AGP

[bluedanube]

Where do I install an AGP video card?

[Bovon]

In the AGP slot on the motherboard.

[Cruez]

Instead of a PCI slot.;)

[Mr.Goodbytes]

If you have one, it will be the slot closest to your processor. Instead of being white or black in color, it will be brown, and it will also be set back further from the edge of the board than the white PCI slots are.

[bluedanube]

My computer has only one slot available, which is pci. How do I select a pci so that it is as good as( or better) an agp card? Is there anyway to tell?

[Bovon]

Correct me somebody if I'm wrong here but I believe an AGP video card is 64 bit?...and a PCI is 32 bit?..if I am correct, then a AGP video card will (or should) out perform a PCI video card due to the information that can be used in any period of time.

[RedSun]

I have read a little about the differences between AGP and PCI. I have found there to be negligable differences. I don't think they have the technology to fully use the AGP slot.

Just My 2 cents

[MistralBurn]

One major difference between AGP and PCI, is that AGP has direct access to system RAM, should it ever run out of it's own supply of RAM. But anywayz, back to the problem at hand. If you need a quick fix for a video card, and don't have an AGP slot. I would recommend a Voodoo3 PCI card. They're kinda cheap (haven't checked prices lately so you may want to do some research;)), have 16 MB of VRAM and it should hold you over. But I personally don't think they're cheap enough for this function. I bought my GeForce2 MX 200 for only $100. You might want to consider getting a new motherboard, it'll be better in the long run.

[Hellmund]

Actually Bovon AGP slot are 32bit;)
It's just runs at 66mhz instead of PCI's 33mhz. There are also other extensions to it like sideband......Remember reading this a few years ago (http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/97q3/970805/index.html), be worth your time;)

[Mr.Goodbytes]

It will probably take at least until NT 5 and Memphis are released until there will be a really visible performance boost from AGP.

Ohhh, that brings back memories. It's been a really long time since I had heard Windows 98 referred to as Memphis. And NT 5, that was just funny. It sat in development stages for so many years, that Microsoft had to change the name from NT 5 to Windows 2000 because it took too long, and that's when it was going to come out.

[DanU]

As long as there is enough memory on the video card to store the textures, you won't notice any performance difference between a PCI and AGP card. I would go for a 64MB card if possible. Probably the best PCI video card you can get right now is a GF2 MX400 PCI w/64MB. It will set you back by about $80.