{"id":41131,"date":"2014-03-04T13:10:00","date_gmt":"2014-03-04T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=41131"},"modified":"2014-03-07T02:58:44","modified_gmt":"2014-03-07T02:58:44","slug":"using-maxwells-gtx-750-ti-dedicated-physx-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/using-maxwells-gtx-750-ti-dedicated-physx-card\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Maxwell&#8217;s GTX 750 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Maxwell architecture arrived nearly two weeks ago on 28nm as the GM107 <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/maxwell-arrives\/\">GTX 750 Ti<\/a>. This new $149 GPU is the most basic GPU of Nvidia&#8217;s upcoming Maxwell architecture and it features 640 CUDA cores boasting extra-ordinary efficiency and almost matching a GTX 480 in terms of performance.<a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/750tiplus780-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-41133 alignright\" alt=\"750tiplus780-2\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/750tiplus780-2.jpg?resize=360%2C170\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/750tiplus780-2.jpg?resize=360%2C170 1000w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/750tiplus780-2-150x70.jpg 150w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/750tiplus780-2-300x141.jpg 300w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/750tiplus780-2-520x245.jpg 520w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/750tiplus780-2-720x340.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Now we want to see how it performs as a stand-alone dedicated PhysX card to accompany a GTX 680, GTX 680 SLI, GTX 780 and a GTX 780 Ti. We are going to compare the GTX 750 Ti to the GTX 650 Ti it replaces and even compare it to a GTX 680 to see if any PhysX performance gets left on the table. We also just added a GTX 480 as a dedicated PhysX card to the mix as we have already compared its graphics performance to the GTX 750 Ti two weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What is important to realize is that the $149 GM107 GTX 750 Ti (670 Maxwell Cores) is a much more powerful GPU than the $149 launch-priced GK106 GTX 650 Ti (768 Kepler CUDA cores) that it replaces, but it only requires about half the power and a little more than 25% more die area on the same 28nm process. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/keplervMaxwell.jpg?resize=300%2C140\" width=\"300\" height=\"140\" \/>A GTX 750 Ti does not require more power than what a standard 75W PCIe rail can provide. No external power cable is needed which makes it perfect for use as a dedicated PhysX card!<\/p>\n<p>So as to not bottleneck our graphics nor physics calculations, we will use our Core i7-4770K at 4.0GHz which equalizes very well to our previous Ivy Bridge benches with Core i7-3770K at 4.5GHz. We use 8x2GB of fast Kingston HyperX \u201cBeast\u201d DDR3 at 2133MHz in an ECS flagship Z87 \u201cGolden\u201d motherboard.<\/p>\n<p>We can&#8217;t wait to test out our GTX 750 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card, but before we begin the testing, head over to our testing configuration.<\/p>\n<p><!--pagetitle: Introduction - The GTX 750 Ti as a Dedicated PhysX card--><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle: Test Configuration--><\/p>\n<h2>Test Configuration &#8211; Hardware<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Intel Core i7-4770K (reference 3.5GHz, HyperThreading and Turbo boost is on to 3.7GHz; overclocked to 4.0GHz; DX11 CPU graphics), supplied by Intel.<\/li>\n<li>ECS GANK Domination Z87H3-A2X motherboard (Intel Z87 chipset, latest BIOS, PCIe 3.0 specification, CrossFire\/SLI 8x+8x) supplied by ECS<\/li>\n<li>16 GB DDR3 HyperX Kingston &#8220;Beast&#8221; RAM (2&#215;8 GB, dual-channel at 2133MHz; supplied by Kingston)<\/li>\n<li>GeForce GTX 750 Ti, 2GB reference clocks, supplied by Nvidia<\/li>\n<li>Nvidia GTX 650 Ti, 1 GB reference design and clocks, supplied by Nvidia<\/li>\n<li>GTX 480, 1.2GB (reference clocks), supplied by Nvidia<\/li>\n<li>GTX 680, 2GB (reference clocks), supplied by Nvidia<\/li>\n<li>GTX 690, 4GB (+88MHz offset to match GTX 680 SLI reference clocks), supplied by Nvidia<\/li>\n<li>GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB (reference clocks), supplied by Nvidia<\/li>\n<li>Nvidia GTX 780<strong> <\/strong>3GB, supplied by Nvidia<\/li>\n<li>Onboard Realtek Audio<\/li>\n<li>Genius SP-D150 speakers, supplied by Genius.<\/li>\n<li>2TB GB Toshiba 7200.10 hard drive<\/li>\n<li>Thermaltake ToughPower 775W power supply unit supplied by Thermaltake<\/li>\n<li>Thermaltake Water2.0 Pro watercooler, supplied by Thermaltake<\/li>\n<li>Thermaltake Overseer RX-I full tower case, supplied by Thermaltake<\/li>\n<li>Philips DVD SATA writer<\/li>\n<li>HP LP3065 2560&#215;1600 thirty inch LCD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Test Configuration &#8211; Software<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>NVIDIA GeForce WHQL 334.89. High Quality; Single-display Performance mode; Prefer Maximum Performance<\/li>\n<li>Windows 7 64-bit; very latest updates<\/li>\n<li>EVGA PrecisionX 4.21 overclocking and monitoring software; temperature and power targets set to maximum.<\/li>\n<li>Latest DirectX<\/li>\n<li>All games are patched to their latest versions.<\/li>\n<li>vsync is forced off in the control panels.<\/li>\n<li>Varying AA enabled as noted in games; all in-game settings are specified with 16xAF always applied<\/li>\n<li>All results show average frame rates<\/li>\n<li>Highest quality sound (stereo) used in all games.<\/li>\n<li>Windows 7 64, all DX9 titles were run under DX9 render paths, DX10 titles were run under DX10 render paths and DX11 titles under DX11 render paths.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>The PhysX Game Benchmarks<\/strong><\/p>\n<div><strong>DX9 <\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Borderlands 2<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><strong>DX10<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Cryostasis<\/em> (Tech Demo)<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><strong>DX11<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Batman: Arkham Origins<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Metro: Last Light<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Batman: Arkham Origins<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We wanted to feature Assassin&#8217;s<em> Creed IV: Black Flag<\/em> as it has been recently patched to include PhysX. Unfortunately, with the GTX 750 Ti installed, the game&#8217;s control panel does not even offer the options for PhysX at all, and we are waiting on a patch from Ubisoft to enable PhysX with GM107.<a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/cryostasis.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-41142\" alt=\"cryostasis\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/cryostasis-300x187.jpg?resize=300%2C187\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/cryostasis-300x187.jpg?resize=300%2C187 300w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/cryostasis-150x93.jpg 150w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/cryostasis-1024x640.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em> Cryostasis<\/em> featured PhysX in 2008 but it was so demanding that it could barely run at 1920&#215;1080 with GTX 280 Quad-SLI with everything else maxed out. Its particle and fluid simulations are still very demanding on a dedicated PhysX card.<\/p>\n<p>We also picked the latest two Batman Arkham games as they feature PhysX and have built in benchmarks, as well as <em>Metro: Last Light <\/em>and<em> Borderlands 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s head to our performance charts.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle: PhysX Performance Summary Chart--><\/p>\n<h2>Performance summary chart<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Here is the summary chart of five modern games that use PhysX. The highest settings are chosen and it is DX11 when there is a choice; DX10 is picked above DX9, and the settings are generally ultra and maxed as specified on the chart. The benches are run at 1920&#215;1080 and at 2560&#215;1600.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The GTX 680 is shown in the first column and it calculates PhysX besides graphics. The second column features the same GTX 680, but it is now paired with a GTX 750 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card. The third column substitutes a GTX 650 Ti for the 750 Ti. The fourth and fifth columns show a GTX 780 performance without and with a GTX 750 Ti, while the sixth and seventh columns do the same for the GTX 780 Ti.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The final five columns are devoted to the GTX 690 at GTX 680 SLI speeds. First, (Column 8) results are given without a dedicated PhysX card, then (Column 9) uses a GTX 750 Ti, while (Column 10) substitutes a GTX 650 Ti. The second to last (Column 11) uses a GTX 480 as a dedicated PhysX card with GTX 680 SLI, and finally, the last column uses a GTX 680 to calculate the physics.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/mainchart-fnl.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-41149\" alt=\"mainchart-fnl\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/mainchart-fnl.jpg?resize=720%2C140\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/mainchart-fnl.jpg?resize=720%2C140 1261w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/mainchart-fnl-150x29.jpg 150w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/mainchart-fnl-300x58.jpg 300w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/mainchart-fnl-1024x198.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1261px) 100vw, 1261px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We see a very clear trend. Pairing a GTX 650 Ti with a GTX 680 brings performance improvements to all games over just using a GTX 680 by itself, except at 1920&#215;1080 in the <em>Cryostasis<\/em> Tech Demo. Of course, <em>Cryostasis<\/em> is a very old game and there may also be driver issues.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Some of these gains using a dedicated PhysX card with a GTX 680 are quite significant and make the difference between enjoying a fluid experience and having an unsatisfactory one. However, in every single case, the new GTX 750 Ti is stronger as a dedicated PhysX card than the GTX 650 Ti and we continue to see it bring performance improvements to the GTX 780 and to the GTX 780 Ti.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Using GTX 680 SLI, we can see that it is again held back by using the GTX 650 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card in <em>Cryostasis<\/em>, yet it brings a performance advantages to the other four games. Upgrading the GTX 650 Ti to a GTX 750 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card, brings further performance increases to all five games without exception.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">It is interesting to see that a dedicated PhysX card brings the most <em>needed<\/em> performance gains to the lesser-performing GTX 680, with a GTX 750 Ti generally making only small gains over the GTX 650 Ti. As the primary graphics card becomes more powerful, the GTX 750 Ti distinguishes itself from the GTX 650 Ti. A GTX 650 Ti brings only modest gains to a GTX 680 SLI set-up, for example, while a GTX 750 Ti gains fps more significantly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We added a GTX 480 to the benches at the last minute since we have already compared it with the GTX 750 Ti in our <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/maxwell-arrives\/\">original evaluation<\/a>. We note that its performance as a dedicated PhysX card is better than with using the GTX 650 Ti, and it stands with the GTX 750 Ti and even with the GTX 680 in the more demanding benchmarks. However, even though a card does not use as much power when used as a dedicated PhysX card compared to using it as a graphics card, the original reference GTX 480 adds significant noise and heat and it is far preferable to use a nearly-silent and power-sipping GTX 750 Ti if there is any other choice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/BatmanAC.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-41154\" alt=\"BatmanAC\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/BatmanAC-300x187.jpg?resize=300%2C187\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/BatmanAC-300x187.jpg?resize=300%2C187 300w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/BatmanAC-150x93.jpg 150w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/BatmanAC-1024x640.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>Finally, when we substitute a GTX 680 for the GTX 750 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card, we see that no performance is left on the table except in the <em>Batman: Arkham Origins <\/em>games at 1920&#215;1080<em>,<\/em> where there may be driver issues with the new video card. In this particular case, as a dedicated PhysX card, the GTX 480 is faster than the GTX 750 Ti and GTX 650 Ti, and it nearly catches the GTX 680.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Sometimes there are also advantages to using a dedicated PhysX card by leaving it in the &#8220;autoselect&#8221; mode in the Nvidia control panel instead of dedicating a particular card. We gained 4fps, from 96 to 100fps, in <em>Batman: Arkham Origins<\/em> at 1920&#215;1080 with GTX 680 SLI by choosing autoselect.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Let&#8217;s head for our conclusion. <!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle: The Conclusion--><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MetroLL.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-41143\" alt=\"MetroLL\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MetroLL-300x187.jpg?resize=300%2C187\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MetroLL-300x187.jpg?resize=300%2C187 300w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MetroLL-150x93.jpg 150w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MetroLL-1024x640.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>This has been quite an enjoyable exploration for us in testing the use of a GTX 750 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card when used with video cards ranging from a GTX 680 to GTX 680 SLI. We can see that there are noticeable advantages to using a dedicated PhysX card and that even a GTX 650 Ti is useful in most circumstances over not using a dedicated card.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In our limited testing, we see the greatest practical advantage to pairing a dedicated PhysX card with a GTX 680 at our demanding settings, and in many cases it will make the difference between a fluid playing experience and one that is unsatisfactory.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The entry-level Maxwell architecture GM107 GTX 750 Ti is much stronger as a dedicated PhysX card than the GTX 650 Ti, and in most cases it even matches the (impractical and expensive) GTX 680 when used with GTX 680 SLI. Using a reference GTX 480 as a dedicated PhysX card also adds performance, but at real costs of noise and extra heat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros &#8211; using a GTX 750 Ti as a dedicated PhysX card<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In all cases, performance is gained over not using it and it is stronger than the GTX 650 Ti.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The Verdict:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We would recommend using a dedicated PhysX card to play PhysX titles and a GTX 750 Ti is a great balance of price and performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stay tuned, there is a lot coming from us at ABT. Next week, expect an evaluation of a new Galaxy GTX 750 Ti. Please don&#8217;t forget to check our <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/abt\/viewtopic.php?f=4&amp;t=31626\" target=\"_blank\">Forums<\/a>. ABT forum tech discussions are among the best to be found anywhere. Happy Gaming!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maxwell architecture arrived nearly two weeks ago on 28nm as the GM107 GTX 750 Ti. This new $149 GPU is the most basic GPU of Nvidia&#8217;s upcoming Maxwell architecture and it features 640 CUDA&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":41133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7814,3330,4454,7],"tags":[7417,5153,5834,5122,7416,7400,6641,7152,7403,121,539],"class_list":["post-41131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-featured-content","category-mini-reviews","category-technology","tag-dedicated-physx-card","tag-evaluation","tag-gtx-650-ti","tag-gtx-680","tag-gtx-680-sli","tag-gtx-750-ti","tag-gtx-780","tag-gtx-780-ti","tag-maxwell","tag-nvidia","tag-physx"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41131"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41131\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}