# NVIDIA PhysX

Application: NVIDIA

Also called physx system software, nvidia physx

NVIDIA, Drivers

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

| 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.

| 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

| 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.

| Download      | [www.nvidia.com/software/physx/ ](https://www.nvidia.com/software/physx/)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [www.nvidia.com/drivers/ ](https://www.nvidia.com/drivers/)Vendor support                                  |
| Official site | [www.nvidia.com/software/physx/ ](https://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

Technical details

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

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[NVIDIA App: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/nvidia-app)[DirectX End-User Runtime: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/directx-runtime)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [NVIDIA PhysX official site ](https://www.nvidia.com/software/physx/)· Vendor product page
- [NVIDIA PhysX help ](https://www.nvidia.com/drivers/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: NVIDIA

  **Category**: Physics runtime

  **Process**: PhysX\_\*.exe

  **License**: Free NVIDIA runtime

  **First released**: 2005

  **Official site**: [nvidia.com/software/physx](https://www.nvidia.com/software/physx/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/physx/)

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