AGP Aperture Size
Print
I am currently running a semi-old computer: a 3GHz Pentium 4 on an Asus P4C800-E with an AGP expansion slot. It has 4GB of PC3200 DDR, a 500GB hard drive, and a BFG GeForce 7800 GC 265MB videocard on the AGP slot.
I’m getting ready to upgrade to a newer AGP card: the HIS Radeon 4670 1GB, to be exact. What size should I set my AGP aperture to? I know the basic concept behind the tech—the aperture sets the maximum size of system memory that can be used for an additional frame buffer by the videocard. So if I’m moving to a card with more GDDR, should I set the aperture smaller or larger?
—Bill Walker
Bill, in the Olden Days, AGP aperture let you use system resources for video memory if you were running out of videocard RAM, and the common advice was to set your aperture size to half your available system memory.
Newer videocards, however, have much more memory than earlier models. With 1GB of GDDR on your new card, you should be fine with an aperture of 64MB to 128MB. You might want to try running 3DMark with varying aperture sizes to see where your system performs best. It could be as low as 16MB; it probably won’t be higher than 64MB.
We should mention, however, that most of our editors advise against spending any more money on an AGP system. We’d suggest saving the $130 or so that that card will run you and putting it toward a new machine; $600 will build a significantly faster rig.
 |
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION Are flames shooting out of the back of your rig? First, grab a fire extinguisher and douse the flames. Once the pyrotechnic display has fizzled, email the doctor at doctor@maximumpc.com for advice on how to solve your technological woes. |
More like this
majorsuave
December 13, 2009 at 9:08am
"We should mention, however, that most of our editors advise against spending any more money on an AGP system. We’d suggest saving the $130 or so that that card will run you and putting it toward a new machine; $600 will build a significantly faster rig."
How minimal is that statement for maximum pc!
Squeezing every bit of juice off that old AGP rig is what thou shalt do.
I am sure a lot of us have old AGP systems used as a server, the kitchen pc, the garage pc or the kid's. Every once in a while, putting new life in an older rig is nice.
And, as for this particular P4 system it`s not THAT useless. Still can play probably a fair amount of games at conservative settings
Orionsword
December 09, 2009 at 9:05pm
Well for those looking for a way out of agp to pci-express
This motherboard was a great Transition Board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157115
I got it two year's ago used a Pentium D 820 plus a Bfg 7800gs Oc 256mb edition plus the old DDR 400 Memory upgraded that to DDR2 667
Sold the 7800gs bought a Pci- Express card Msi 8800gt Oc 512mb
Since then I upgraded to a intel P43 motherboard and passed my old system down to my brother which he still uses today
DBsantos77
December 09, 2009 at 5:41pm
/rant
-Santos
Teh Rig:
AMD Phenom 720 (Unlocked to Quad, Stable @ 3.6 Ghz 1.45v)
Gigabyte Micro ATX 785gx Motherboard
G.Skill 4GB 1333 DDR3 8-8-8-21 @ 1.6v
HIS ATI Radeon HD4670 (CCC OC'd)
550w Corsai
pellier
December 09, 2009 at 2:27pm
The people who send letters in to the doctor usually aren't very tech savy or else theywould use the itnernets to find things out.
deismanj
December 09, 2009 at 2:24pm
That's old. I thought my system was bad, I know I need a new one but don't have any money, this economy really cost me... I have a Pentium Dual Core 1.6GHz, 2GB ram, and an AGP ATI x1650 Pro... I keep dreaming of the day I can get a new one.... :(
Yusonice
December 09, 2009 at 2:55pm
Your e2160 is decent.
Just overclock it to 3ghz and update videocard, you'll be fine
jrocknyc
December 09, 2009 at 2:02pm
What an unMaximum question!
Should we start looking out for articles on sewing machines next? Or a shoot-out of the best rug cleaners perhaps? Will we be seeing Tide or Palmolive sporting "Kick Ass" awards in the near future? :P
tugboat_2
December 09, 2009 at 4:27pm
At least the "Doc" is trying to help someone instead of being a smart ass. It was a valid question from someone who can't afford to aquire a new machine. Instead is trying to get a few more month's or years out of the one he has.
But I guess it is a good boost to your ego to denigrate someone else so everyone knows what a whizbang geek you are.
If you can't dazzel em with Brilliance, baffle em with bull puckey. (From the tome; Murphy's Law, Annex 5, Smooth Recoveries)
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
We introduce Intel's latest class of tablet killers and review 4 of the first Ultra...
Where have all the memorable videogame enemies gone?
This month's issue
Feature
11 Hardware Hacks
Feature
Overclock Your CPU
How-To
Supercharge Your Smartphone
Build It
A Powerful $830 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Multi-Monitor Usage On The Rise http://t.co/eWfJfCEG9 hours 21 min ago
- maximumpc: Windows 8 Consumer Preview Coming On February 29 http://t.co/3Nd04FdR15 hours 9 min ago
- maximumpc: Can RIM *ever* catch a break? Not today! App World numbers not as great as previously reported http://t.co/3ERRhr311 day 10 hours ago
