Video Cards-Confusion over AGP Bus

[JohnEZ]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at:

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600XT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK -OEM

Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9600XT/500MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/650MHz
BUS: AGP 4x/8x
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video Out)+DVI Connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
Cable/Accessories: 1 Cable, PowerDVD, Driver CD
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz

My confusion is with the AGP Bus. I have absolutely no idea what speed my AGP slot is capable of.

If it helps any, this system was purchased around October of 2002 and currently holds a (crappy) nVidia GeForce4 MX 420, 64MB.

Thanks for your help,
-John :)

[Supernova]

It might have something to do with the max speed the slot can use the card, but I'm no expert in the matter so don't take my word for it. By the way, what does BUS stand for?

[Mirelly]

John!

I found this http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/faqs/kb/10,63.html which isn't especially helpful I'm sorry to say. What you really need to know is the make and model of your mother board ... 8X AGP is relatively new and PC manufacturers would not be likely to fit a cutting edge m/board in machine that was gonna have a 4X video card ...

Supernova ... a "bus" is a transport so ... school bus, busboy, bus bar (electrical), etc. In computer speak the "bus" is the parallel connector that joins one bit to another -- it's the tab with the copper strips on that you stick into the socket/port AND the socket/port ... so ... plug + socket = bus (a transport device for electrical impulses!) :)