ATI w/ PhysX Card, Xp64, PCI-Ex4

Ok, so I am considering trying to install a physX card to compliment my 4870 512mb card. Currently I am using a 780g motherboard with 2 PCI-E slots (x16/x4). I am planning, sometime in the near to medium future, on getting a 790 motherboard of some variation, so I think getting this set up running now will be a good test.

I have read in a few scattered places, that PhysX operates fine on sub x8 PCI slots, and that the x4 slot on some p55 mobos is apparently designated as a PhysX endorsed slot. So I guess I am not concerned about the x4 slot, and more encouraged in having a use for that slot now.

http://www.gamephys.com/2009/10/21 [...] part-deux/

I am aware of the current nvidia driver lock-out of physx while an ATI card is present. I am also aware that there are several workarounds available. What I am curious about is that XP64 is really resistant to allowing unsigned drivers to be installed. I do plan on ugprading to 7 sooner or later, but if XP64 is a roadblock, I will probably wait on the physX card. Has anyone had any success tinkering with this sort of setup in xp64?

Also,, are there varying performance level of dedicated PhysX cards? It was my general understanding that PhysX has a static demand on the card, and that regardless of what card it is, as long as it supports physX, it will provide the full PhysX experience. Am I totally wrong about that? Tbh, my experience with nvidia cards is very limited, and am trying to decide on what card I should get. I have access to a used 8600gt, and 9500gt, and 9600GSO, their pricing in that order from cheapest to most expensive.

Thanks in advance for your inputs!

Well, to be honest, I think PhysX isn't worth the money to invest buying discrete card.

I don't think PhysX makes that much difference.

64 bit-ness requires a signed driver, so I'm sorry...

I'd think that the used 9600GSO would be best for the job since it is the most powerful.

In XP and 7, you can run 2 graphics drivers at the same time.

Sweet eh?

Well, you could use an older driver.

PhysX doesn't increase performance, quite the opposite actually.

Only in 64 bit mode are signed drivers required. There are ways around this tho...

I picked up the card today (GSO) but gonna give myself some time to try figure out if it will work on xp64, and if not that, 7u64. If neither, I have been pining to get my HTPC completed, and this card will work well for that, should it be useless in my main rig.

Yeah, I had planned on skipping vista since the first underwhelming DX10 screens were released. That was before I even knew about the vista certified nonsense, or had to fix friends and families computers that weren't broken at all, but just had vista installed.

If the I can get the GSO working (will start trying tomorrow, got all day to get angry and throw tantrums while the wife is at work) then I will probably buy the 9500gt for the HTPC (its only $25 through a friend anyway). I have a deep dark sense of forboding on this whole issue, mind you, hah.

haha, I already have a wife, but thanks!

"If you want I might be able to steal some of your money... "

I got that, was just making a wives-cost-money-i'm-a-grunting-man type joke out of your d&d rogue reference.

Windows XP can!

No success yet, but haven't been working too hard on it, to be honest. Probably this week sometime I'll get down to it, but initial plug and play with older drivers was not effective, though I have read some suggestions on installation orders, so Iwll try that out as well.