Run AGP card in PCI compatibility mode??

~~Optimummind~~ · Dec 11, 2002, 07:45 AM

Is there a way to run my PNY GF4-Ti 4200 AGP card in PCI compatibility mode? When I was looking through the manual that came with my card, I saw in the troubleshooting section that I could make the AGP card use system memory resources if I could run it under PCI compatibility mode.

Although it didn't say that doing so would improve the performance of the card, I would still like to try it since my card only has 64MB of DDR memory on it.

Thanks in advance

Matth · Dec 12, 2002, 12:11 PM

You mean the option to use a certain amount of system memory for textures in PCI mode ?? (a driver option)

In AGP mode, it should do it BETTER, according to the level of the AGP Aperture in BIOS.

Opinion is divided as to:
1. AGP aperture INCLUDES system access to card memory, as well as card access to system memory.
2. AGP Aperture is system memory to card ONLY

If "1" is correct, then an aperture of 64 would allow only the 64Mb on card to be effective - if "2" is correct, it would pool 64Mb of System memory for AGP textures.

The System info in 3DMark 2000 reports video memory (on card) and texture memory (which seems to be AGP aperture minus video memory, so long as the Aperture is within supported limits)

This seems to favour the first premise - the TOTAL mappable via AGP on both card and system.

So AGP aperture 128 should do nicely, check for any advantage with 256 if you have 512Mb RAM or better.

Louie6666 · Dec 12, 2002, 12:48 PM

When I tried testing apertures I didn't get any real gains above 32meg, 64meg gave slightly better results on my system, but they were so marginal, that I couldn't justify the extra 32meg, best thing is to test it on your rig at different settings & check impact in games & benchies...not much using all that texture memory in most games & apps

Zardon · Dec 12, 2002, 01:35 PM

agp aperture generally doesnt make a lot of difference and is very dependant on your own rig. 64 and 128 are generally good settings.

I remember a long time ago when I had a tyan multiprocessor motherboard if I didnt have the aperture set at 256 it wouldnt even boot at all !

UberLord · Dec 12, 2002, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
agp aperture generally doesnt make a lot of difference and is very dependant on your own rig. 64 and 128 are generally good settings.

If you have a Parhelia then use 256 - a recent Beyond3D article showed that nearly every benchmark gets a 5-20% speed boost with a 256 meg aperture over any other size. Wierd huh?

Zardon · Dec 12, 2002, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UberLord
If you have a Parhelia then use 256 - a recent Beyond3D article showed that nearly every benchmark gets a 5-20% speed boost with a 256 meg aperture over any other size. Wierd huh?

ive always used 256 aperture, and still do, I get a minor improvement in 3dmark, but I used to find at either 64 or 128 meg settings I would crash or lock out more often.

Matth · Dec 12, 2002, 03:50 PM

http://www.technologyvault.co.uk/gef...og=gef&lang=en

256 is supposed to be the "sweet spot" For Geforce series as well.

My 2MX does not gain any reported texture memory in 3dMark 2000, or show any increase in the 128Mb RAM area in Device resources, so I do not believe the 2MX uses any more than 128.

As far as I can verify, the memory is NOT "hard reserved" like that allocated to onboard graphics, but represents a MAXIMUM that can be used.

Dec 11, 2002, 07:45 AM	#1
~~Optimummind~~ Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Orange, California Posts: 632 Rep Power: 0	Run AGP card in PCI compatibility mode?? Is there a way to run my PNY GF4-Ti 4200 AGP card in PCI compatibility mode? When I was looking through the manual that came with my card, I saw in the troubleshooting section that I could make the AGP card use system memory resources if I could run it under PCI compatibility mode. Although it didn't say that doing so would improve the performance of the card, I would still like to try it since my card only has 64MB of DDR memory on it. Thanks in advance

Dec 12, 2002, 12:48 PM	#3
Louie6666 Just One Sick-Lizard Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 501 Rep Power: 0	When I tried testing apertures I didn't get any real gains above 32meg, 64meg gave slightly better results on my system, but they were so marginal, that I couldn't justify the extra 32meg, best thing is to test it on your rig at different settings & check impact in games & benchies...not much using all that texture memory in most games & apps __________________

Dec 12, 2002, 12:11 PM	#2
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	You mean the option to use a certain amount of system memory for textures in PCI mode ?? (a driver option) In AGP mode, it should do it BETTER, according to the level of the AGP Aperture in BIOS. Opinion is divided as to: 1. AGP aperture INCLUDES system access to card memory, as well as card access to system memory. 2. AGP Aperture is system memory to card ONLY If "1" is correct, then an aperture of 64 would allow only the 64Mb on card to be effective - if "2" is correct, it would pool 64Mb of System memory for AGP textures. The System info in 3DMark 2000 reports video memory (on card) and texture memory (which seems to be AGP aperture minus video memory, so long as the Aperture is within supported limits) This seems to favour the first premise - the TOTAL mappable via AGP on both card and system. So AGP aperture 128 should do nicely, check for any advantage with 256 if you have 512Mb RAM or better.

Dec 12, 2002, 01:35 PM	#4
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	agp aperture generally doesnt make a lot of difference and is very dependant on your own rig. 64 and 128 are generally good settings. I remember a long time ago when I had a tyan multiprocessor motherboard if I didnt have the aperture set at 256 it wouldnt even boot at all !

Dec 12, 2002, 03:50 PM	#7
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	http://www.technologyvault.co.uk/gef...og=gef&lang=en 256 is supposed to be the "sweet spot" For Geforce series as well. My 2MX does not gain any reported texture memory in 3dMark 2000, or show any increase in the 128Mb RAM area in Device resources, so I do not believe the 2MX uses any more than 128. As far as I can verify, the memory is NOT "hard reserved" like that allocated to onboard graphics, but represents a MAXIMUM that can be used.