Goodbye, PhysX: NVIDIA Retires Iconic Technology with RTX 50 Launch

NVIDIA has officially ended support for 32-bit CUDA applications in its RTX 50 series graphics cards, unexpectedly marking the end of PhysX — the physics simulation technology that once defined realism in gaming. As confirmed by company representatives on the developer forum, dropping the outdated 32-bit architecture has effectively rendered PhysX incompatible with the latest GPUs. However, owners of RTX 40 and earlier models will still be able to use PhysX.

PhysX was the first engine to shift complex physics calculations (object deformation, fluid dynamics, environmental destruction) from the CPU to the GPU. This allowed for unprecedented detail: Batman's cape in the Arkham trilogy flowed with lifelike realism, while explosions in Metro Exodus left craters that altered the landscape. The technology became a hallmark of hits like Mirror's Edge, Borderlands 2, and The Witcher 3, but its exclusivity to NVIDIA graphics cards limited its audience.

With the rise of universal engines like Havok and Unity Physics, as well as the widespread adoption of Vulkan and DirectX 12, developers began favoring cross-platform solutions. PhysX’s deep integration with CUDA architecture excluded console and mobile projects from using the technology. According to experts, the end of PhysX marks a paradigm shift: the industry is moving away from specialized solutions towards open standards and neural network algorithms. For example, DLSS 3.5 already uses AI for light simulation, while NVIDIA's Project Astra promises a revolution in procedural generation. One day, in-game physics may be indistinguishable from reality, but PhysX will be remembered as the first step toward that future.