Do todays video cards really take advantage of AGP?

[Byte]

I mean they are talking about 8X AGP, is that really needed? With 128MB being norm on vid cards and much TnL done on the GPU itself, not require the CPU to send as much data, why do they need to up AGP speeds?

 

[Rand]

Most modern graphics cards take extensive advantage of AGP's advanced features, to the point wherein a PCI GF2 MX400 is comparable to an AGP GF2 MX200.

If your referring strictly to the bandwidth provided, and whether there is any need to AGP 8X. Definitely not.
Generally there is roughly a 5-7% performance difference between AGP 1X, and AGP 2X. Ther performance difference between AGP 2X and AGP 4X is -1 to +1% in the majority of cases and it's very rare for there to be any real difference between the two in terms of performance.
Given that we are not even touching the limits of AGP 4X, and rarely stressing AGP 2X, then going to AGP 8X is pretty much useless for a consumer graphics cards.

It's mostly hype, and to make a more impressive sped sheet. Just like ATA133 sounds better then ATA100, AGP8X sounds better then AGP 4X irregardless of the virtually non-existent performance differential.
Even professional level graphics cards, in extremely bandwidth intensive scenarios are only beginning to utilize AGP 4X.

 

[Byte]

What special features does AGP Pro have? Does it have 2x,4x flavors too? I think the Wildcat III has AGP8X, but has 415MB of RAM so that crazy! It's interesting to see how a Quadro4 will stack up against the older Wildcats in Maya.

 

[Lorne]

AGP pro has nothing to do with X1-X4 features, Pro is for the power requirment, There is Pro 50 and Pro110, I belive there is one such other but not sure.
These are cards that require 50- 110 Watts of power, and if you could insert one into a MB that does not support or is made for a Pro series there is a good chance you will smoke the MB, Its the same thing 3Dfx was going through with the 5500 and 6000 needing power directly from the powersupply.

Some users may remember jamming that new Gforce,2,gtx,Ultra or 3 into there old K62,Celly or Pen2 or 3 and watched as the smoke rose from the glowing traces leading from the supply connector to there agp slot.

The above card you mention and the Oxygen from 3DLabs are for GFX design, They work different and therefore would be a waste of 1-4k for game perposes.