PCI or AGP?

[sabre2]

Theres different versions of GeForce4 MX , my problem is, i have a dell case that uses low profile AGP or regular PCI. I can find PCI GeForce4 cards easily, but the low profile card for agp i can only find Gainwards GeForce4 MX 420.

Should i go with a PCI GeForce4 MX 440 or go with a Gainward AGP GeForce4 MX 420?

Thanks, if anyone knows where and what other video card might be best for low profile AGP please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

Alain

Alain Desjardins

 

[Flyboy]

All I know is that you should NOT get a PCI version video card. The PCI bus is severly limited in bandwidth (12. You will get better performance out of the AGP (more than likely a significant performance difference).

Here's some of the major differences:
1. PCI is limited to about 133MB/sec
2. AGP has Direct Memory Execution, PCI does not (BIG advantage here)
3. The AGP bus is not shared with other (SLllllower components) devices
4. AGP can execute multiple instructions per bus clock cycle

What this means is, do not get a PCI-version graphics card! I don't think they are even that much cheaper than the equivalent AGP version.

 

[Spitfire_x86]

I can find PCI GeForce4 cards easily, but the low profile card for agp i can only find Gainwards GeForce4 MX 420.

Your both choices are wrong. Flyboy described why you should not get a PCI MX440. But you should NEVER buy GeForce4 MX420. It lags due to it's poor memory behind. A GeForce2 GTS can outperform it. A good brand GeForce2 Ti or Radeon 7500 BBA is much better choice for you. (also technically superior than all GeForce4 MX chips, have pixel shader, GF4 MX doesn't have this. Quality should be better with GF2 Ti or R7500 BBA.)

<b><font color=red> Long live piracy! </font color=red></b>

 

[sabre2]

What my problem is, i need either a LOW PROFILE AGP or a PCI Video card. I can find PCI cards easily, but LOW PROFILE AGP is rare! I know Gainward does low profile AGP video cards in the GF4MX 420 and 440.

I guess my question was, what is the BEST LOW PROFILE AGP Video card???

Right now im going to cancel my GeForce4 MX 420 Gainward Power Pack low profile order from googlegear.com because you said its not worth buying.

Post a link of where i can buy a good low profile video card please if you can or tell me which model to look for.

You do know what LOW PROFILE is right?

Alain Desjardins

 

[Crashman]

The MX420 is basically a GeForce2 MX400 I think. The MX440 is basically a GeForce2 GTS with a couple added features I think. Now the GTS outperformed the MX400 by quite a bit BUT...
The PCI version of the MX440 is probably 1/4 the performance of the AGP version, because of bandwidth problems. The AGP version of the MX420 is probably half the performance of the AGP MX440. So even though the MX420 is half as powerfull as the MX440, the AGP version MX420 is probably twice the performance of the PCI version MX440.

Yes, PCI is that bad.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

 

[Crashman]

d00d, I just looked up a card for you, see it <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=14-128-136-01.JPG/14-128-136-04.JPG/14-128-136-03.JPG/14-128-136-02.JPG" target="_new">HERE</A>, with a discription <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-128-136&depa=0" target="_new">HERE</A>. This "MX460" is an MX440 with faster than stock memory running at faster than stock speed. The card itself is half-height as you can see. The bracket is full height. You have several options, including:
1.) cut down the bracket
2.) modify your existing bracket to fit the new card
3.) use it without the bracket.
4.) make a bracket

since Option 1 might void your warranty, number 2 looks like your best option.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

 

[sabre2]

Thank you so much! I havent been able to find a website that actually shows pictures that detailed about a video card. I set the order today and im sure i can make the modifications here.

Thanks again!

Alain Desjardins