Want to upgrade my video card. Confused about AGP 2x, 4x need help

[Ghost]

I'd like to buy a new system, but wondering if it may be more cost effective to upgrade my video card instead. I currently have a Creative Labs TNT2 Ultra 32 video card on a pent III, 700 Mhz, slot 1 processor on an Aopen AX6BC pro gold board.

The Geforce 3, Titanium 200 seems like it would be a nice upgrade for about 200 bucks.

However, I'm confused on the difference between AGP 2x, and 4x and whether or not my older motherboard supports them. I know the 2x and 4x are bus multipliers.

How do I determine what AGP speed my motherboard will support? I've read my motherboard documentation and the only thing I've found is "the AGP clock ratio will automatically be determined by chipset. For example for a 66M CPU it is 1/1 for a 100/133M CPU it is 2/3."
I'm not sure what that has to do with 2x or 4x speed.

Is the AGP speeds changed by a setting on my motherboard?

Is their a huge performance hit if my board only supports 2x AGP?


Thanks in advance

Ghost

 

[NeoMadHatter]

the AGP settings are either on your motherboard as switches or more than likely in the BIOS of the motherboard. AGP 4X cards are backwards compatible so the GeForce3 Ti will work no matter what. also, your motherboard manual/manufacturer website usually tell you what the specs of the AGP bus is.
as to the AGP2X vs 4X question, i'm not too sure, since i'm running on AGP2x because of my motherboard restrictions, but i do think that there is a performance difference, how big it is i'm not sure. it shouldn't be too big though.

 

[Rand]

<<
How do I determine what AGP speed my motherboard will support? I've read my motherboard documentation and the only thing I've found is "the AGP clock ratio will automatically be determined by chipset. For example for a 66M CPU it is 1/1 for a 100/133M CPU it is 2/3."
I'm not sure what that has to do with 2x or 4x speed.

>>



The AGP divider either 1/1, 2/3, or 1/2 merely ensures that the AGP slot is running at it's epcified clockspeed of 66MHz it has nothing to do with AGP 1X/2X/4X.
The settings for AGP 1/2/4X should be loacted in your BIOS, what settings your motherboard supports is dependent upoon the mobo chipset.
I wouldnt at all worry about whether your running at AGP 2X or 4X, the real world performance difference between the two is typically 0-1%. Even AGP 1X is only about 5-8% slower then AGP 4X in real world conditions.

Many people run AGP 2X even if their graphics card and motherboard are capable of AGP 4X simply because running at AGP4X often negatively impacts stability.

BTW, your motherboard supports up to AGP 2X. And an AGP divider of 1/1 or 2/3.

 

[BFG10K]

I know the 2x and 4x are bus multipliers.

No, the speed rating is the number of transfers per clock the port can do. All AGP slots run at 66 MHz.

Is their a huge performance hit if my board only supports 2x AGP?

No, right now it's pretty small. That Ti200 should work just fine on your system - just make sure you have the latest BIOS and chipset drivers for your motherboard.