How can "AGP Aperture size" help my video card

[darbykidd]

In my bios I have an option to set the "AGP Aperture Size" which is "the amount of system memory that the AGP card is allowed to share. The options available are 4M, 8M, 16M, 32M, 64M, 128M, 256M." this is what my mobo manual says.

I currently only have an 8 meg video card, andI've set this to the maximum of 256 meg. (I have 384 megs of RAM). I still can't play games that require a 16 meg card. Why not? If it won't help this what does it do? I don't know much about video cards. thanks

[Brian48]

You need a new video card. If the game(s) requires 16mb of on-board video memory to initiate, then you NEED a video card with 16mb of RAM. Setting the AGP aperature size will not help you. All that will do is set the MAX memory hole that your AGP card can use (ie. texture loading/swapping). It does not replace the minimum it requires before hand to get started.

[ragtop]

Darbykidd:
Brian 48 is right - changing that setting won't improve your performance on an older card like you have. On the other hand, I just learned a lesson about how the arperature setting affects the new high end cards. I got a new GeForce 3 card, and it performed like **** until I increased that setting from 64 to 128. I always set it at 64 in the past, and it worked perfect with my GF2 mx400, but not with the new card.

[Silan]

Some tech guy at a local computer store told me a couple years ago that you should set the aperture size to double your video card memory for best performance(seemed logical a couple years ago until i found out what it is really for):). In your case you would need a new card with at least 16mb to run a game that requires that much.

[darbykidd]

Ok. Thanks guys for the input. Next question is what size video card would you recommend. Should I get a 64 meg or will I notice much difference from a 32 meg on my older system? (thinking about a Geforce 2 MX 400 or GTS card)

I currently have a:
ATI RAGE IIC 8 meg (AGP)
AMD k6-3+ 450 (I'm gonna overclock it to around 600mhz soon)
EPOX MVP3G5
384 Meg Ram
Maxtor 40gig hd
WIN 98SE

THanks again.

[Silan]

The more memory the better i always say. :)

Still though, your system might hold you back some.