Nvidia’s latest 50-series graphics cards are facing criticism for their performance with certain older games. Reports indicate that these new GPUs struggle to run legacy titles as effectively as previous generations.
One significant change is the removal of support for PhysX, a physics simulation technology that enhanced gameplay in many popular games from the early 2010s. Users on various forums have noted that PhysX is now turned off by default and, when enabled, runs on the CPU, leading to performance issues.
Nvidia confirmed that support for 32-bit CUDA applications has been discontinued for the 50-series and future generations. While this change was mentioned in a support article, the implications for PhysX were not clearly communicated, leaving many gamers unaware of the potential impact.
PhysX, acquired by Nvidia in 2008, was known for its realistic simulations in titles such as Borderlands 2, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, and the Batman: Arkham series. Although its usage has declined in recent years, many players expressed disappointment over the lack of warning regarding its discontinuation.
In response to the changes, users have compiled a list of nearly 50 affected games, detailing their performance when using CPU-based PhysX. The list includes popular titles released between 2007 and 2014.
Gamers who frequently play older games may find it advisable to stick with previous Nvidia generations, such as the 40-, 30-, and 20-series, which continue to support 32-bit CUDA applications. Additionally, the availability of the new 50-series GPUs remains limited, complicating the transition for some users.
For more details, visit the original article on GameSpot.