NVIDIA Acquires AGEIA: Enlightenment and the Death of the PPU

Final Words

Isn't NVIDIA a Hardware Company?

So, rather than being about the PhysX hardware, this acquisition is all about the software. NVIDIA is relying on CUDA as a vehicle upon which to implement AGEIA's PhysX software. This doesn't require specialized hardware beyond a graphics card, we aren't going to be seeing a PPU stuck next to the next generation GPU, and we aren't even going to be seeing a lot of AGEIA's hardware IP inside of NVIDIA's GPU.

Tony Tamasi stated that, while NVIDIA may use bits and pieces of PhysX hardware technology, this is not the goal or focus of the acquisition. The idea is that, as DirectX and Shader Models evolve and as graphics becomes a problem that requires better handling of dependant code, GPUs will inherently become better at physics calculations. With CUDA at the center while shader hardware continues to become more capable, eventually everyone will have the hardware to handle a game built around complex physical interactions.  This puts NVIDIA's GPU Computing agenda in a position to effectively benefit the average gamer.

But What of the PPU?

By moving in the direction they are already moving, NVIDIA will eliminate the need for a dedicated physics processor. Especially if AMD can get on board and adopt PhysX. As Graphics cards evolve naturally, they will become better physics processors. In the meantime, the PPU isn't going to just completely vanish. After all, NVIDIA can't port PhysX to their architecture in one night. Our understanding is that current commitments will be met, but beyond that the future is to treat the GPU as a general purpose massively parallel floating point engine that can be used to process physics.

Unfortunately for AGEIA, Cell Factor didn’t turn out to be the GLQuake of the physics world. On the flip side, struggling to sell an overpriced product that didn't offer users a huge tangible incentive isn't a good business model. This move is a logical one for AGEIA as it keeps PhysX relevant even if the stand alone hardware doesn't have much of a future. It also really benefits NVIDIA because they have the opportunity to compete with Intel on physics. Here's to hoping AMD joins forces with NVIDIA on this one.