Shared AGP (on-board)

[dcody]

Is this type of system any good? Would It limit upgradability if you wanted to add a better video card later?

[RobRich]

I personally would avoid this setup. Onboard AGP video is really no faster than true expansion cards. Usually they are slower because m/b manufacturers rarely put top of the line video chipsets with their boards (they opt for cheap, outdated tech, such as the i740). While the onboard video can usually be disabled, this is just a waste of money. You be a lot happier with a good m/b and a dedicated video card like the v3 ot the TNT-2.

[Peter M]

Hi!

In general, the AGP bus can drive only one device.

This means that if you have an onboard separate AGP graphics chip, or an AGP unit embedded into the chipset (like on current SiS 530 and 620, VIA MVP4 and some future Intel low-end chipset), then you cannot have an AGP slot at the same time. Upgrades are limited to PCI.

If you are considering such a system then you should be somewhat sure that the onboard graphics suit your needs, or at least your 2D needs with the option of adding a Voodoo board later if you find the onboard 3D less amusing.

Regards, Peter

[MrEd]

I'd also stay away from onboard AGP and Sound for that matter. Simply, if anything bad were to happen to that onboard card, then instead of getting a new Card, you have to replace the entire motherboard, and that can be a real mess if you don't know how to do that.

[GIMOER]

From the replies I've read most of them don't seem to have much experience with onboard AGP.I've used onboard VGA on PCI and AGP mboards it works fine even some of the shared system memory setups.Of course if you're looking to impress your friends with your Quake1&2 demo stats it's not the way to go.But as long you buy one that can disable the onboard VGA you can upgrade later.I have run 2 AGP onboard one shared one not and they work as good as you're average video card.

[RobRich]

That's part of the prob, "they work as good as your average video card." The average video cards in most current shared AGP systems are the Savage 3D, Intel i740, Riva 128, or Ati Rage Pro (some use even older chips, like Trident 9000 series and Ciruus Logic 54xx chips). These WERE decent chipsets, but they lack the power needed for today's games and apps. I've tested a lot of shared-bus systems in the past, and my experiences were not great, mainly impart to aging graphic procesors. I might change my opinion since 3dfx's v3 2000 is going to show up as local bus video on new m/b's soon, but there you are still stuck with an entry level card. Most local bus m/b's also lack an external AGP port, a must for latter upgrading. PCI is really not upgrading, now is it?! Get a decent m/b, and a newer video card, like the v3 3500, TNT-2, or Rage Fury.