windows 7/Vista - 32bit or 64bit):

1. Install the needed GeForce driver 256 package (Recommended : 285.62 WHQL).

2. Install PhysX Sytem Software only 9.10.0223 or later (Recommended : 9.11.0621).

3. Use the Hybrid PhysX mod to patch all needed files and registry values automatically. (Recommended : 1.05ff).

4. [optional/not needed] Use command line files to set a desired configuration.

• INSTALLATION STEPS (Windows XP/2003 - 32bit or 64bit):

1. Install the needed GeForce driver 256 package (Recommended : 285.62 WHQL).

2. Install PhysX Sytem Software only 9.10.0223 or later (Recommended : 9.11.0621).

3. Use the Hybrid PhysX mod to patch all needed files and registry values automatically. (Recommended : 1.05ff).

4. Extend the display assigned to NVIDIA GPU. Or make sure it is extended already.

5. [optional/not needed] Use command line files to set a desired configuration.

For download, more details, FAQ and Mod discussion please refer to NGOHQ forums

Compatibility with GPU PhysX applications

Certain games or tools may require additional steps to be done to achieve compatibility with Hybrid PhysX configurations:

Disclaimer: Use following suggestions for your own risk (make a backup first)

• Alice: Madness Returns - rename or delete PhysXDevice.dll library, located in game's folder (this will make driverless PhysX SDK, used in this and some other titles to recognize patched files).
• Batman: Arkham City - rename or delete PhysXDevice.dll library, located in game's folder. You may also need to extend display assigned to NVIDIA GPU (step normally not required).
• Mirror's Edge - rename/delete PhysXLoader.dll, PhysXCore.dll and PhysXDevice.dll files, that can be found in \Binaries directory.
• FluidMark 1.2. and above - rename or delete PhysXDevice.dll library, located in FluidMark folder. 

Important 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. To let the mod correctly patch all needed files on x64 versions of Windows XP/2003, install KB942589 hotfix first. 

FAQ:

Q: Why do we need both v1.03 and v1.05ff, which one should I use?

A: If you are not going to use anything older than 257.21 - forget about v1.03 and use v1.05ff. The mod v1.03 is intended for old 19x series and 9.10.0222 (+older) PhysX SS. If you update any component from the [old] 19x.xx and/or 9.10.0222 (+older) to [newer] 256 series and/or 9.10.0223 (+newer) - you should apply the mod v1.05ff afterwards. The mod v1.05ff will not help with 19x series GeForce driver.

Q: I applied the mod v1.05ff, but i can't find the PhysX option in NVIDIA Control Panel. What's wrong?

A: You do NOT even need to touch the Control Panel for current 256-series GeForce drivers. GPU-PhysX will work straight after you apply the mod. Don't forget to create and extend a fake display if you are using Windows XP/2003.

Q: There is something wrong with mod v1.03 window, I can only see "Info" and "backup" buttons.

A: v1.03 is having problems with GUI if you are using non-default DPI options for your display. Set it to 100% (96 dpi), like this. Sorry for this issue, it should be fixed in v1.05ff.

Q: Is there a virus/trojan/malware inside? My security software thinks so.

A: Your security software can make mistakes and thus is unreliable, just like any other security software. There is no such thing here.

 

Hyprid PhysX Benchmarks & Performances:

Test setup: Intel Core I7 860 CPU, Asus P7P55D Motherboard, 2GB DDR3 RAM, 32-bit Win 7 Ultimate OS.

As you may see, Batman Arkham Aylum and Darkest of Days are working fine on hybrid setup, but not Mirror’s Edge. This title needs, afaik, right combination of PhysX and GPU drivers and some manipulations with PhysX engine .dlls to get it working.

But that’s not all. People planning to add dedicated PhysX GPU to their setup are often bothered with question like “How many PCI-E lines are enought for PhysX GPU ?“. Following benchmark shows that even PCI-Ex4 slot is OK.

ATI RADEON HD 5870 + NV GT 220 Hybrid PhysX Benchmarks

Two questions may bother some people, interested in PhysX nowadays  – “Are those hybrid ATI+NV PhysX configurations really working ?” and “How new GeForce GT 220 can perform as dedicated PhysX card ?“ below benchmark answer both of those questions.

System, used for benchmarks includes Intel Core i7 975 Extreme CPU, 6GB DDR3 RAM, EVGA Classified X58 Motherboard, ATI HD 5870 and Nvidia GeForce GT 220 GPUs running on Windows 7 RC7100 64-bit OS.

Three setups were tested:

Single GT 220 (Both graphics and PhysX processing)

Single HD 5870 (CPU is calculating all PhysX effects in this case)

HD 5870 for graphics + GT 220 for PhysX (using GenL Mod)

Test results:

Nurien Benchmark

	Min fps	Avg fps	Max fps
Single GT 220	16,5	33,1	93,4
Single HD 5870	18,8	42,3	148,5
HD 5870 + GT 220	64,7	101	183,6

Star Tales Benchmark (1280×1024, 4xAA, 8xAF)

	Min fps	Avg fps	Max fps
Single GT 220	11,1	19,3	698,9
Single HD 5870	9,46	34,9	1213,5
HD 5870 + GT 220	38,39	125,7	2851,2

Cryostasis Techdemo (1280×1024, DX10)

	Min fps	Avg fps	Max fps
Single GT 220	9,5	15,1	43,8
Single HD 5870	5,8	15,8	164,6
HD 5870 + GT 220	45,7	75,1	172,9

Batman Arkham Asylum built-in benchmark (1280×1024, PhysX High)

	Min fps	Avg fps	Max fps
Single GT 220	12	23	42
Single HD 5870	13	21	57
HD 5870 + GT 220	41	88	132

As you may see, single GT 220, overwhelmed by simultaneous graphics and physics processing, can’t handle latest GPU PhysX games with appropriate fps (it’s obvious, GT 220 is low-end GPU). In most cases, Core i7 975 CPU is even faster. But moving GT 220 to a dedicated PhysX card boost framerate up to 4-5 times.

Hybrid PhysX: 2x HD5870 + 9800GT in Batman Arkham Asylum

However, with PhysX effects set to High, fps is bottlenecked with PhysX simulation, as it went from average 301 (with PhysX disabled), to average 125. Still, more than enough to play the game without any inconvenience.

Metro 2033 - HD 5970 + 8800 GT Hybrid PhysX 2

"Tower" level; 1920*1080; AFX16; 4XMSAA; DX11 options ON; FRAPS record

Fluid Mark PhysX on ATI 5870 / GeForce 470GTX  

 Batman: Arkham City PC - Hybrid PhysX

Batman: Arkham City PC gameplay with a Hybrid PhysX setup. ATI/AMD HD6970 for rendering + Nvidia GT430 dedicated for PhysX

1080p Full-HD, VSync Enabled, 8x MSAA, Full Effects, PhysX Enabled and set to High.

AMD/ATI physx hd 5870 + Nvidia 8800GT Windows 7

StarTales Physx Benchmark ATI 5870 + GTX 260

More Results:

Mirror's Edge
AMD 6970 Physx Off- 242fps
AMD 6970 + GT 430 Physx On - 128fps
AMD 6970 + GTX 460 Physx On - 132fps

Cyrostatis Benchmark – High settings 1920x1200 DX10

AMD 6970– Total Time 688.108s
Total Frame count 9821
Average fps 14.3
Minimum fps 5.3
Maximum fps 167.5

AMD 6970 + GT 430 – Total Time 147.212s
Total Frame count 9821
Average fps 66.7
Minimum fps 43.1
Maximum fps 153.9

AMD 6970 + GTX 460 – Total Time 143.754s
Total Frame count 9821
Average fps 68.3
Minimum fps 44.2
Maximum fps 161.1

Fluid Mark 120000 particles, 7 emitters, 1920×1200 fullscreen, PostFX enabled, Async mode ON: With GT 430 card installed - Global score: 430 points, PhysX score: 68 points (11 SPS avg), GraphX score: 361 points (61 AVG avg)

Fluid Mark 120000 particles, 7 emitters, 1920×1200 fullscreen, PostFX enabled, Async mode ON: With GTX 460 card installed - Global score: 446 points, PhysX score: 73 points (12 SPS avg), GraphX score: 369 points (63 AVG avg)

3DMark 11 (not sure if Physx is utilized at all here, scores are slightly lower but very close with GT 430 installed)

AMD 6970 - P5948 and X1938
AMD 6970 + GT 430 - P5917 and X1932
AMD 6970 + GTX 460 - P5931 and X1928

MSI Kombustor DX11 KMARK Exteme 1920x1080 (not sure if Physx is utilized at all here, scores are slightly lower but very close with GT 430 installed)

AMD 6970 - 1845 points (44 FPS, 130000 ms)
Graphics Score: 1382 (25 fps)
Physx Score: 4276 (168fps, 225sps)
FPS: min = 16, max = 202, avg = 44

AMD 6970 + GT 430 - 1834 points (44 FPS, 130000 ms)
Graphics Score: 1382 (25 fps)
Physx Score: 4060 (169fps, 211sps)
FPS: min = 16, max = 205, avg = 44

AMD 6970 + GTX 460 - 1837 points (44 FPS, 130000 ms)
Graphics Score: 1382 (25 fps)
Physx Score: 4086 (169fps, 215sps)
FPS: min = 16, max = 203, avg = 44

Power consumption

System specs below: Idle draw 351W, highest load running above tests is 538W
System with GT 430 added: Idle draw 351W(???) will sometimes jump to 358W, Highest load running above tests is 569W
System with GTX 460 added: Idle draw 393W, Highest load running above tests is 631W

Temps:

There was zero change in my system temps using the GT 430, they stayed within what I normally experience. The GT 430 idles around 33 degrees and maxed out at 50 degrees

With the GTX 460 my system temps were about 1-2 degrees higher on the motherboard and about 3-4 degrees higher on the CPU during these tests. The EVGA GTX 460 1GB FTW idles at around 33 degrees (same at the GT 430) but maxed out at about 61 degrees, so that could account for the extra overall rise in temperature in my case.

Conclusion:

With all things considering I think the GT 430 is a very good solution if you must have Physx support with a AMD card. The results are playable frame rates with Physx enabled, something AMD can't do on its own. If you decide to go with a higher GPU like the GTX 460 you may get some extra performance, it is a very small 2-5fps but there is some performance increase. It is difficult to say if this is due to the extra clock speeds, 256-bit memory bus (compared to 128-bit GT 430), or the extra CUDA cores (336 vs 96). The bottom line is that I cannot justify the cost of a GTX 460 when you consider the minimal increase in performance compared to the GT 430, especially if you value power consumption and case temperatures. The GTX 460 will most certainly require extra power and generate extra heat, this costs you extra money on your electrical bill. The GT 430 is also available in a large variety of single card solutions, the GTX 460 does have some single slot designs but they are expensive and add extra heat due to a poorer cooling solution.

My personal decision is to stay away from PhysX right now, but I will be keeping an eye out for a killer deal on a single slot 9600 GT / GT 220 / GT 430, if I can get a great price I'll buy one and use it for PhysX. Until then I can live without the added effects and the performance hit.

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