AGP Video Graphics Cards Knowledge Needed

[stewie-Y]

Hey!

I have a few old computers set up so that my buds and I can play old games. I wanted to put CoD1 on them all, but a few don't have the graphics capabilities to play it, so I've decided to upgrade some of their video cards, but I need some help.

I found a good deal on a few cards (DELL AGP VIDEO CARD 128MB DVI 180-10118-0000-A04), which should be able to run it perfectly, but I'm not sure if it is compatible with the computers that need it.  And I just can not figure out its specification and speed, though I think it is a 4x.
Here are some pictures of the cards that I'm thinking about buying:


Here are pictures and details of the computers that I want to put these cards in(Motherboard info taken from CPU-Z and I did my best to guess on the slots):

1. Mobo: i850-w83267. Claims to support AGP 4X.   
Slot: I believe it is a 1.5v 4x AGP slot.




2. Mobo: Dell OptiPlex GX150. Claims to support AGP 4X.   
Slot: I believe it is an AGP Universal slot.




3. Mobo: P4M266A-8235. Claims to support AGP 4X.
Slot: I think it's an AGP Universal slot, but I can not really tell.




4. Mobo: Microstar MS-6330. Claims to support AGP 1X,2X,4X.
Slot: I think it's an AGP Universal slot.




I could not find the speed of the cards I'm planning on buying, so I'm hoping one of you could tell me. Also, if it is 4X I believe it should work in all of them, but if it is 1X 2X or 8X will they be able to work anyway?

Thanks much!

[Computer Hope Admin]

Wikipedia:

AGP cards are backward and forward compatible within limits. 1.5 V-only keyed cards will not go into 3.3 V slots and vice versa, though "Universal" slots exist which accept either type of card. AGP Pro cards will not fit into standard slots, but standard AGP cards will work in a Pro slot. Some cards, like Nvidia's GeForce 6 series (except the 6200) or ATI's Radeon X800 series, only have keys for 1.5 V to prevent them from being installed in older mainboards without 1.5 V support. Some of the last modern cards with 3.3 V support were the Nvidia GeForce FX series (FX 5200, FX 5500, FX 5700, some FX 5800, FX 5900 and some FX 5950) and the ATI Radeon 9500/9700/9800(R350) (but not 9600/9800(R360)). Some Geforce 6200 cards will function with AGP 1.0 (3.3v) slots.

* Intel 850 is a AGP 1.5V Motherboard Supports only 1.5V signaling. Available speeds 1x, 2x, 4x.(from link listed below)

* Dell OptiPlex GX150: 4X AGP card can be supported (low profile cards for small form-factor and small desktop systems; full-height cards [up to 22.9 cm or 9 inches] for the small mini-tower system)

But would agree that looks to be a Universal

* Not sure about your third Motherboard.

* MSI motherboard:
It introduces a 66MHz, 32-bit channel for the graphics controller to directly access main memory and provides three levels of throughputs: 1x (266Mbps), 2x (533Mbps) and 4x (1.07Gbps).

Good document on AGP compatibility:
http://www.playtool.com/pages/agpcompat/agp.html

[stewie-Y]

Using the link you gave me, I have determined that all 4 computers should be able to run the video cards.

Hopefully I'm right!

Thanks.

[Computer Hope Admin]

Good to hear and good luck LAN parties are always fun. Too bad Utah doesn't have the Kill Inc LAN parties.