How long 'til AGP is dead?

[Iniamyen]

I've been considering upgrading my graphics card, as I have some disposable funds from my job this summer. My alternative is to wait another year plus (after grad school), and either upgrade then or build a new computer.

My dilemma is, I've been noticing a lot of the GPU's moving to PCI-E, sometimes not even being available in an AGP version. If it turns out that, in a year, the rest of my computer is fine for playing the latest games, and I can't get a current-gen GPU in an AGP version, I will be stuck with doing a serious (if not complete) overhaul. I want to be as efficient about upgrading parts as possible, while still being on the cutting (if not bleeding) edge of the technology.

Would you recommend getting a top-end AGP card now (or in a few months?) Or would it be better to do an entire rebuild in another year or so?

Or is there a third possibility I'm missing?

[tomster2300]

I would go for the PCI-e if you're going to upgrade. The 7800 GTX is only offered in PCI-e right? The video card companies have made the jump, so should you. I think AGP and PCI-e based cards are pumping out similar benchmarks, so you won't be losing any graphical power by making the jump.

Good luck.

[ric449]

It's already happening. As tom said, the 7800GTX won't even have a AGP version, PCI-E all the way. I expect ATI to do the same with their next generation graphics card.

[systempat]

It depends where you're at on what performance you need. If you're running top-end 3D games and gotta have max detail and max frame rates, then you're ready to switch over.
If you want overall performance but not looking for blistering 3D performance, and don't believe in putting down $250 or more for a video card (or are too cheap), then AGP is probably enough.
And then there's half the PC world that buys the integrated video chipsets (according to statistics) and does not worry about it.
From your sig Iniamyen, you're already running a radeon 9800 pro. That probably puts you in the first group.
I just built a new system that still uses an AGP-equipped mobo. It's an Nforce3 board. And I put in a radeon 9600 pro. I'm in that second group and not running Doom 3 or Halo 2.

[austin1]

(didnt read this post but read title) no one can tell you when its going to be gone because every one has diff opions on what is better and what they like ect and companys might not get rid of it any time soon but for sure pci-E is the way to go at least i think so.

[kram 2.0]

nVIDIA's plan to go PCI-E only on the GF7800GTX seems like an utterly stupid move to me - most users are still well entrenched in AGP. I think you should hold off on upgrading for a while - the Radeon 9800 Pro can still take on a lot of stuff at fairly high settings.

kram

[tomster2300]

nVIDIA's plan to go PCI-E only on the GF7800GTX seems like an utterly stupid move to me - most users are still well entrenched in AGP. I think you should hold off on upgrading for a while - the Radeon 9800 Pro can still take on a lot of stuff at fairly high settings.

kram

I think Nvidia took the plunge that nobody was willing to take yet. It was a risk, but I think it'll prove fruitful in the end. When you make something different and make that the only option, (especially when you're one of the only two recommended and trusted video card makers) then the mainstream is forced to make your change the norm and drop what was being used. If ATI follows the same route and makes their next series PCI-e only then it'll seal AGP's fate. Also if you look at many of the high end pre-built computers by top manufacturers, across the board they are using PCI-e instead of AGP.

PCI-e was once the thing of the future; something to upgrade to in a year or so. Now I believe it's here to stay.

[Force Flow]

Now that 64-bit technology has made its debut, most people who keep on top of things will be switching over to that. And guess what it includes? PCI-e ;)

I'm guessing we'll have another 2-4 years on AGP. Not everyone has switched over from integrated or PCI yet.

[RazorDX]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but they haven't even reached the full potential of AGP 8X yet... let alone PCI-E. I think as long as there are hardcore gamers willing to make the plunge, they will do it. Why? Because the only ones that are going to go out and spend over 400 dollars on a graphics card are hardcore gamers.

[tomster2300]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but they haven't even reached the full potential of AGP 8X yet... let alone PCI-E. I think as long as there are hardcore gamers willing to make the plunge, they will do it. Why? Because the only ones that are going to go out and spend over 400 dollars on a graphics card are hardcore gamers.

Well you're right. As long as AGP cards still run modern games in some shape, form, or fashion they will continue being used and sold. I just got rid of my old Geforce 4 ti4800se at Christmas. But if you're talking about what's going to be currently produced and supported by the major manufacturers currently and even more in the future, it will be pci-e.

Bottom line for me: If you're planning on a major overhaul or completely new pc build, then go with pci-e so you won't have to worry about updating your mobo when you decide to put in that next new video card -- unless you shop for an older AGP one for some reason and want to get slower performance (because by that time pci-e will undeniably be the norm and will have seen many improvements -- software and an OS will be out by then that actually supports it). The new mobos from here on out will only support pci-e, not AGP.

[allburnintegrated]

Although the hardcore gamers fork out 400US for a nice graphics card, the graphics card makers (and intel) make more money off integrated and budget graphics. They probably sell at least 10 times more budget graphics solutions than hardcore graphics.

[glc]

AGP has been around for about 8 years now, and PCI is not dead yet. You can't get anything more powerful than a Radeon 9250 in PCI though. However, I'd bank the surplus funds and when the 9800 Pro is no longer doing what you need, do a total overhaul at that time.