~~Do i need AGP 8X ??!!

[Jmoses020]

Hey guys im in the process of buying/configuring a new computer. I'm going to be mostly using this computer to play the newest games out, listen to music, and browse the internet. Im going to put a pentium 4 2.4 ghz cpu with 512 ddr ram and an ATI RADEON 9500 or 9700 pro video card. My question is , should i get a motherboard with the AGP 8x feature to take full advantage of the video card. I know that all the new games coming out like doom 3 can take advantage of this feature. Is it worth getting a board with this feature, i found a low priced ECS board with this feature. Will i notice a difference in newer games coming out in teh next couple years with this feature. Thanks in advance.

 

[MrCodeDude]

I'm going to be mostly using this computer to play the newest games out

It's not necessary, but it's recommended.
-- mrcodedude

 

[everman]

You won't really see any difference between 4x and 8x currently. But it's becoming a lot more common now, so I'd probably get a mobo with it anyways.

 

[Duvie]

Agree with the last response....Fon't pass up a great deal though if all it has is 4x, since as stated the difference is very minor if at all in most games currently...

 

[Ferocious]

No.

AGP is irrevelant if you have a higher end card especially one with 128 megs.

It only matters a little bit for low end cards that share system memory like INTEL EXTREME graphics does....etc.

 

[Cosmic_Horror]

currently there is no dfference between agp 4x and agp 8x.

however as agp is a function of the chipset, there may be other reasons to go with a newer chipset such as usb2, firewire etc etc than just agp speed.

 

[zephyrprime]

Ferocious is dead on. AGP is a technology that never really found a use because RAM became so cheap. But all the new chipset have 8x and don't cost more and have better features.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

You'll probably end up with an 8x board if you're buying a new one now. Good (amd) boards are the Asus A7N8X Deluxe if you want lots of features or the EpoX 8RDA if you want a cheap mobo. Both are AGP 8x, not that the difference between 8x and 4x really matters.

 

[bgeh]

AGP 8x is only needed if your gfx card does not have a lot of RAM so it uses the system memory to store it's info.......imo, it's not really needed if you have a 64MB card and above

 

[Sahakiel]

Of course 8x is needed. AGP8x is a requirement for hardcore gamers. Studies have shown it decreases load times an average of two or three clock cycles while increasing framerates by up to 4 frames per year.

 

[Acanthus]

AGP 8x is useless now, and if youre thinking about future cards they are gonna be PCIX anyway, so youll need to get a new mobo.