Yes, well PCIe has nothing to do with graphics cards. To run a graphics card that would be able to handle current games, you would need at least PCIe 2x which has more bandwith than what AGP 8x has to offer. PCIe 1x does not have enough bandwith.
AGP won't be gone anytime soon, but that isn't because of the software. That is because of video card manufacturers. If it were up to chipset makers like ATi or nVidia, AGP would be gone in a second because PCIe allows for the necessary resources to produce extremely powerful GPUs and AGP does not offer these resources.
However, due to the discontent of computer gamers and users, graphics card mfrs. need to take into consideration the market in which AGP still holds the majority. In order for companies like eVGA or XFX to make money, they must have AGP versions of vid cards available. And what better way to make that possible than by using a PCIe to AGP bridge on a native PCIe chipset.
It is just the way things work. When AGP came around, it took a while for it to catch on. History is repeating itself with the PCIe situation. Things take time to catch on. As more and more of the market begins to switch over to PCIe, AGP will be downplayed. Eventually, when PCIe controls most of the market, garphics mfrs. will cease production of AGP cards and then force the existing AGP users to switch to PCIe.
You have to agree though. PCIe has everything playing in its favor. A Socket 939 PCIe motherboard can be had for $122 with all the bells and whistles which is very cheap. A Socket 939 AGP motherboard can be had for $148 that is quality. An LGA775 motherboard with PCIe can be had for a mere $80 and an AGP one is $88.
Wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the bomb on AGP earlier!
AGP won't be gone anytime soon, but that isn't because of the software. That is because of video card manufacturers. If it were up to chipset makers like ATi or nVidia, AGP would be gone in a second because PCIe allows for the necessary resources to produce extremely powerful GPUs and AGP does not offer these resources.
However, due to the discontent of computer gamers and users, graphics card mfrs. need to take into consideration the market in which AGP still holds the majority. In order for companies like eVGA or XFX to make money, they must have AGP versions of vid cards available. And what better way to make that possible than by using a PCIe to AGP bridge on a native PCIe chipset.
It is just the way things work. When AGP came around, it took a while for it to catch on. History is repeating itself with the PCIe situation. Things take time to catch on. As more and more of the market begins to switch over to PCIe, AGP will be downplayed. Eventually, when PCIe controls most of the market, garphics mfrs. will cease production of AGP cards and then force the existing AGP users to switch to PCIe.
You have to agree though. PCIe has everything playing in its favor. A Socket 939 PCIe motherboard can be had for $122 with all the bells and whistles which is very cheap. A Socket 939 AGP motherboard can be had for $148 that is quality. An LGA775 motherboard with PCIe can be had for a mere $80 and an AGP one is $88.
Wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the bomb on AGP earlier!
