Description:

This mod will enable hardware PhysX support for NVIDIA GPU, when non-NVIDIA GPU is used as a primary display device.

• intended only for WDDM 1.1 OS (Windows 7) and NT5 WDM OS (Windows XP/2003).
• only for multi-vendor multi-GPU configurations.

1.04ff – 29/06/2010:

• removed support for fixing GeForce driver binaries as current 256 series don’t need this (dropped support of all older 19x series drivers)
• added support for fixing a new limitation in PhysX System Software, introduced in 9.10.0223 (aka 9.10.0528/9.10.0529)
• added extra optional command line files (nvsvc and PhysX related)
• removed most of gfx/sfx stuff (the mod is now tiny and no more requires 96dpi mode)

You can download Hybrid PhysX mod 1.04ff from our server (0.5 mb)

Q: Why do we need both v1.03 and v1.04ff, which should I use?
A: If you are not going to use anything older than 257.21 – forget about v1.03 and use v1.04ff. 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 v1.04ff afterwards. The mod v1.04ff will not help with 19x series GeForce driver.

For FAQ and installation instructions please refer to Hybrid PhysX thread at NGOHQ

Update: 1.04ff mod works with 258.69 Beta; 258.96 Beta/WHQL drivers and 9.10.0224 System Software

Hybrid PhysX mod 1.03 is available for download here

Quoting GenL, Hybrid PhysX mod creator

I’m seriously amazed… seems like you are right! I just didn’t test it yesterday because i saw a user report saying otherwise on another site, but now i’ve tested it by myself on Windows XP and Windows 7 x64 – it really works “out of the box” with 257.15.

In Windows XP i’ve just extended the fake desktop, and on Windows 7 i created one non-extended – that’s all i needed to get GPU-PhysX working. And even more surprising – timebomb issue is gone too, at least for its normal time interval (~30 seconds in FluidMark).

Originally, Hybrid PhysX configurations were officially blocked by Nvidia in Q4 2009.

Update: video from TweakPC, showing Hybrid system working with 257.15 drivers. In addition – tests by Geeks3D

What’s this – accidental mistake or permanent change, ticket to the bright future for Hybrid PhysX systems ?

Update #2: unfortunately, this was just a bug.

Yes, this is a bug in the latest build of PhysX that was packaged with the driver. We’ll be fixing this issue ASAP – the WHQL driver launching in early June won’t have this issue. – NVIDIA.

Shame on you, Nvidia. Anyway, we still have Hybrid PhysX mod.

Update #3: official statement from Nvidia

The fact remains that the investment to do a full QA cycle on this AMD/NVIDIA hybrid GPU configuration is beyond what NVIDIA can support at this time. The cost of maintaining AMD/NVIDIA hybrid configurations is larger than the development expense for PhysX, and I do expect that there are games and configurations where this type of system just won’t work.

Use comments to this post to provide your feedback.

Update: Another article from TweakTown. HD 5970 and HD 5870 with GTX 465, GTX 285 and GTX 260 as PhysX cards.

Hardly many people can afford such system, but at least, it is interesting read.

UPDATE: New Hybrid PhysX Mod 1.04ff available.  For 257.21 and newer GeForce drivers.

DESCRIPTION:
This mod will enable hardware PhysX support for NVIDIA GPU, when non-NVIDIA GPU is used as a primary display device.
- intended only for WDDM 1.1 OS (Windows 7) and NT5 WDM OS (Windows XP/2003).
- only for multi-vendor multi-GPU configurations.

VERSION HISTORY:

1.03 – 21/04/2010:
- added support for fixing a timebomb, introduced in 196.75 and 197.xx drivers (gravity reverse + overall slowdown after a few seconds of PhysX processing)
- mod will now attempt to patch PhysX System Software files (helps to eliminate desktop extension requirement on Windows 7)
- mod will now disable “nvsvc” service autostart (helps to fix problems with fake displays)
- improved patching process (no more need to reboot in Safe Mode or terminate any process)
- improved patching logic (mod will no more try to patch non-existent files)
- improved accuracy of some patterns to avoid unnecessary patching

You can download Hybrid PhysX Mod 1.03 from our server (2.2 mb) *

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 are no such thing here.

Update #2: 257.21 WHQL GeForce Driver and 9.10.0223 PhysX System Software are not working with 1.03 mod.

No need to use Hybrid PhysX mod with BETA 257.15 GeForce Driver.

Update: situation regarding Trojan alert. Aqusations by HardOCP. Responce from NGOHQ.

For installation guide and FAQ please refer to NGOHQ or our previous collection of links.

Use commentaries to this article or thread at NGOHQ forums to report errors/positive results.

* PhysXinfo is not responcible for any harm this file can cause to your system. Use it for your own risk.

However, user Containforum, known for his Hybrid PhysX installation guide and Catalyst 10.2 extended display fix, has come out with a solution – he created a “patch”, that resolves  performance problems (at least for FluidMark) and allows you to use Hybrid PhysX without necessity to extend display.

Update: You can download containforum’s fix 1.02 here (25 mb). GenL mod must be applied firstly.

Update #2: comment from GenL

Result can’t be called a “patch” anyway. This package contains several unmodified (unpatched) files from PhysX SS v9.09.1112 and v9.10.0129. While this can’t be a proper solution for newer versions of PhysX SS, i’m surprised it worked for people

Update #3: Extended display fix only.

UPDATE: Hybrid PhysX mod 1.03 released – with timebomb fix and lastest drivers support.

It’s recommended to use it with 196.34 drivers and latest PhysX System Software.

Please use this post or comment at youtube to report if this fix is working with other GPU PhysX games, or any problems you will encounter.

Despite the fact that guide is Italian, english version of Windows was used, so it’s easy to follow the process just by watching video carefully.

Other guides you may refer to: Link#1 | Link#2 | Link#3 (Please note that most of them refer to old PhysX mod 1.01 – use 1.02 mod instead, download link above) | Link#4 | Link#5 (video guide) | Link#6 (specific details) | Link#7 | Link#8 (detailed) <- it’s recommended to start from newer links.

Catalyst 10.2 and extended display error fix.

Moreover, after you’ll apply this fix you’ll will be able to use dedicated Nvidia GPU for PhysX – without necessity to extend display. Yep, mouse cursor won’t jump off the screen now.

Article itself is nothing particularly special, from our opinion – only one dedicated PhysX GPU was tested, old 1.01 PhysX mod (while 1.02 is available for several months) and old installation guide (while much more detailed can be found easily) were used – still, fact that Hybrid PhysX is now recognized by such popular website like Fudzilla, is memorable enough.

Other Hybrid PhysX links you may refer to:

Installation instructions – Link#1 | Link#2 | Link#3 (Please note that most of them refer to old PhysX mod 1.01 – use 1.02 mod instead, download link above) | Link#4 | Link#5 (video guide) | Link#6 (specific details) | Link#7 (Italian video guide) | Link#8 | Link#9 (detailed) <- it’s recommended to start from newer links.

Hybrid PhysX systems benchmarks: HD4870/5870+9500/9600GT | HD4850/5750+9800GT | HD5870+GT220 | 2xHD5870 + 9800GT

New Lucid Hydra, technology that can split graphics rendering even between  ATI and Nvidia GPUs in Multi-GPU setups, was rumored as compromising solution for Hybrid PhysX problem. (can’t say we believed in that).

Unfortunatelly, recent tests of MSI Big Bang Fuzion, first motherboard with Hydra Engine inside, have shown finally – No. It’s not working this way.

According to Big Bang Fuzion review by GURU 3D

What if you want to enjoy PhysX in X-mode? – well you can’t, as the minute the NVIDIA driver sees an ATI card, it will disable it.

Batman Arkham Asylum benchmarks from Big Bang overview by tomshardware.com are showing that there is no benefit from ATI+NV combo setup

Thus, PhysX mod by GenL is the only way currently to get Hybrid PhysX setup working.

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.