Just saw this new video card http://www.ageia.com/physx/Looks like if this thing takes off future versions of FS will be even more amazing ;)It actually hardware renders stuff like hair, bone animations, cloth etc...:D:D:D

..MS are already developing their own physics API.

that's software... we're talking hardware :-wave cheers :)

You won't need any other hardware besides the graphics card..

Here's what the physics render card does... It is hardware that runs alongside your videocard that provides for physics simulation....This is something that will take the load off the CPU and GPU and allow for real time 3d rendering of physics effects on the fly instead of having to create pre-rendered animations... This will have a huge impact on the film industry too, no longer will we have to wait for 'render farms' for 3d animations (well we always likely will, but this will make it more real time)...It provides a hardware solution to creating the dynamics of the real world, like the way objects interact with one another etc... It's kinda like a hardware card that will simulate both the laws of physics and possibly eventually chemistry...If you look at the following link it will explain what this hardware card will do... If you look on the right at the power gaming triangle it will help bring a simple understanding of the way the card works...http://www.ageia.com/physx/what_is_physx.htmlCPU (Central Processing Unit) = Think and ConcentrateGPU (Graphics Processing Unit aka videocard) = Render and DisplayPPU (Physics Processor Unit)= Move and InteractIn future the PPU would take the workload off both the CPU and GPU which would mean less coding needed for FS due to not having to code a physics api as these aspects will eventually be handled by a PPU. This would mean the code could in theory be trimmed and more power being available for the sim's display and simulation engine...What is Physics for Gaming? http://www.ageia.com/physx/faqs.html#3What is a Physics Processor? http://www.ageia.com/physx/faqs.html#3It will be available for sale through http://usa.asus.com/products2.aspx?l1=2&l2=100 <- note at the time of posting the link does not appear to be working... It can be found via http://usa.asus.com/products1.aspx?l1=2The link seems to be down tonight. I found this info from a clickthrough at some website, I think it was an FS centric website too...I had always thought hardware that could render both physics and chemistry would be a wonderful tool... Imagine an FS world where liquid is actually modelled as real liquid in a physics engine :) Imagine the possibilities :D

I can already say it now - it would have to be third party developers, which would create software to take advantage of the extra hardware.

Sweet I wonder if it goes in a pci slot.

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The new Ghost Recon uses the Agea physics processor and initial reports say that you take a significant hit on perfroamcne with it (makes sense with the increased effects). In theory it's cool, although I can't see too many benefits in FS, but hopefully it will mature in the future as I plan to get it for Ghost Cecon eventually.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/mcdcvabanner.jpgCalVirAir International

ACES recently commented in a previous thread:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...g_id=3691&page=tdragger: "Just so you know, we looked at the capabilities of the processor awhile back. It's general purpose processor that is great for games that feature collisions and explosions but doesn't really offer much that would help FS (at least right now). I'm sure if it gets traction in the marketplace we'll take another look."

sounds to me like another smoke mirror. aka hardware sound rendering for the ultimate realism and performance (sic).i'll pass.

>>ACES recently commented in a previous thread:>>http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...g_id=3691&page=>>tdragger: "Just so you know, we looked at the capabilities of>the processor awhile back. It's general purpose processor that>is great for games that feature collisions and explosions but>doesn't really offer much that would help FS (at least right>now). I'm sure if it gets traction in the marketplace we'll>take another look.">Yes, we've no plans to use it for FSX.Cheers,

>Sweet I wonder if it goes in a pci slot.Yes, it takes a pci slot so far. Maybe later it will be in pcie form.I really hope the Physics card takes off. Games now days needs a little boost in the creativity department and allowing the software dev

Cool, we'll see what the future brings, it's funny how dreams of a kid nearly 20 years ago are fast becoming reality...In as far as the physics engine, once the laws of physics are coded (which are constant), games will be able to utilize the features without having to simulate physics models...I'd say eventually we'll see chemistry engines as well, possibly in 10-20 years atomic modelling hardware too...