AGP Not Yet Dead Says Gigabyte

By Tuan An Nguyen
published

It's always good and fun to have the latest hardware, especially when it comes to graphics. But what if you're on an aging AGP system?

All the latest graphics card solutions are on the PCI-Express interconnect. Superior bandwidth equates to superior performance and features. But not everyone can upgrade their computer all the time. Given that, the AGP port is growing long in the tooth, but there's no denying that many AGP systems still exist.

To cater to these users, who may have built their dream system or invested a lot of money when AGP was the best available graphics connect, Gigabyte unveiled an AGP version of its Radeon HD 4650 solution, called the GV-R465D2-1GI.

With this particular card, AGP users can get a big boost out of their graphics subsystem, thanks not only to the recent generation GPU, but also to the board boasting 1 GB of memory and support for DX10.1. The board is compatible with AGP 8X and Gigabyte claims CorssFireX support, but we're not quite convinced this is a feature that will work, considering there aren't any dual-AGP systems. However, the most obvious indicator that this may be an error by Gigabyte is the lack of a CrossFire bridge connector on the card.

Despite the odd CrossFireX spec, the Gigabyte GV-R465D2-1GI does deliver a good upgrade for those still on AGP systems.

[Edited: Originally reported that there aren't any hybrid AGP/PCI-Express motherboards. There are some, but few.]

Tuan An Nguyen
83 Comments Comment from the forums
  • tenor77
    How many builds has it been since I stopped using AGP? 3 or 4 I think?

    No, it's dead. Even if you used this card, what are the odds you wouldn't hit a massive bottleneck on the processor and memory?
    Reply
  • Kill@dor
    I don't doubt that crossfire will work on AGP because i have heard of some boards mixing AGP 8x with PCI-E slots to make Crossfire... I'm sure it doesn't look pretty tho LOL
    Reply
  • chripuck
    tenor77How many builds has it been since I stopped using AGP? 3 or 4 I think?No, it's dead. Even if you used this card, what are the odds you wouldn't hit a massive bottleneck on the processor and memory?
    I call BS.

    You've made 3 or 4 systems since the advent of PCIe? If that's true you have more money than common sense. The first native PCIe card was the GeForce 7 series which didn't come out until late 2005/early 2006. So you've been averaging an entirely new system every year?
    Reply
  • captaincharisma
    How many builds has it been since I stopped using AGP? 3 or 4 I think?No, it's dead. Even if you used this card, what are the odds you wouldn't hit a massive bottleneck on the processor and memory?

    i guess this kid has rich parents that spoil him to death LOL
    Reply
  • tenor77
    I call BS.

    Umm okay I'm not sure why you'd think I'd lie about that. I like building computers.
    Reply
  • tenor77
    captaincharismai guess this kid has rich parents that spoil him to death LOL
    No, I'm the dad that spoils his kids. I have a job
    Reply
  • jerther
    $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!
    I bet this thing will cost WAY too much for what an AGP system's worth
    Reply
  • seboj
    chripuckI call BS.You've made 3 or 4 systems since the advent of PCIe? If that's true you have more money than common sense. The first native PCIe card was the GeForce 7 series which didn't come out until late 2005/early 2006. So you've been averaging an entirely new system every year?
    I fail to see why you're jumping a guy for having a new build every year. If he has the money, and likes computers, let him do what he wants.

    It just makes you sound like a jealous douchebag, to be honest.
    Reply
  • wonderingwhatis
    Wow what a stupid argument. Who cares how many systems he has build since AGP has gone the way of the dodo. Many people replace their systems annually and some more often.
    I've built 2 since my old 6800OC.


    Reply
  • More to the point, aren't there faster AGP cards out there right now? Wouldn't the 3850 AGP be a bit faster? (and yes, a lot warmer)
    Reply