2-4xAGP on 1xAGP slot

[Buggeroo]

Is it possible to use a graphics card supporting 4xAGP on a mobo that only supports 1xAGP? I would think that it would somehow be possible to make the card run on the slower speed, or am I wrong?

My graphics card is a Hightech HIS Geforce2 MX400(supporting 4xAGP) on an Acorp 5ali61 mobo(supproting only 1xAGP) with an AMD K6-2 500 Mhz CPU

Please help as this causes servere problems with stability

 

[stuartd]

No, you can't. The MX400 requires a AGPv2.0 compliant socket which you don't have. The card is trying to drag too much power through your AGP slot - that is what is causing the stability problems

 

[teknikal]

This can get confusing but bare with me.

Older mobos that supported AGP when it was first released supported what is now known as 1x. However, the AGP 2.0 standard was released shortly after and many mobos supported this (but still ran at 1x). So, you'll need to check your mobo's website or manual for details on whether it supports AGP 2.0. If the manual doesn't even mention 2.0, then it was probably released before it was available.

Here's an excerpt I found at Intel's website:

"The AGP retention mechanism is made for use with AGP cards that meet the AGP 2.0 specification. These cards have a special slot at the back of the card that interlocks with a small plastic stud on the retention mechanism. Cards that do not meet the AGP 2.0 specification should not be used with the retention mechanism, because the small plastic stud may interfere with correct installation and retention of the card"


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Bottom line: Although you have an AGP 4x card, it doesn't mean that it won't run in a 1x slot. With the correct driver settings, it can be clocked down to work. Like stuartd said, the slot just has to be AGP 2.0 compliant.

regards,
tek