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Mafia II’s APEX PhysX setting adds more detailed clothing motion, debris, smoke, and destruction effects. It can also reduce frame rates substantially in demanding scenes: in TechSpot’s 2010 test, a GeForce GTX 480 fell from 70 fps to 42 fps at 1680×1050 with anti-aliasing when PhysX was enabled. That is a result from period hardware, not a prediction for today’s PCs.
What does PhysX change in Mafia II?
NVIDIA describes APEX as its framework for adding physics-based effects. In Mafia II, the Medium and High settings add more detailed clothing, debris, and particle effects, with processing shared between the CPU and a suitable NVIDIA GPU.
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Mafia II | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Destruction and debris: explosions can leave more environmental debris.
- Smoke: sustained burnouts produce thicker smoke.
- Clothing: Vito’s jacket moves as he runs. NVIDIA says clothing at Medium looks the same as at High.
- Particles: Medium reduces particle effects compared with High.
These differences are described in NVIDIA’s Mafia II APEX PhysX guide.
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| Setting | What the sources establish | Processing and performance notes |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Reduced-detail, reduced-realism PhysX effects remain; Off does not remove every physics effect. | NVIDIA advises turning APEX PhysX off if the system is unsuitable for it. |
| Medium | Adds APEX clothing, debris, and particle effects. Clothing is described as identical to High; particle effects are reduced versus High. | Uses CPU and a suitable NVIDIA GPU, according to NVIDIA. |
| High | Includes the more detailed particle effects compared with Medium. | Uses CPU and a suitable NVIDIA GPU, according to NVIDIA; the setting can be demanding. |
NVIDIA says particle and debris effects run on the GPU when a suitable NVIDIA GPU is present; without one, they are processed on the CPU. Clothing is a separate bottleneck: it remains CPU-processed unless a second PhysX-capable NVIDIA GPU is dedicated to PhysX. NVIDIA warns that clothing effects can be especially demanding in scenes with multiple people.
#1 Best Overall
- Players will be immersed in the Golden Era of America as Mafia II features tracks from some of the era's most influential artists
- Through strong, authentic characterization and compelling narrative, the mature storyline will make you understand the pull and impossible escape of life in the Mob
- Take part in car-to-car gunfights, hand-to-hand combat and gunplay, forming an intense and exciting experience
- 2K Czech's next-generation engine, allows gamers to travel from outdoor environments to intricately designed interiors without the need for loading times
- 2K Czech's next-generation engine, allows gamers to travel from outdoor environments to intricately designed interiors without the need for loading times
What did period benchmarks find?
TechSpot published its Mafia II performance review on August 31, 2010. It tested 23 graphics-card configurations at high quality, used the game’s built-in benchmark, repeated each test three times, and recorded average frame rates. For tests identified as PhysX-enabled, it set PhysX to High. TechSpot described the built-in benchmark as a worst-case scenario.
| 2010 test result | Condition | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 480 | 1680×1050, anti-aliasing enabled; PhysX Off versus On | 70 fps Off; 42 fps On, a 40% reduction |
| GeForce GTX 470 | PhysX On in TechSpot’s benchmark | 38 fps |
| GeForce GTX 460 | PhysX On in TechSpot’s benchmark | 33 fps |
| GeForce GTX 285 | PhysX On in TechSpot’s benchmark | 30 fps |
| Tested AMD cards | PhysX processing handled by the CPU on TechSpot’s overclocked Core i7-920 system | About 20 fps |
These figures come from TechSpot’s benchmark results and test methodology. They are measurements of that test setup and game benchmark, not estimates for current systems or a direct comparison with modern GPUs.
Rank #2
- Includes all of the downloadable content available for the standard edition, adding more than double the original gameplay. Featuring new storylines, new playable characters, and new city-based quests with leaderboard challenges.
- Players will be immersed in the Golden Era of America as Mafia II features tracks from some of the era's most influential artists
- Through strong, authentic characterization and compelling narrative, the mature storyline will make you understand the pull and impossible escape of life in the Mob
- Take part in car-to-car gunfights, hand-to-hand combat and gunplay, forming an intense and exciting experience
- 2K Czech's next-generation engine, allows gamers to travel from outdoor environments to intricately designed interiors without the need for loading times
Did a second GPU help in the old tests?
In a separate 2010 test, TechSpot used a dedicated GeForce GTX 460 to process PhysX. It reported a 24% increase for its GTX 480 result, while the GTX 470 result rose from 38 fps to 47 fps. TechSpot noted that its AMD-plus-GeForce arrangement typically did not work without a software mod. Those results describe a period-hardware configuration, not a general reason to buy or install a second graphics card today. See TechSpot’s dedicated-PhysX-GPU results.
What hardware did the original requirements list?
2K Support’s PC requirements page was published March 16, 2011 and updated September 3, 2025. It separates the original PC game requirements from its APEX PhysX tiers. The listed models and driver references are historical requirements, not a guide to choosing a modern GPU.
Rank #3
| APEX tier | 2K-listed minimum | 2K-listed recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Medium | GTX 260 or better for graphics; dedicated NVIDIA 9800 GTX or better for PhysX | GTX 470 or better for graphics |
| High | GTX 470 or better for graphics; dedicated NVIDIA 9800 GTX or better for PhysX | GTX 480 for graphics; dedicated GTX 285 or better for PhysX |
The Steam-hosted PC readme gives somewhat different legacy thresholds, including a GT 240 for one Medium tier and a GTX 460 for the High graphics minimum. These records should not be blended into a single current compatibility claim. The historical lists are available from 2K Support and the Steam-hosted PC readme.
NVIDIA’s PhysX System Software 9.10.0513 page dates that release to August 11, 2010. It lists support for GeForce 8-, 9-, 100-, 200-, 300-, and 400-series GPUs subject to minimum memory and CUDA-core requirements, and notes Mafia 2 bug fixes. That release information is historical, not a current driver recommendation: NVIDIA PhysX System Software 9.10.0513.
Rank #4
- Golden-era Drama: Inspired by iconic mafia dramas, be immersed in the allure and impossible escape of life as a wise guy in the Mafia.
- Empire Bay, NY: Post-World War 2 Empire Bay, NY, a city sprawling with opportunity and where organized crime thrives on the booming industries of post-war America.
- The Complete & Remastered Favorite: For the first-time ever experience the Mafia II crime drama all in one package and presented in stunning HD detail.
- Own Mafia II: Definitive Edition to unlock Vito’s Leather Jacket and Car in both Mafia and Mafia III Definitive Editions.
How should you adjust PhysX today?
- Start with the visual trade-off. Try Medium if you want APEX effects with fewer particles than High. Choose Off if performance is poor or the effects are not worth the cost.
- Change one setting at a time. Compare the same scene or repeatable section after changing PhysX so that the difference is easier to judge.
- If performance remains poor, lower other settings too. The Steam-hosted PC readme advises lowering resolution and/or graphics and PhysX settings when performance is poor.
- Do not use the old GPU lists as purchase advice. Neither the legacy requirements nor TechSpot’s measurements establish which current GPU and driver combinations accelerate every available Mafia II PC version reliably.
NVIDIA’s original settings guide puts the choice plainly: “Ultimately, if your hardware is not suitable for running Mafia 2 with APEX PhysX, then turn it Off.”
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Start out as a hitman, enforcer or getaway driver -- you'll have to complete missions to earn the respect of other mobsters, plus Don Salieri himself
- Deal with rival Morello family while controlling your rackets -- see if you can run all the gambling, extortion, smuggling and prostitution in the city of Lost Heaven
- You'll need patience, skill and accuracy with a Tommy Gun as you fight your way through 20 dangerous missions
- High-speed car chases, bootlegging, assassinations, bank robberies and more -- you'll have to do it all and avoid getting caught by John Law
- Just remember, your actions have consequences -- don't hit any innocent people unless you want heat from the cops, and don't cross Don Salieri unless you want to wear cement shoes!
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