NVIDIA PhysX

ApplicationNVIDIA

Also called physx system software, nvidia physx

NVIDIADrivers

Physics runtime some older games still require. The installer is PhysX_*.exe. It is not the Game Ready driver.

What you need to know

PhysX is a physics runtime. It is not the Game Ready driver.

Older games still ask for PhysX System Software. NVIDIA App installs drivers. DirectX End-User Runtime is a different missing-DLL pack.

What is it?: Physics runtime
Still current?: Yes, see Current status
Official download?: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If the game names PhysX, I install NVIDIA PhysX System Software. I do not treat NVIDIA App or the Game Ready driver as that runtime.

What is NVIDIA PhysX?

NVIDIA PhysX System Software installs physics DLLs older games load. It is not nvlddmkm.sys and not NVIDIA App.

If you have never used it

If an older game says "install PhysX", that is NVIDIA's physics runtime, not the Game Ready display driver. Get System Software from nvidia.com/software/physx. NVIDIA App updates the driver. This page is the optional physics pack some titles still name.

What is it used for?

Old game physics

Titles that still check for PhysX System Software. New Game Ready drivers do not always drop this pack.

Optional NVIDIA extra

You can have a working driver without PhysX. The game dialog is the signal.

Not the overlay or driver app

NVIDIA App is the current companion. GeForce Experience is the older companion. Neither is this runtime.

Who is it for?

People whose 2012 game exits on missing PhysX
Anyone who installed NVIDIA App and thought that included PhysX
Users who confused this with DirectX

Current status

NVIDIA PhysX (2005) is a current physics runtime from NVIDIA. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.nvidia.com/software/physx/.

How old is it?

Ageia PhysX hardware died years ago. NVIDIA kept a software runtime. Many current games bundle what they need. A 2010 "must install PhysX" dialog is still this runtime, not GeForce Experience.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

PhysX System Software

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor
RAM	Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.

Resource profile

CPU demand: Follows what you open inside the app
RAM demand: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
PhysX_*.exe	Installer name varies by version. Resident pieces are PhysX DLLs, not a daily tray app.

Startup components

No required Startup Apps entry. Games load PhysX DLLs when they start.

File locations

Common NVIDIA PhysX locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\PhysX\

Common problems

Updated Game Ready and the old game still wants PhysX

Install the PhysX System Software. The driver app is a different product.

Installed the DirectX 2010 redist instead

D3DX and PhysX are different dialogs. Read the missing module name.

Getting unstuck

Download PhysX System Software from nvidia.com/software/physx

NVIDIA drivers pages also mention it. Skip "PhysX all games" packs.

Keep NVIDIA App for the display driver

Two NVIDIA installs on one PC is normal: driver companion plus this runtime.

If only one old title needs it, install PhysX, then leave it

There is no daily PhysX tray you must keep open.

Alternatives

Games that bundled PhysX already have DLLs. DirectX End-User Runtime covers D3DX. The GPU driver is NVIDIA App or the driver pack.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	www.nvidia.com/software/physx/ Official installer or vendor page
Help	www.nvidia.com/drivers/ Vendor support
Official site	www.nvidia.com/software/physx/ Start here, not a random exe host

Related hardware

Software PhysX uses the CPU (and historically NVIDIA GPUs for acceleration). A working Game Ready driver is separate. Ageia cards are museum pieces.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

NVIDIA PhysX official site · Vendor product page
NVIDIA PhysX help · Vendor support
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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