So far, AGEIA Technologies' unique PhysX processor, a chip devoted solely to the computations used in modeling physical systems, has yet to take off in the game world after much hype surrounding its release. That hasn't deterred the likes of Dell Inc. and other interested parties, who have reportedly invested in AGEIA over $70 million in venture capital.
In fact, Dell has already sold gamer-oriented PC packages that include the PhysX chip standard (XPS 600 Renegade), with other models slated to release very soon. By itself, the chip's estimated cost online is $249 – $299 according to AGEIA's chief executive Manju Hegde.
The PhysX chip began its consumer life in May of this year, but hasn't exactly caught on. In the context of video games, the chip promises to deliver a more realistic, interactive, dynamic world without the normal tradeoffs games in the past exhibited, given that the physics processing is accounted for with the PhysX processor.
One reason it hasn't caught on is the simple fact that games have to be made to take advantage of the chip. A few games out now take advantage of the chip, such as "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter". Hegde emphasized that 23 games will be coming out this year that will utilize the chip, with over 100 more in development.
Hegde expects the chip to have other uses outside the video game industry as well, such as modeling of automobile and aircraft chassis or in the digital animation business.