PCI-Express

[banger298]

what the diffance between PCI-Express (intel boards )and AGPx8 because thinking of making a intel pc just for fun to see how good they realy are,or are not

[studtrooper]

PCI-Express is now available for Athlon 64 boards in case you didn't know. As for the difference, there is ZERO difference between PCI-express and AGP versions of the same cards at this moment. Soon, when graphics card makers hit the AGP 8x wall, PCI-Express cards (and therefore PCI-e mobos) will become a necessity for latest tech users...

[fmctm1sw]

There's another post around here titled "PCI express vs. AGP" or something like that...

[waheed]

pci-e is rated at 16x, agp at 8x

most new gpus are now available in pci-e, the agp versions require an molex power connected to the card, while the pci-e does not. its draws all of its power from the pci-e slot.

SLI (using two gpus in one pc) will only work with pci-e.

[rallynavvie]

the agp versions require an molex power connected to the card, while the pci-e does not. its draws all of its power from the pci-e slot.

I don't know how true that is since there is a special PCI-E power connector for PCI-E cards. It's a rectangular 6-pin deal found on some newer PSUs. Better having a seperate power connector for video cards like that anyway, running that much more juice through the mainboard PCB can't be very safe.

[ViRaL1]

Wouldn't the boards be designed with that in mind?

[waheed]

the agp versions require an molex power connected to the card, while the pci-e does not. its draws all of its power from the pci-e slot.

I don't know how true that is since there is a special PCI-E power connector for PCI-E cards. It's a rectangular 6-pin deal found on some newer PSUs. Better having a seperate power connector for video cards like that anyway, running that much more juice through the mainboard PCB can't be very safe.

maybe i should have provided more details. the majority of pci-e cards do not require an external power supply as the pci-e bus can provide enough juice to power the gpu. however, the very high end GPUs (example nvidia 6800 ultra) will require a external power supply as these cards consume plenty of power.

it is not neccesary for the external supply if the mainboard can supply the power. most newer mainboards require an additional 12v (4 pin) power connector as well as the 24pin (or 20pin or older baords) this provides enough juice for some decent GPUs (example like my 6600GT)

also. using one less power supply cable means less messy cables, and is a benefit for those using modular PSUs.