How do you upgrade a motherboard?

[Zordon]

I'm new to the PC geek world, so somebody help me. I have an ASUS P4S533-MX motherboard and would like to upgrade to one with an 8x slot. Any tips on wich to get, how to install it and if it will fit in the same case?.

[rpertusio]

Hi,
found an article that might help:
Guide to upgrading a Motherboard

Although dated in the year 2000, most of it is still accurate.


Also, from my understanding, the 865PE and 875P chipsets are the first Intel chipsets to support AGP 8X. Make sure your processor/RAM (and any other components) will work with the new motherboard first!

- rp

[Peter M]

8x AGP is all marketing hype anyway, with ZERO real world benefit. Just skip that upgrade.

[RedFury]

I agree, unless there is something a new motherboard will bring to the table for you besides the 8x agp, I'd wait until you get something that will give you a noticeable speed boost ( like SATA drives ), or going from SDRAM to DDR SDRAM - faster RAM.

BTW, Welcome to TIMO! Grab a comfy chair and your favorite beverage, and enjoy

[Zordon]

Thanks!!! But do they still make 4x AGP cards???

[rpertusio]

AGP 8X cards should be backwards compatible with 4X motherboards. (I haven't seen one that isn't, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.)

For a while, I used my AGP 8X (Radeon 9500 Pro) in a motherboard limited to 4X. Frankly, I saw no difference in 8X and 4X performance.

- rp

[Gait_Keeper]

yes 8x are backward compatible

and no real world benefits

I saw an article explaining it, if I can find it I'll post it , ok