The PhysX Configuration in the NVIDIA Control Panel allows users to select which processor (CPU or GPU) will handle physics calculations for games or applications that use NVIDIA’s PhysX technology.
What PhysX Configuration Does
PhysX is a physics engine developed by NVIDIA that provides real-time physics effects in games, such as realistic movement, collisions, explosions, and ragdoll dynamics. In the Control Panel, users can choose whether these calculations are handled by the system’s CPU, a specific NVIDIA GPU, or let the driver select automatically (“auto-select”).
How to Access and Set PhysX Configuration
- Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking the desktop and selecting it from the menu.
- Navigate to the 3D Settings section and click on Set PhysX configuration (sometimes labeled “Configure Surround, PhysX”).
- Under PhysX settings, choose the desired processor:
- Click Apply to confirm your selection.
Visual Representation and Effects
- The Control Panel shows a visual representation of which device is performing PhysX processing.
- If the GPU is selected, a cloud graphic points to the GPU—otherwise, the CPU is highlighted.
- This setting generally affects games and 3D applications that support PhysX and does not impact most video editing or productivity software.
Key Points
- PhysX Configuration is mainly relevant for games using NVIDIA’s PhysX engine.
- Assigning PhysX to the GPU can benefit physics-heavy applications but for most games, using the CPU or auto-select is sufficient.
- Changing settings only applies to supported applications; many modern engines use alternative physics libraries.
If a system has multiple NVIDIA GPUs, users can dedicate one for PhysX processing, optimizing performance in certain scenarios.
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