Should I wait for AGP 8X before I buy a new computer?

[csu]

My current rig is P-III 500 256pc133ram and uses ASUS P2B-S with 2x AGP and my vendor says I can't use AGP4X video cards. Almost all video cards now are AGP4X now and it's very unfortunate that I can't play any games now just because of the old 2x graphics card I got (ATI all in wonder 8mb agp 2x + Diamond monster 3d II 12mb).

AGP 4x has been out for a little over 3 years and if I remember it correctly it came out a couple months after I bought my computer in 1998.

Since gaming is quite a big thing for me, I don't want to have this compatibility problem again with my new computer. Should I wait for AGP 8X motherboards to appear in the mainstream before I buy my new computer? So I will still be able to buy new video cards for at least 2 years to come?

[dansonang]

wait for a few months then since u r afraid that AGP 4x willgo outdated

[Illah]

I say just wait. I don't know Intel machines but I know that 8x boards for AMD are coming out in the next month give or take. I was running on a P3 500 laptop with NO 3d acceleration for a year or two, I know the pain of no gaming. Just put up with it a little longer.

--Illah

[RnPgrosz]

You probably could use a AGP 4X card and keep it at 2X in the BIOS.

[MospeadasDark]

Originally posted by csu
My current rig is P-III 500 256pc133ram and uses ASUS P2B-S with 2x AGP and my vendor says I can't use AGP4X video cards. Almost all video cards now are AGP4X now and it's very unfortunate that I can't play any games now just because of the old 2x graphics card I got (ATI all in wonder 8mb agp 2x + Diamond monster 3d II 12mb).

Since gaming is quite a big thing for me, I don't want to have this compatibility problem again with my new computer. Should I wait for AGP 8X motherboards to appear in the mainstream before I buy my new computer? So I will still be able to buy new video cards for at least 2 years to come?

You can use 4X/2X compatible card. You'll just be running in 2X rather than 4X. All newer cards can run in 2XAGP transfer.

Don't bother waiting for 8X. It won't be but a while until it is actually used. 4X is *barely* being used in games today(and that is if you use 1600X1200@32bit w/ all eyecandy on). Goodluck playing UT2003 at that setting.

4X won't be outdated for a few years. Chances are you'll have 8X/4X/2X AGP compatible cards anyways.

[toastedzergling]

Who is your vendor anyway? AGP 4X is backward compatible with 1X and 2X, you can use AGP 4X cards without problems! just grab a cheap Geforce2 gts/pro/ti card and you can enjoy all today's games. You might want to overclock your pentium III too, I think you can go to around 650Mhz if you have quality pc100 ram

[csu]

Originally posted by toastedzergling
Who is your vendor anyway? AGP 4X is backward compatible with 1X and 2X, you can use AGP 4X cards without problems! just grab a cheap Geforce2 gts/pro/ti card and you can enjoy all today's games. You might want to overclock your pentium III too, I think you can go to around 650Mhz if you have quality pc100 ram

The vendor I've been buying my computer from since day 1. It's a small shop that assembles desktop comps for peeps, maybe he doesn't know it's compatible.

I won't be able to enjoy the full power of new video cards if I buy one now.

[MospeadasDark]

Originally posted by csu


The vendor I've been buying my computer from since day 1. It's a small shop that assembles desktop comps for peeps, maybe he doesn't know it's compatible.

I won't be able to enjoy the full power of new video cards if I buy one now.

Can I ask you what resolution you play at? You can play 1280X1024@32bit perfectly fine at AGP2X.

[csu]

Originally posted by MospeadasDark


Can I ask you what resolution you play at? You can play 1280X1024@32bit perfectly fine at AGP2X.

I have a 19" monitor, with my currect rig I can only play at 1024*768 max.

Do you think a new video card like geforce3 will be a waste on P-III 500? Which card would you recommend?

Where should I put my ATI all in wonder 8mb and Diamond Monster 3d II after getting a new card? They don't even worth $10.

[Overclockerz]

I hang all my dead parts on my wall maybe u can do that with the 8meg card

And a geforce 3 would be a great card i dont hink they sell then anymore i may be wrong tho i would get a geforce 4 ti 4200 or a ge 3 ti 500 thier so darn cheap

[DocClock aka MadClocker]

If you are on a budget, I would just get a gf2 pro/gts...it is almost the same as a gf2 ultra..performance wise..and I run mine at 2xagp because my computer is so overclocked, it can't handle 4x,
Also, most Nvidia based cards come with overclocking utilities built into the driver set...even a tnt2 can be overclocked.
You would be amazed at the difference a 32mb or 64mb ddr card can deliver.
When I bought my tnt2 32mb, it was the first time I could play a directx or opengl game without any hiccups.. and with the gf2 pro, the speed was scary. Just upgrading the vid card can give you the impression of having a real speed demon, and make you apreciate your current rig.

BTW, is your PIII a 500E? or is it the older version with 512k cache?
The reason I ask, is the 500 with 512k cache (katmai) is in the cpu database with an AVERAGE overclock of 615 mhz and maxes out at around 667..and the 500E (coppermine) is in the database with an average speed of 744mhz with a max post at 865mhz

Also, Welcome to the forum...the best place on the internet to increase the performance of your computer, or at least learn how.
Hope this helps

[Nikoror]

I recently saw some 3dmark tests and the results between the 8x and the 4x agp were like 5%! so i don't believe there should be such a difference