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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf a classic game’s GPU-accelerated PhysX effects stopped working on your RTX 50-series card, first check whether NVIDIA supports that specific game. For nine named titles, NVIDIA added a custom compatibility path in GeForce Game Ready Driver 591.44 WHQL, released December 4, 2025. Install that driver or a later compatible release, then check the game’s PhysX setting and NVIDIA Control Panel configuration. The fix does not restore general 32-bit CUDA support or cover every older PhysX game.
First, check whether NVIDIA supports your game
The issue is tied to the phase-out of 32-bit CUDA support on RTX 50-series cards. Some older games use 32-bit GPU-accelerated PhysX, so their effects may not work as expected on the newer cards. NVIDIA’s December 4, 2025 announcement introduced custom support for a specific group of classic games; it is not a general fix for 32-bit CUDA applications.
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NVIDIA named these nine supported games:
- Alice: Madness Returns
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
- Batman: Arkham City
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Borderlands 2
- Mafia II
- Metro 2033
- Metro: Last Light
- Mirror’s Edge
NVIDIA said Batman: Arkham Asylum support was planned for early 2026. The cited announcement describes it as planned, not delivered; check NVIDIA’s newer driver release notes to verify whether it has since been added.
Install the driver and check both PhysX settings
- Update the graphics driver. For one of the nine listed games, install GeForce Game Ready Driver 591.44 WHQL or a later compatible driver. NVIDIA says this driver line adds custom support for 32-bit GPU-accelerated PhysX effects in those selected titles on GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. See the December 4, 2025 announcement and 591.44 WHQL details.
- Enable the relevant option in the game. Open the game’s graphics or PhysX settings and check its PhysX quality option. A driver update may not automatically turn on an in-game setting.
- Choose a PhysX processor in NVIDIA Control Panel. Open 3D Settings > Set PhysX configuration. Choose Auto-select (recommended) or select a specific PhysX-capable NVIDIA GPU, then click Apply. NVIDIA’s configuration help explains the available choices; its GPU acceleration instructions describe selecting a GPU. The PhysX visualizer can show which processor is selected.
CPU is also an available processor choice in the control panel. Selecting it is an option to try, but it is CPU processing rather than GPU-accelerated PhysX. NVIDIA’s PhysX overview provides general background on the technology.
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If your game is not on NVIDIA’s list
Do not assume driver 591.44’s custom support restores GPU-accelerated PhysX in an unlisted game. You can try the CPU choice in NVIDIA Control Panel, or—if the system already has a compatible second NVIDIA GPU—select that card as the PhysX processor. Manual selection is available, but NVIDIA’s documentation does not guarantee that assigning another GPU will resolve every legacy game’s compatibility problem.
Adding a graphics card solely for PhysX is a conditional workaround, not a universal or necessarily economical fix. Before considering it, verify that the game can use a separately assigned GPU and that your PC has an available PCIe slot, enough power capacity, and a suitable configuration. No performance benchmark establishes a universal frame-rate advantage for one processor choice over another.
Quick Recap
What to expect from the options
| Option | When it applies | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Driver 591.44 WHQL or later compatible driver | One of NVIDIA’s nine named titles | Provides NVIDIA’s custom support for selected legacy PhysX effects on RTX 50-series GPUs; it does not cover every 32-bit CUDA application. |
| Auto-select or a specific GPU | In NVIDIA Control Panel’s PhysX configuration | Lets the driver choose a processor or lets you select a PhysX-capable NVIDIA GPU. The game’s behavior depends on its compatibility. |
| CPU | In NVIDIA Control Panel’s PhysX configuration | Uses CPU processing rather than GPU acceleration; performance and effects depend on the game and system. |
| Second NVIDIA GPU | Potentially useful for some unlisted titles, if the game and PC support the setup | Requires compatible hardware, available PCIe space, and adequate power. It is not guaranteed to fix the game. |
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