AGP vs PCI Express?
I have a little extra cash and looking to build a new system. I'm wanting to get the best system I can that will last me a while before I need to upgrade. I was looking at this CPU/mobo combo (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...-240418&ps=ho2), and thought it looked like a really good deal. I then noticed the mobo doesn't have a AGP slot. Instead, it has two PCI Express slots, recommending the use of two 6600gts. I looked up the 6600gt, and found it is available in both AGP and PCI Express.
What i'm wondering is what exactly is the differance? Which is better? Dual PCI Express, or a single AGP? I'd never heard of PCI Express video cards untill now. I was wanting to get the Radeon x800 Pro 256mb video card, but thats AGP. Would I be better off finding a differant mobo that supports AGP, or this one and get the PCI Express cards? Really the only thing that attracted me to this combo set was that 64 bit processor. I probably don't NEED a 64 bit, but I have the cash and thought it'd be good for bragging rights ;) I also like combo sets like this because I have a hard time matching up a processor and mobo. |
That motherboard supports SLI, which allows you to use 2 video cards at once, increasing performance. PCI-E is the future, and it does offer more bandwidth when compared to AGP. If you want to use SLI, you will need to pay for 2 video cards. The x800Pro comes in a PCI-E variant as well, so you could just pop one of them in there. You don't need to use both PCI-E slots. PCI-E is meant for expansion cards in general, while AGP is video only.
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Thanks for the response, bubbagump. It's clearer to me now. I'm also glad to hear the x800Pro comes in PCI-E as well.
So if I'm looking to get the best-of-the-best, I should definitly go for the PCI-E? Right now all I'll be able to afford is one x800Pro, but eventually I could add a second x800Pro (or something better) in there and get twice the performance? :D That sounds great. |
SLI is only compatible with NVIDIA's PCI-Express cards right now, but I've heard that ATI is working on something similar.
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Todd, this is a good technology primer for PC bus architecture and the effects of PCIe (p.k.a. 3GIO).
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paed...are/pcie.ars/1 If you're already familiar with the basics jump to page 4. |
Theoretically, PCI-E has a huge advantage over AGP in terms of technology. As of now, PCI-E technology isn't helping out videocards much at all. It will in the future, but right now, AGP videocards perform just as well. You could buy an AGP or PCI-E motherboard and be fine. And I suggest the GeForce 6800 GT over the X800 Pro if you're gonna go the AGP route.
-Lasereth |
I hear that the x800 XL is a good card that beats out the 6800 Ultra, and it's only 300 dollars.
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-Lasereth |
Well, I'm just relying on what this website says: http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid...e=expert&pid=3
I'm not an expert on the topic, and I definately don't have the funds or the desire to test them out, just passing along what I read. |
the x800XL out performs that of the x800 and the 6800's. It's not out as of yet and it's only available in PCI-E form. http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2299
I just bought an x800pro.. this card rules. I've been a loyal nvidia customer ever since the 3dfx takeover. I was hoping and hoping they'd bring glide back but they never did. I am running HL2 at 1600x1200 with AA at 4x and AF at 8x and I get anywhere from 30-60fps and the game looks amazing. I bought it for 360 bucks and it was well worth the price. the 6800 was more expensive. I was going to go the PCI-E route except until the CPU's double or tripple in speed SLI does me no good. http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...123/index.html |
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On the second page, the X800 XL card that you're talking about is compared to the 6800 GT. They're pretty close, just like I said. I still remain correct, however -- the X800 XL is nothing compared to the 6800 Ultra. It's not supposed to be at $300. -Lasereth |
oh, I misread that earier. yeah the ultra will beat out the x800 xl, and the x800 pro. but there not even in the same class really.. the ultra would compare to the xt series.
but for the dollar/fps i'd go with either the x800xl if i were on pci-e or the x800 pro for agp. I wouldnt spend 500-600 bucks on an ultra for an extra 10-15 fps tops on on of the xt's or ultra's. i'm running hl2 with full settings at 1600x1200 and i get anywhere from 30-60 fps depending on where i'm at in a given map. it looks amazing. |
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Just as a side note, 5 years ago the idea that a video card was only $300.00 woud have made me faint. No wait it still does..... |
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