Are AGP x8 cards backwards compatible for AGP x4 slots?

[wUgamBinOs]

I want to upgrade the gfx card on my old desktop to make last a few months longer but I only have a AGP x4 slot (keyed for 1.5v) on my mobo (it's an Asus A7N266-VM (google these keywords it to find a manual for it: "asus a7n266-vm motherboard manual" ).

So my question is, will I be able to install a AGP x8 gfx card in my mobo so long as it is keyed for 1.5v?

Problems I have thought of is due to the interface of the port being slower than the card, the channel speed will obviously slow down the speed of the AGP x4 port (266MHz). Also if AGP x8 cards are actually made keyed for 1.5v.

Many thanks to any replies!

[Pob255]

I seem to remember yes, the card will just run at the slower speed.
main worry is the shape of the slot.
agp x2 had a spacer a third of the way towards the front of the card socket
agp x8 had a spacer a third of the way towards the back of the card socket

now I know agp x4 cards have two gaps is them so they cad be used in both x2 and x8 mother boards.
Not sure what the socket on a agp x4 is like . . .

HAd a look it's toward the rear should be fine with an agp x8 card

[DDY]

The key holes are to stop 3.3v cards being used on 1.5 slots and vice versa, it doesn't discriminate against the speed of the slot or card.

AGP 8X cards will work on 4x boards as long as it's the same voltage. (most if not all 4x and 8x cards/boards are 1.5V compatible anyway)

[wUgamBinOs]

Wicked, cheers dudes . If anyone else has any info. on this before I go and order one that'd be great! It's just a shame selling sites don't include the voltage of the gfx cards, o well...

[Agent]

Its all about the voltage

See : Accelerated Graphics Port - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for pics (near the bottom)

[DDY]

It's just a shame selling sites don't include the voltage of the gfx cards, o well...

That's because there are no such things as 3.3V AGP 8X cards, they have never been produced. There are however some AGP 8X cards that work on 3.3V motherboards (they also work on 1.5V and 0.8V).

1.5V really became the norm since 4x cards, 8X cards normally run on 0.8V but are backwards compatible with 1.5V.

[wUgamBinOs]

Sweet, I'll can once again be able to run games on my computer! Thanks for the help doods.

[watforddude]

From what i can remember it should do, on my old old old computer it had a Geforce 2, my mate was throwing away a 7600 so i thought its better than nothing, i cant remember but my computer was x4 and ran the 7600 perfectly which is times 8, but also another problem i had was the PSU what card are you planning to upgrade to?

[Pob255]

Good point watforddude, replaceing the graphics card can mean a big increase in power draw, esp on the +12v
What are you planning on putting in there and what's your psu rated as?

[watforddude]

Well yeah if a computer that came with a Geforce 2, obviously wouldnt have the power to power something a lot lot...lot lot more power hungry. but cant moan about the Geforce 2 at the time it came out ;]

[wUgamBinOs]

Well I'm not sure yet, I've just started looking around. As places like Scan and Dabs still sell AGP cards I'll probably buy one off there for around £40-£60 rather than risking it with ebay. However my PSU is a shocking 300W .

If anyone knows of a good AGP gfx card for around £40 to £60 (could be pushed to £80) ($80 to $120) that'd be great. I'd prefer 512mb of dedicated memory to make it last a while longer.

[cougarslam]

what spec is the rest of your system?

[wUgamBinOs]

what spec is the rest of your system?

• 2 Ghz athlon xp cpu
• 1gb of ddr ram
• dvd + writable drive, maxtor 80gb hdd

......not

[watforddude]

this should do the job....Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

its cheep aswell but should play most games but not some of the new ones ect crysis and simlier types... hope was a help. but problem with the GS it dies at higher res's.

[wUgamBinOs]

I have been hunting around loads and I found this one which seems a really good spec for the price: Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
It's a little over budget but I wouldn't mind playin bf2142 on my comp . Any knowledge, first hand experience or views of this card or GPU from anyone would be much appreciated!

[watforddude]

Yet again your 300 Watt PSU run's into trouble here...ATI recomends "decent" 400/450 Watt PSU...but if your willing to buy a new PSU and a New Graphics card at the same time you might aswell go for this

for the PSU nothing to big but will do the job..Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

and for the GFX card..i assume you want to game with it ive gone some reviews on the AGP cards scan sell for ATI and Nvdia..

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK which i mentioned before..

and

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK with this you could play most of the newish games..but its waaaaay over your budge so the next best thing is

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK quid.
and you would would deffently be able to play BF2142 with this and proberly anything like it.

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK but really not worth it if you want to game.