Via PT880 PRO: AGP 8x *and* PCI-e graphics

[cleeve]

Some of you may remember I've been excited about Via's claim that they will come out with a fully AGP 8x and PCI-e motherboard... to me this represents the holy grail of upgrading as I could keep my current AGP graphics card when I upgrade my platform while retaining the ability to buy a PCI-e graphics card later...

Well, they have, with no performance decrease from using either the AGP or PCI-e graphics slots:

<A HREF="http://www6.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20050131/index.html" target="_new">http://www6.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20050131/index.html</A>

The only problem is, this is the P4 version. When they get around to making an Athlon64 chipset like this, that's the mobo I'll be upgrading to...

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9700 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 332/345)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>3200+</b></font color=red> <i>(Barton 2500+ o/c 400 FSB)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>5,354</b>

 

[johnnyinternet]

you have any idea how long that may take? cause i want one.

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

 

[cleeve]

I dunno. but if they've reviewed an actual board, I'd guess the 3 month timeframe.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9700 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 332/345)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>3200+</b></font color=red> <i>(Barton 2500+ o/c 400 FSB)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>5,354</b>

 

[pauldh]

I am not crazy about via, but not set against them by any means. I agree that this would be a nice mobo to have. Not only for upgrading over time, but also I could run benchies comparing a new PCI-e upgrade to all my other AGP cards. Fun, Fun. I'd actually rather have an AGP/PCI-e mobo than a SLI mobo, assuming they perform about equal with say a single X800XL in them.


<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=3400555" target="_new"> My</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=8268935" target="_new">Gamer</A>

 

[Unolocogringo]

Seems there were a review or Preview about a month ago. Was a hack on the PCI(not-E) bus with low performance. MAYBE they fixed it????VIA NAH!!!
.
Make sure you read some real revievs before pre ordering.

I aint signing nothing!!!

 

[eden]

That wasn't the same product nor chipset IIRC, it was a trick ECS came up with. This one is authentic though, from VIA, therefore on the chipset.

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The <b><A HREF="http://snipurl.com/bl3t" target="_new"><font color=red>THGC Photo Album</font color=red></A></b>, send in your pics, get your own webpage and view other members' sites.

 

[cleeve]

Yep, Eden's right. You're thinking of ECS's workaround solution Rick.

The VIA board is true full AGP & PCI-e in one board, with no performance penalty. Check the benchmarks in the review link above.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9700 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 332/345)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>3200+</b></font color=red> <i>(Barton 2500+ o/c 400 FSB)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>5,354</b>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

What was that you were looking for?

<A HREF="http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/attachments/m1695_wscb.jpg?sid=sFBv5APf" target="_new">ULI have to refresh my memory</A>


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

 

[Unolocogringo]

OK my bad.
Didn't want someone to end up with a bum board. Better cautios than sorry.

I aint signing nothing!!!

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Here's Biostar with an nForce4 solution with AGP+PCIe;

<A HREF="http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=310141" target="_new">http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=310141</A>

Probably, using something like the Gigabyte G.E.A.R. solution, but dunno.

Seems like alot of people are seeing an opportunity in the late adopters wanting AGP+PCIe. Hopefully the offshoot will be more PCIe equipped MoBos in the market even if they aren't exclusively PCIe.


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

 

[cleeve]

Hmmmm.... well, if it performs with either slot, it's on my to buy list...

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9700 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 332/345)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>3200+</b></font color=red> <i>(Barton 2500+ o/c 400 FSB)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>5,354</b>