http://www.ati.com/technology/crossfire/physics/index.html

there it is then, there are two way's of do'n :)

a 1+1 sollution so your X1900 XTX does the Ggraphics and the second X1900 XTX does the Physics :)
http://www.ati.com/technology/crossfire/physics/1%2B1.jpg

and there is a nice 2+1 sollution, then you have a X1900 XTX = X1900 CFE card in CrossFire and a X1900XTX as Physics Processing Unit.
http://www.ati.com/technology/crossfire/physics/2%2B1.jpg

You can also take an ATi X1300 series, X1600 series & X1800 series card as well, a X1K series card is a must to support the Physics feature.

What a great way to PWN Quad SLI CrossFire + max Physics where an Ageia card could dream of, an X1600XT for example does about 2 the Physics calculations of the Ageia PPU card, so imange what an X1800 or X1900 series card would do :)

My plans are buy the R600 as Graphics card and use my exsisting X1900 XTX as PPU :) that is in theorie faster than a normal CrossFire Setup, the CPU can be used for other stuff. :)

Ati also got the Best Inovation Award from Hexus :)
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=5989&page=3
So congratulations to ATI, winning the Best Innovation Award for Havok FX on Crossfire.
http://img.hexus.net/v2/internationalevents/computex2006/award_6.jpg

for the new stuff ATi all the way ;D ;D ;D

ah here a sneek peek of the Ati Radeon X1950 XTX:
http://tweakers.net/ext/i.dsp/1153581932.jpg

it has 512MB GDDR4 @ 2Ghz and Core @ 650 Mhz like X1900 XTX, it's adavantage is the faster GDDR4 and much scilenter and better cooling system.

this card can be used as PPU also and your remaining X1K card as GFX, but the wisest thing would be that you'd use your fasted ATi card as PPU  and a card like the X1950 XTX as main GFX card.

I would use the X1950 for GFX and X1900 XTX for PPU.

I wouldn't toss out >1000 Euro for a setup that is basically isn't even supported in Games for another 1-2 years to come...

So far, the Physics support in Games is about non-existent, the few existing ones give some eyecandy but actually run slower with PPU (the GPU still has to render all the stuff that flies apart i.e. in Explosions).

IMHO, the PPU's and derivates won't make much sense until they are all implemented in a common DirectX and OpenGL API for broad and uncomplicated support from Game makers.

Due to insane Power requirements, heat & noise generation, SLI and Xfire will remain a niche market with only few users.

PS.
Above 2+1 Setup comes in at no less than 1500 Euro, not counting a suitable (expensive) Motherboard and the required (expensive) 600W+ PSU.
Finding a "silent" Case that still allows full throttle of such a config in hot summer conditions without ruining your ears is a whole different question ;)

hmm I must say that ATi's design with the PPU might be  a better grab at the whole idea, the advantage is that they are looking at the future so when you get it you will be prepared for new com'n effects, I think it will work in some aps likeFlight Sims it would be very effective.

MS FSX also called FS 2006 will support the PPU feature and that is gonna be released this year's end ,so I think ATi do'n the right thing, and 1500 euro's for the 2+1 setup would be normal for a High end gamer, the most high end gamers gor for the best and won't mind how much it would cost.

anyways we allready have our X1900's all what we have to do is buy a PPU card or CFE card to upgrade it's that easy we won't have to spend the big 1000 or 1500 hehe :)

and the other thing have you seen mobo's with 3 PCI-E x16 slots yet?

I think there are a handful of Boards with that many PCIe Slots (e.g. 16+8+8 Lanes), but they're still rare & expensive.

I agree that the whole Idea is pretty cool, it just takes quite a while for it to take off or something special that people will buy it for (like what GLquake was for 3dfx cards)

yeah exactly :) when the Voodoo Graphics hit the shelves I got me the Diamond Monster3D for about 350 Euro's back then that was top notch hardware for it's time 170 euro's is about 364 Guilders hehe, and now look what you need for top notch stuff rather insane hay.

anyways I rather but a nice 3dfx Prototype for that 1000 euro's heh :X

but then again I must say that a single X1900 XT/XTX  can outperform a single 7950 dual core card in most cases thanx to the 48 Pixel Shader Procs and the 512Bit RingBus Memory controller :)

I must sau this single X1900 XTX still does it's work perfect no schockiness nothing just smooth images with perfect Image quallity.

Flight Simulator 2004 max settings FSAA x6 AF x16 @ 1600 x 1200 x32 it's a real dream to play with since the X800 XT PE AGP the X1900 XTX is indeed a great replacement for that old AGP card.

I have to agree with FalconFly on this one. To much money to dish out for a machine that won't be fully utilized for another 2-3 years and by then who knows what'll be out. The heat issue along with the insane power to run it, is enough to really think about. Better option is to by a small refrigerator cut a whole in the back for cables and run it in there instead. Just open the door for cd's. :P

hmm the noise of the Raddy X1900 XTX stock cooler isn't that loud as many say it is, I suppose it's quite a difference where the PC is located :)

Mine is just on my desk on the right side and just did a realtime flight from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to Perth Western Australia in a Lufthansa B744 in 5 hours and to be honest the card's coolers is very quiet compared to the GeForce 6800GT Dual DVI AGP I had before.

here a nice inflight shot :)
http://www.3dfx.ch/gallery/d/14592-2/Lufthansa+B744+FS+2K4.jpg

that was above the Timor Sea between Indonesia and Darwin @ 38.870 feet speed was 910 á 940 kph :)

Anyways to get back to the point the PPU idea is still very innovative even for it's time.

Next year it will be usefull, MS is forcing all software companies to make use of all DX10 possibillities just to make more money, It's well known news here, though that type of news most people don't like hearing because they just got thier G71's and R580's and so on, the PPU has a great advantage in DX10 apps afaik, in DX10 that is where the PPU get's it space.