AGP on IC-7x boards

RESloan · Oct 30, 2003

I am considering one of the IC7 series boards for a new system. Under specs it show AGP as 4X/8X. Does this mean that older 1x/2x boards will not work? TIA

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TomG · Oct 30, 2003

I believe that is correct, the older 1x/2x AGP video cards will not work.

Stan (spamaway · Oct 31, 2003

I had the opinion that the AGP spec. is backword compatible with AGP1 and 2 cards. The only problem was the voltage some cards needed to work. Initially AGP wanted
3.3 volts which later was dropped to 1.5 volts.
Using one of the old cards could potentially destroy your new p4 board. From geforce 2 and above that is not a problem.

"TomG" wrote:

I believe that is correct, the older 1x/2x AGP video cards will not work.

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TomG · Oct 31, 2003

many of the older AGP 1x/2x only cards would fit the profile of a card that is 3.3 volts only.

Richard Hopkins · Oct 31, 2003

"TomG" in message...

many of the older AGP 1x/2x only cards would fit the profile of a card that is 3.3 volts only.

Exactly. The AGP revision 1.0 (which defined the 1x and 2x speeds) specification calls for a 3.3v bus voltage.

AGP 2.0 (4x) calls for a 1.5 volt bus with backwards compatibility available for 3.3volt cards, and backwards compatible 1x and 2x transfers.

AGP 3.0 (8x) calls for a 0.8 volt bus with backwards compatibility with 1.5 volt cards, and backwards compatible 1x and 4x transfers.

The recent breed of P4/AMD chipsets require graphics cards compliant with AGP 3.0 spec, which of course includes AGP 2.0 compliant cards thanks to the backwards compatibility with 1.5 volt switching and 4x transfers. Older 3.3 volt only AGP cards either won't work at all, or will damage the motherboard.

RESloan · Oct 31, 2003

I have a Gainward GEF 2 mx/mx400, and from SSandra: AGP ver. 2, transfer rates 1x 2x 4x. Not sure of the voltage. From below, it sounds like it will work although I would hate to take a chance on damaging a new MB. Anyway to verify the voltage?

"Richard Hopkins" wrote:

"TomG" in message...
many of the older AGP 1x/2x only cards would fit the profile of a
card that is 3.3 volts only.

Exactly. The AGP revision 1.0 (which defined the 1x and 2x speeds) specification calls for a 3.3v bus voltage.

AGP 2.0 (4x) calls for a 1.5 volt bus with backwards compatibility available for 3.3volt cards, and backwards compatible 1x and 2x transfers.

AGP 3.0 (8x) calls for a 0.8 volt bus with backwards compatibility with 1.5 volt cards, and backwards compatible 1x and 4x transfers.

The recent breed of P4/AMD chipsets require graphics cards compliant with AGP 3.0 spec, which of course includes AGP 2.0 compliant cards thanks to the backwards compatibility with 1.5 volt switching and 4x transfers. Older 3.3 volt only AGP cards either won't work at all, or will damage the motherboard.
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Richard Hopkins · Nov 1, 2003

"RESloan" wrote:

I have a Gainward GEF 2 mx/mx400, and from SSandra:
AGP ver. 2,

That's the important thing. This card supports 1.5 volt switching, so it will work on any of the 1.5/0.8v boards.

From below, it sounds like it will work although I would hate to take a chance on damaging a new MB.

Indeedy. Worry not, it'll be fine.

Stan (spamaway · Nov 2, 2003

I would send an email to the manufacturer of the vid card to see what they say about the 1.5/3.3 volt switching. I found a german site indicating that some manufacturers cut corners in the manufacture of the geforce 2 cards and had made cards that were not agp 4x compliant in regards to voltage.

I will be facing your problem in a few months. I am going to upgrade to a p4 board but still want to keep my geforce 2 ultra for a few more months. I am 99% sure it will work. Post back with any results.

"Richard Hopkins" wrote:

"RESloan" wrote:

I have a Gainward GEF 2 mx/mx400, and from SSandra:
AGP ver. 2,

That's the important thing. This card supports 1.5 volt switching, so it will work on any of the 1.5/0.8v boards.

From below, it sounds like it will work although I would hate
to take a chance on damaging a new MB.

Indeedy. Worry not, it'll be fine.
...

RESloan · Nov 2, 2003

Thanks all. Will report back. I also have a Matrox G400 Millenium dual head card which claims 2-4x at their site. Sandra does not give any useful specs on it. Anyone familiar with these?

"Stan" <stankos@(spamaway)netspace.net.au> wrote:

I would send an email to the manufacturer of the vid card to see what they say about the 1.5/3.3 volt switching. I found a german site indicating that some manufacturers cut corners in the manufacture of the geforce 2 cards and had
made cards that were not agp 4x compliant in regards to voltage.

I will be facing your problem in a few months. I am going to upgrade to a p4 board but still want to keep my geforce 2 ultra
for a few more months.
I am 99% sure it will work.
Post back with any results.

"Richard Hopkins" wrote:

"RESloan" wrote:

I have a Gainward GEF 2 mx/mx400, and from SSandra:
...

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Richard Hopkins · Nov 3, 2003

"RESloan" wrote:

Thanks all. Will report back. I also have a Matrox G400 Millenium dual head card which claims 2-4x at their site. Sandra does not give any useful specs on it. Anyone familiar with these?

Yes. The very early examples weren't capable of running on 1.5 volt buses properly, but others are. If your card is capable of 4x transfers and has the extra "4" in its model code (eg G4+MDH4A32G instead of G4+MDHA32G), it will work at 4x/1.5 volt on an AGP 3.0 compliant board.