MB AGP 8 slot?

[Ken]

I am considering a new MB (Abit VA-20) which lists its AGP slot as AGP
8x. Does this mean the MB will accept AGP 4x boards as well, or is must
it be stated as such? I have seen some MBs that list the slot as 8x and
4x. Thanks.

 

[Ginchy]

The important thing to check is the voltage. Some newer mb`s can only take a
1.5v card and you should NOT put a 3.3v card into such a mb or you will blow
it.

If it takes 3.3 and 1.5 then your 4x cards will "probably" work ok!

 

[Ken]

The important thing to check is the voltage. Some newer mb`s can only take a
1.5v card and you should NOT put a 3.3v card into such a mb or you will blow
it.

If it takes 3.3 and 1.5 then your 4x cards will "probably" work ok!

Please do not be offended, because I know next to nothing about AGP
cards. I know an AGP 2 card I had would NOT fit into the current MB I
have with a socket that designed for AGP 4 cards. I have read that an
AGP 8 card WILL fit into an AGP 4 socket, but operate at AGP 4. Also,
as you stated, there are different voltages for different types. (I hope
I have not misstated these facts.)

So I was wondering if a socket designed for AGP 8 would automatically
have the necessary wiring (voltage) for AGP 4 also. Is this not the
case, or must you ascertain it will accept an AGP 4 card before
installing one? Some MB makers cleary state AGP 4x, 8x, while others
state only 8x.

I appreciate your comments, but I am dense about this topic and wanted
to fully understand what to expect. Thanks again.

 

[Howard Kaikow]

I Just went thru this exercise earlier this month.

I decided to replace the AGP card.
The mobo can accept only 1X and 2X, but I got a card Radeon 7000 that was
backward compatible.

If you check the web sites at,say, ATI and Matrox, you will find
compatibility lists for their cards.
Matrox had better info, but I got a card from a local PC builder.

 

[DaveW]

It will also accept 4x cards.

 

[Conor]

I am considering a new MB (Abit VA-20) which lists its AGP slot as AGP
8x. Does this mean the MB will accept AGP 4x boards as well, or is must
it be stated as such? I have seen some MBs that list the slot as 8x and
4x. Thanks.

Yes it will. What is more important is the voltage as AGP 1/2X were 5V
however the edge connectors and slots are keyed so you can't
accidentally put a 3.3V or 1.5V AGP card in a 5V slot.