4X AGP and 8X AGP...What's the difference?

[pyrate83]

If I have a 4X AGP graphics card in my system right now and I wanted to upgrade the card a year or so down the road....does my next card have to be a 4X AGP or can I go to an 8X??? Can someone explain the differences for me as I am still learning this stuff. :P

[Northstar]

Its all about how much data can be pushed accross the bus, obviously 8x is better but in reality there isnt a lot of difference between them, and not all motherboards (older) can do it, but an 8x gfx card will work happily in a 4x agp slot.

Your best bet is www.google.com for more information than i could ever offer.

[pyrate83]

Thanks Northstar...I'll research it there.

[rallynavvie]

IIRC nothing utilizes 8x AGP yet so for the now it isn't going to do anything. Your motherboard would have to support AGP 8x in order for it to be used at all, but as stated before an 8x card should work in a 4x slot.

But then all this is rubbish since PCI-X will be faster than AGP 8x anyway :P

[VideoTechMan]

There are motherboards out now that does support 8X AGP cards...i have one made by MSI. Only thing is that some motherboards are picky with the voltage requirements, so you have to watch the requirements closely or else the MB can be damaged.

VTM

[pbhalerao]

For h/w comparisons and an in-depth analysis, I highly recommend:

Tom's Hardware Guide

Perhaps Baldrik can add it to the "useful Links" section.