http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17568825

This is the first independent feedback on a PPU in a real game situation that I've come across so far. Regrettably it's rather depressing. Either they do something magical with the drivers, or the AGEIA PPU will fizz out real fast.

It's still early yet. And I'm waiting to see how UT2007 makes out with it, both in speed and implementation.

Personally, I think there's a little too much emphasis on the frame count. The PPU is intended to push the physics to new levels that would really tax current systems. From reading that thread, even with the mild slow-down, I would consider it a success. Too bad the full effects can't be had in pure software where a true speed comparison could be made. Right now, it's just a "Was the extra eye-candy worth the money and the slow-down?" If the eye-candy were optionally fully implemented in software, then people could try it and experience horrific slowdowns along with the improved visuals and find themselves with a self-induced need for the PPU.

Now, the real concern for me is the implementation in the games. I really hope there's more to be had from this than extra debri in explosions.

By the way, the slow-down doesn't surprise me. And I wouldn't be surprised if the PPU frame count always comes up a little short inspite of driver improvements. Unlike the highspeed connection between the CPU and GPU, the PPU is sitting on the dated PCI bus on the southbridge, which I would imagine adds extra response time.

On a side note, I'm curious as to how much of the 133 MB/s throughput of the PCI bus the PPU actually sucks up, as that needs to be considered. My D875PBZ only has a 266 MB/s connection between the Northbridge and Southbridge, and a PPU pumping 133 MB/s of data through it, along with whatever the harddrives and the Soundblaster X-Fi are pushing, could result in one heck of a bottleneck at any particular moment of heavy drive activity.

If a physics card increases the image quality in ways I can see, than I will accept an FPS slow down -- if it is an FPS slow down that I can only measure -- but not see.

The extra particles and other physics effects are visible and add to immersion.

For me, if the "minimum" FPS is always above 20, then I will not "see" FPS changes (though I could measure them). However, I did not read info as to the "minumum" FPS in the link -- so, I don't know how "bad" the PPU situation is, yet.

So, a PPU is still a possibility for me. However, I will not buy one unless it supports a couple games I really want to play -- and makes a visible difference.

Wow, the PPU is really getting blasted in that thread. Seems pretty unfair to me, as it looks like the flaws are more with GRAW than they are with the actual hardware.

Wait and see.