AGP
3.0 (8X)
What
is AGP 8X?
AGP
8X is the next step in the AGP evolution from Intel and is based on the
AGP 3.0 Specification. This new technology delivers a blistering 2.1 GB/s
of peak graphics bandwidth and will meet demands of future graphic intensive
applications and multiple video streaming, as well as real-time video
editing.
New
changes and features in AGP 8X from Intel
Higher
data rate - The AGP 3.0 Specification increased the strobe
rate from 266 MT/s with AGP 2.0 to 533 MT/s with AGP 3.0. This now doubles
the peak AGP bandwidth to 2.1 GB/s.
New
signaling scheme - AGP 3.0 uses the same connector pin assignment,
as AGP 2.0 with a few additions. With the new signaling scheme, several
signals are now inverted in order to reduce DC current flow. The new
signaling scheme also uses a signal swing of zero to 0.8V.
AGP
8X Transfer Mode/AGP 3.0 Spec compatibility - Since AGP 3.0
uses the same 1.5V keyed connector as AGP 4X, AGP 3.0 motherboards and
graphic cards can be designed to be compatible with existing implementations
of AGP at 1.5V signaling.
Redefined
signals - Two signals have been redefined and several new signals
have been added in order to support the new signaling scheme.
Removal
of High Priority and “Long” Type Transactions -
AGP 3.0 does not support high priority transactions. This feature has
been removed and therefore all transactions have the same priority.
AGP 3.0 also does not support “Long” type transactions.
The maximum transactions size initiated by a master is limited to 64
bytes. These changes keep the protocol simple and efficient.
Isochronous
support - Isochronous data transfers guarantee to process a
specified number of transactions of a specified size during a specified
time period. This allows streaming applications a continuous data transfer.
Compatibility
AGP
3.0 video cards will allow backwards compatibility with AGP 2.0 (4X) motherboards,
however, the card will only work at the AGP 2.0 spec, not 3.0. Even though
AGP 3.0 motherboards will support AGP 2.0, some motherboards with the
AGP 3.0 specification may only support AGP 3.0 and not both 3.0 and 2.0
in the future. Make sure you always check your motherboard manufacture’s
AGP specification before purchasing your next video card.
AGP
Spec |
Signaling |
Bandwidth |
Strobe
Rate |
Speed |
AGP
3.0 |
0.8
V/1.5V |
2133
MB/s |
533MT/s |
4X,
8X |
AGP
2.0 |
1.5
V/ 3.3V |
1066
MB/s |
266MT/s |
1X,
2X, 4X |
AGP
1.0 |
3.3
V |
533
MB/s |
133MT/s |
1X,
2X |
Importance
of the EVGA.com ADM Software
Our
Patent Pending Automated Driver Management (ADM) Software will become
important to successful first time and existing installations again. Current
operating systems, such as Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP, do not have native
driver support for AGP 8X. Microsoft has yet to announce full compatibility
with this hardware specification although we suspect that Windows 2000
and XP will have updates available that will allow AGP 8X support. Users
will have to download the latest chipset drivers and/or patches for their
operating system. However, with ADM, you can install your current operating
system, load up the ADM installation program, then sit back and allow
ADM to install the correct AGP Chipset Drivers for your AGP 8X Motherboard.
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