whats with the different looking video cards?

The Difference in the slots, the Nvidia with two slots will run on a 2X-4X slot and a 4X-8X slot. The ATI will only run on a 4X-8X slot
 
StrangleHold said:
The Difference in the slots, the Nvidia with two slots will run on a 2X-4X slot and a 4X-8X slot. The ATI will only run on a 4X-8X slot
Click to expand...

Not according to the specifications seen at newegg. BrandeVGAModel256-A8-N313-LXInterfaceInterfaceAGP 4X/8XChipsetChipset ManufacturerNVIDIAGPUGeforce FX5500Core clock270MHz
:confused:
 
The AGP 3.0 specification retains backwards compatibility with older AGP 4x technology. All NVIDIA Geforce and Quadro GPU's which support AGP 8x mode are downwards compatible with AGP 4x motherboards. When a graphics card which operates at AGP 8x mode is installed on a motherboard which only supports up to AGP 4x mode, the card will automatically switch to AGP 4x operation.

Thats what the extra slot is for in the front so it will fit on a 2X-4X older board
 
Last edited:
AGP Connector and Slot Keying

AGP connectors and slots are physically keyed to specify the signalling voltages the device is capable of operating at. AGP specifies two keys, a 3.3V key and a 1.5V key. Unfortunately they added a third voltage, 0.8V. If a device operates at 0.8V it uses the 1.5V key and must be tolerant of 1.5V signalling, but not necessarily capable of operating at 1.5V. A key is manifested as a raised area in a female connector or slot and a gap or absence of pins in a male connector. The keys physically prevent an electrically incompatible AGP video card from being inserted into an AGP slot.
If a device has the 1.5V key and claims operation at 8x speed you know that it is capable of 0.8V operation.
agpuniv.jpg
 
The older 2X-4X boards had 3.3 volt slot, so now they only put the front slot on cards that are backward comp. to the older 2X-4X 3.3 volt AGP slots
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top