AGP 2x/4x versus 4x/8x

[ucvb6]

hello,

I need to pick up a deual head video card and had a question:

On newegg, they have AGP 2x/4x and AGP 4x/8x video cards. I have an old Epox 8K3A mobo from a couple years back which I believe supports AGP 1x/2x/4x. Does this mean that I can run a 4x/8x card? Not sure what the 2x/4x/8x stuff means.

Also, are these any others good video card manufacturers that make dual head video cards aside from ATI and Matrox?

 

[TheRyuu]

Yes

 

[Wolfshanze]

The ONLY differance is that AGP 4x/8x cards cannot run on an AGP 1x (only) MB*. Since AGP 1x-only MBs are rarer then hen's teeth, there's not much differance between any of the AGP video cards these days. If you have an AGP 4x and lower MB, you can run ANY AGP video card.

*Edit:
Or perhaps it was that AGP 1x-only video cards couldn't run on AGP 2x-4x MBs... it was something like that... but any AGP 4x capable MB can be combined with any modern AGP card... that much I do know.

 

[ucvb6]

awesome guys, thanks for the quick replies.

 

[gsellis]

Not that you guys aren't correct as I cannot remember for the moment... But are you sure? I though 1/2/4x's are the higher voltage cards (3.3?) and 4/8x's are 1.5volts. BUT, I could be very mistaken... Just, this sort of rang the alarm bell and I am not sure it was a false positive...

 

[Wolfshanze]

I edited my response... but I remember it had something to do with AGP 1x... either the card or the MB, but I do specifically remember it revolved around SOMETHING that was AGP 1x only (MB or card) not working with the newer specs.

In any case, the OP is fine getting any modern AGP card for his current MB (I know because in one of my systems I'm running an AGP 4x/8x card in a AGP 1x-4x MB).

 

[Peter]

Don't mix up stuff, folks.

AGP 1x and 2x modes run with 3.3V signalling, while 4x and 8x run at 1.5V. _Supply_ power has always been 3.3V.

4x/8x cards MAY be backward compatible to 2x and even 1x with 3.3V signalling, but they don't HAVE to.

Cards and slots are keyed, so that only compatible stuff can be plugged together. (Yes there have been engineering fsckups on both ends. Check your facts.)

https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=18872

 

[Wolfshanze]

Hey Peter, don't confuse the situation... the OP said he had an AGP 4x MB.

Bottom line, if that's the case, he can run any AGP video card he wants that's "modern" from the AGP 4x/8x category on NewEgg.

We answered is question correctly regardless of the history of AGP... if he's got an AGP 4x MB, he can run cards from NewEggs AGP 4x/8x category!

 

[Peter]

Yes he can - since unlike ALL other backward compatibility steps, it is MANDATORY that 8x gear be backward compatible to 4x. (Both ways - 8x card on 4x capable mainboard must work, and 4x card on 8x capable mainboard must work too.)