XPS 1730 without the Ageia PhysX Accelerator card?

Hello everyone!

I need some advice. My faulty refurbished xps 1730 was just replaced by a new one (with 8800 sli gpu's and and an x9000 cpu). Since I bought the notebook originally through Dell business, the computer had to be reordered that way. Unfortunately, I was not able to get the AGEIA Physx Physics acccelerator card (since it was not offered on the business options).

Here are my questions:

1.) How important do you think this will be for future games in the next 2-3 years? (I mostly play flight and submarine simulations, but I may expand my gaming horizons in the future).

2.) Is it worth the money (about $85) to go ahead and order it seperately?

3.) How hard is it to install this card? (Would a computer amateur such as myself be able to do this?)

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

All DX10 (8-series and newer) nVidia chips come with the PhysX built-in. If you're talking about the old school Ageia card before they were bought by nVidia, that can be purchased separately only for desktops. It cannot be installed in a laptop but you don't even need to anyways, since like I said, it comes built-in.

Either way, in my opinion, it is not important at all. I find it to be just a gimmick so far. The only game I know taking advantage of it is Unreal Tournament 3 and even then, they have only about 3 maps to demo the "features".

 

PhysX was bought out by nvidia! Physx in its own form is dead. I believe I read something about nvidia looking into implimenting some features of physx in future products.
IMHO, physx accelerators were a waste of money, and could only be used on a small handful of games, plus, when playing multiplayer, all other players had to have a physx card as well.
It was never worth it IMHO.

 

If you want it, call up Dell. Your argument is that there is NO option to include the PhysX card when configuring the system either from business or home. The card is installed automatically. My system came with it installed.

I'm sure if you escalate it up they will ship it out.

Is it useful? You'll find mixed answers. Now that NVIDIA is incorporating PhysX into the drivers using the GPU, you can go that route. I read an article the other day stating that the using the GPU to handle PhysX works and you can see a difference in PhysX enabled games. Only downside is there was a slight FPS drop. Up to you if you want to hassle Dell Customer Care for the card.

 

Thanks guys for the advice. It sounds like the consensus is that the PhysX card is not really worth it. I guess I won't worry about it. At the moment, its not worth it to me to try to go back and hassle Dell for the card. For all the problems I have had, they have already upgraded me to an X9000 cpu (from a T7500) and have also given me a Blue Ray upgrade (from a regular DVD). I guess I can't complain.

Best regards.

 

imo dont worry about it wow a free x9000 upgrade is killer

 

I just ordered a 1730 and below is what it comes with. Does anyone know if I will be okay for gaming in the next 12 months or should I begin to order upgrades before I leave for overseas.
1 223-6305 XPS M1730, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300(2.4GHz, 800Mhz, 3M L2 Cache)
1 310-9524 PERSONALIZATION SHIELD, LCD COLOR WING OPTION,BLUE
1 311-7446 2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm for XPS M1730
1 320-5788 17 UltraSharp TrueLife Wide screen WUXGA for XPS M1730
1 320-6249 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT
1 341-6244 160G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
1 420-8345 Windows Vista Ultimate with bonus XP Pro
1 310-8617 Thank you for choosing Dell
1 412-0689 Image Restore
1 420-4928 Windows Media Player 10
1 420-5769 Internet Search and Portal
1 420-5924 Icon Consolidation Application
1 420-7622 DELL SUPPORT CENTER 2.0
1 420-8143 Media Direct 3.5
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
1 420-7468 ADOBE ACROBAT READER 8.1 DIM/INSP
1 313-5591 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
1 420-8183 Roxio Creator DE 10
1 313-4217 Integrated High Definition Audio, Inspiron
1 430-2680 Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
1 320-5789 Logitech Gaming LCD
1 410-1184 McAfee SecurityCenter 15-month
1 312-0603 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for XPS M1730
1 412-0148 No Internet Service Provider Requested
1 420-8051 Microsoft Works 9.0, English For Inspiron
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty
1 950-9797 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 412-0360 Soft Contracts - Banctec
1 960-8710 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 983-8450 Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
1 988-0307 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
1 900-9987 Standard On-Site Installation Declined
1 986-3557 LoJack Theft Recovery Service - 1 Year
1 420-8651 LoJack Theft Recovery Softwarefor Laptops, 1 Year
1 310-8624 You have chosen a Windows XP System
1 310-8319 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
1 464-9572 No Entertainment software pre-installed
1 420-7091 DataSafe Online Dim/Ins/XPS
1 420-7092 DataSafe Online Dim/Ins/XPS 1YR-FREE
1 987-4817 Insp Datasafe 3GB,1YR(Incl in price),DHS
1 988-0099 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
1 310-5408 Free Recycling Kit

 

I think the only downside would be your choice of GPU. A single 8700 may have issues keeping up with newer games as they are released. If you can afford it, I would seriously consider going with the 8800 option. You might call try calling Dell Customer Care, tell them you want to cancel the order since you want to go with the 8800 option and see if they can provide a reduction in cost with the system configured with an 8800.

Worth a shot. Ordering the 8800 later is going to cost you more... Here is the current link to the part on Dell's website:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Graphics_Cards/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=eep&cs=6044&sku=XM888&mfgpid=192793 Yep, you read right - $1999.99!

 

Tim Konuch, did you look in the accessories? I had to call and have them add it to my order.

If not, call and ask for part number 320-6171 (they will add it)

Ut3 uses this technology

 

The PPU is not worth the cost.

 

The PPU isnt really worth it IMO.
Nevertheless, if you want a guide on how to install it, look here.

 

mtv2004: I originally purchased a refurbished xps 1730 notebook (with a T7700 cpu, 8800sli, 1-250 gb hd and a DVD player). Because of the many problems (and Dell repair errors) that I had with the system, Dell finally ordered me a new replacement notebook that came upgraded with an X9000 cpu, 8800sli, 2x320 gb hd (raid 0) and a Blueray DVD!! When this new system was re-ordered for me through the Dell Resolutions department, the PPU option was unavailable on his screen. Considering all the upgrades that I received, I was not too worried about not getting the PPU. I can always purchase it down the road if the need arises. Thanks for the part number information.

 

ifti: Thanks for the guide link.