MSI Preps Graphics Card with Two Interfaces.

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MSI’s RADEON X800 XL Can Function Using PCI Express and AGP Busses.

Microstar International is demonstrating a rather unique graphics card that can operate using either AGP 8x or PCI Express x16 interfaces at Computex Taipei 2005 show. The product is not yet commercial, but is rather a concept, but it seems to be targeted at customers looking for inexpensive and gradual upgrade.

MSI’s Geminium VIII graphics card based on ATI RADEON X800 XL visual processing unit has two interfaces: native PCI Express x16 and “bridged” AGP 8x. In order to switch between the interfaces users will need to turn the board over and plug-in using necessary connector. The manufacturer seems to use ATI Rialto bridge to enable AGP interconnection for the graphics processor that does not actually support this bus, reports X-bit labs’ Anna Filatova from Taipei, Taiwan. The graphics card is able to function without hassles at full speed in both AGP 8x and PCI Express x16 systems, according to the maker.
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Read More: x-bitlabs

hohum

Ingenious That'll certainly be handy for people currently on AGP systems, as they can upgrade their card now and still be able to use it at a later date when they decide to move to PCIe.

farkas

Yup, I'll be going that route for sure, if they do come out in eventually. I know that they have existed before, but mostly for game dev and related stuff, but in a time like this, with a transition from AGP/PCI to PCIe, those "hybrid" products are starting to become popular again, just like when we changed from ISA to PCI and from some CPU sockets to other ones in the past.

Right now, I have a AGP based system, and I dont feel like buying a CPU/MOBO RAM + video card at the same time just for an upgrade !

Anyways, the sooner and the more of them, the better.

Thumbs up for MSI

bananaman

what a great idea! bet these will popular cards for those not wanting to have to upgrade in one big go

nana

flabioh

So, wait... the card will actually be pointing towards the CPU in one of the configurations? Thermally is that a good thing or a bad thing?

jasonbourne

what a waste of time

hohum

Because?

Tipstaff

So, you can either buy a motherboard that has both a PCIE and AGP slot on it like Albatrons PX915P (which it's AGP slot runs at PCI speed), or an AGP to PCI-E bridge card like the Albatron ATOP, or get a video card that has both connectors on it like this one.

If there are no performance 'disadvantages' using this card (by that I mean that if this card does run full speed in both AGP and PCIE modes) then I'm all for it. The only problem is... it's from MSI. And I hate MSI. Passionatly. Which makes me instantly skeptical of anything they release.

-Tip

caqde

uhm. why? did you have a bad experience? Whatever anyways.

I think this is a great idea. If it gives the performance of the X800XL on both PCI Express and AGP and has no problems with thermals or other problems then this will definitly help me move to a PCI Express platform.