Using an AGP 8x card on an AGP 4x bus

[Kengo]

Is there any point getting a really nice graphics card on a computer that only has an AGP 4x bus? Obviously the bandwidth will be less, but will the other benefits of having the new card make up for the slower bandwidth, or is it just a waste of money?

I currently have a geForce FX 5200 (running at 4x, of course), and am trying to figure out if it is worth it to upgrade it to a 7800.

Thanks!

-- Ken

 

[cleeve]

The 4x AGP bus really doesn't limit a videocard much. 8x AGP doesn't make a huge difference.

Still, it's probably not worth it upgrading to any 7800 GS (except maybe Gainwards if they're out yet; gainward has the only truly powerful 7800 GS out there) - mostly because they're around $300, too much to invest in an older platform when you might be better off saving that money for a PCI-express upgrade.

If you're coming from a 5200 in AGP, you should look for a sub-$200 card like an X800 GTO or 6800 GS. Either would make a HUGE difference in performance over your 5200. Night & day.

 

[PX7800GT]

Its OK , You Can Use An AGP 8X Graphic Card On An AGP 4X MainBoard !!
I Agree With Cleeve , Dont Spend Your Money On The 7800GS ...
In My Oponion You Can Do One Of These Options :
1- Spend A Little More Money & By A PCI-E MotherBoard And Then Get A 6600GT ...
2- If You Wish To Upgrade Your Graphic Card Only ... Search For ATI Radeon X800XL Or X800XT Or X850XT PE ... If You Are A nVIDIA Boy Then Go Get A GeForce 6800GS ... But An ATI Radeon X800XT Is Highly Recommanded !! :twisted:

 

[Kengo]

At risk of sounding stupid, is the x800 you guys are talking about an "ATI All-in-Wonder X800 XT Video Card"?

I had always thought Radeons were their gaming cards, not all-in-wonder's. But then again, I'm an nVidia guy, so what the &^%$ do I know?!

 

[choknuti]

It is the same with some extras (tv-tuner hardware video decoding and encoding). For gaming there shouldn’t be a difference between the 2.

Someone told me that it can be found cheaper than the 800XT (go figure 8O ) so if you find one cheap it is a great buy.

 

[LazyGarfield]

"All in wonder cards" where always slower than theyr normal pedant.

They are mostly running on lower chip-speeds.

 

[choknuti]

True.

Not true

AIW cards have lower speeds plus a TV Tuner. I would only recommend AIW if you need a TV Tuner with a card.

Maybe this was true for older All-in wonders but not so for the AGP 800XT

They both run at a 500/500 core/memory frequency. Besides the All in wonder uses 1.6 nc ram verses 2.0nc ram in the x800xt so it should be a better overclocker.

I have to admit that I could be wrong as I’m just stating the specs. Only a real life test would prove the truth of the matter but I don’t see why the all in wonder should perform worse than the 800xt since they use the same core and operate at the same speeds. :twisted:

 

[Crashman]

All lies, AIW 9600 Pro ran at 400/330 (DDR660) where the 9600 Pro ran 400/300. AIW X800XT uses the same speeds as the standard X800XT, but assures you'll get the 1.6ns RAM.

AIW X1800XL is a real X1800XL. AIW X1900 is slower than an X1900XL, but you don't see "XL" in the title, now do you?

ATI hasn't crippled their All-In-Wonder cards for years, when compared to the standard version of the same model. As for when there isn't a standard version of that model, well, you can't compare something that doesn't exist.