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.

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.