What is AGP Pro? (ECS K7S5A, Motherboard)

[CyberData4]

Hiya all, I was sitting at my desk just browsing the net when it occured to me that I never updated my motherboard drivers. During my quest to accomplish this task I ran across an article about my motherboard (ECS K7S5A).
What caught my interest was the following:

"The AGP slot is for 4x compatible but is not AGP Pro compatible. This really isn’t an issue now though as I have yet to see an AGP Pro card, ever."

What concerns me is I plan to get a Radeon 9800 Pro on wednesday, it's already been ordered. Since my card has the word pro on it and it does attach to my AGP slot, will it not work since my motherboard is not "AGP Pro" compatible? Man, I hope this is just my lack of computer knowledge getting the best of me.

 

[jvchacon]

Okay Here's the scoop that I'm aware of.

I've only seen a couple AGP Pro cards out there.

Merely because your card is a 9800 Pro doesn't fall into this category. I'm speaking off of limited experience here, I'm still learning a bit here and there myself. But from what I do know the 9800 Pro is an AGP 8x card. So I don't think you have to worry about it not fitting. It oughta slide right in the socket without a problem.

The only thing I'd have to wonder if I were you, is if your (A) if your board can handle the AGP 8x board, and if not can the graphics card itself conform to bein' 4x?

Personally, from what I know, it might not be a problem for you.

 

[GeneticWeapon]

Your K7S5A uses an SIS 735 chipset. On the SIS website they have a new AGP 115 driver and an IDE utility that will make sure your drives are running in the fastest DMA mode possible. I have the same mobo.

My score....<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6258104" target="_new">http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6258104</A>

 

[CyberData4]

Could you send a link to where I can download those drivers?

 

[Crashman]

Don't be confused, the 9800 Pro is not an "AGP Pro" card, nor is the 9700 Pro, 9500 Pro, etc. It's just a name they used. The "AGP Pro" slot is only used by high end graphics workstation cards, not gaming machines.

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>

 

[GeneticWeapon]

You dont need a link, just go to SiS.com and download them.

My score....<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6258104" target="_new">http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6258104</A>

 

[CyberData4]

Cool, I downloaded them both (I think). AGP115.exe? and ide203.zip?

 

[GeneticWeapon]

Thats them!

My score....<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6258104" target="_new">http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6258104</A>

 

[CyberData4]

Thanks man.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Ok first thing first a 9800pro is a 4X/8X card so no problem there. Second you can use that in any AGP pro slot.

As for AGP pro, there are two standards that I know of, AGP-Pro50 and AGP-Pro110. The number represent the watts that the slots handle (a regular AGP slot handles 35 W max. I think) There are also 2 formats for those with 4X and 8X support. I believe most newer mobos run both in 8X (AGP-Pro 3.0) but I'm not sure, it may just be the 110s.

Now you can use an AGP 4X card in an AGP-pro slot but not vice versa. AGP pro cards like the Quadro, FireGL, and Wildcat cards draw too much power for a regular AGP slot. Some card maker like ATI make proffesional cards that run on universal AGP slots 4X/8x. The FireGL X1-128 for example is availible in both styles, but the 256 mb version can ONLY run on the AGP pro slot.
I am currently running an ATI 9000 non-pro in my work rig (Asus A7m266) in the AGP-Pro50 slot (4X only).

So if your mobo has an AGP-Pro slot (it should look longer than your average/regular slot) then you are ok, and can use any top graphics card without trouble. What you may not be able to do is run 'proffesional' cards since your drivers or what not doesn't support it (although I don't know where the problem would be except maybe power draw). However because it has PRO in the name doesn't make it an AGP-Pro card.

<A HREF="http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20000922/agppro-01.html" target="_new">Here's a basic description from Tom's</A>

<A HREF="http://www.supermicro.com/TECHSUPPORT/FAQs/AGP_Pro.htm" target="_new">A Good Picture of the AGPPro Card Pins/Slot</A>

<A HREF="http://www.motherboards.org/articlesd/tech-planations/920_2.html" target="_new">Another good Reference</A>

Anywhoo, that should explain it well enough, but in short, you should be fine!

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK