AGP, PCI, PCI Express?

[Levantis]

The more I look at motherboards, the more I realise I don't have a clue how to compare them.

I've been reading that AGP graphic cards are faster than PCI, and since I primarily play games, especially 3D ones, I was gonna get an AGP card. But why is it that I can't find motherboards with AGP slots? I've opened quite a few computers in my life, adding cards, and ram and basic stuff like that for myself and friends. Every one I've opened has had an AGP slot, and a few PCI slots.

Now, shopping for a motherboard, even the so called "super gaming" boards, and high performance models that cost $2-300 each don't have an AGP slot. If it's so great, why wouldn't a high performance board have it?

And what's this PCI express thing? I've never seen those before.

[RJ]

But why is it that I can't find motherboards with AGP slots?

AGP is dying. . .actually it is pretty much dead. There are still AGP cards coming out, but they're meant for older systems that still have an AGP slot, so you can upgrade them without needing a new board. After all, AGP is still sufficient for the normal user.
But newer mainboards do not have AGP anymore. AGP has been replaced by PCI-E, and so will PCI.

Now, shopping for a motherboard, even the so called "super gaming" boards, and high performance models that cost $2-300 each don't have an AGP slot. If it's so great, why wouldn't a high performance board have it?

Because PCI-E offers more bandwidth. Though at the moment AGP is still enough for the normal user and normal gamer, PCI-E is not only more future-proof because of the higher bandwidth, it also allows you to use two graphics cards simultaneously, in a SLI array. On "super gaming" boards you should find two PCI-E x16 slots for that reason.

And what's this PCI express thing? I've never seen those before.

It's the new bus system, dedicated to replace PCI and AGP. It has already replaced AGP, and PCI will be gone some day as well, though it will take a bit longer. But when you look at new mainboards, you'll find fewer PCI slots than there used to be, and additionally some PCI-E x1 slots (the very short ones).

Also see here: http://arstechnica.com/articles/paed...are/pcie.ars/1

Bottom line: Unless you are a hardcore gamer who needs a SLI system, AGP will still do if you have a computer that you'd like to upgrade. If you're gonna build a new one, though, go with PCI-E.

RJ

[Levantis]

Thanks for the help.

[mystvearn]

Though AGP is dead, Nvidia and ATi has the latest cards for that platform. Those who invested alot in AGP boards will not want to fork out more for a new system. But PCI-E is the way to go.
SLI is good, but not great. Unless you are too rich to be bothered with spending some hundreds for another graphic cards.
The is another reason why PCI are getting less. Most of the hardware is built in from sound cards, modem, ethernet, etc. which are as good as mid-end cards. But this also varies from motherboard, depending on which market group it targets.