Cost of the cards should be almost the same [at least it is wholesale].  The
basic difference as I understand it is that the AGP is a newer/faster bus
specifically designed for video.  Performance response will be better with
the AGP, but you may only notice it if you use your computer for something
in which video response is critical, such as gaming or perhaps CAD work.

One drawback to AGP, is that since SVGA is not a fully developed standard,
card makers use slightly different methods for some of their enhancements.
As this is a brand new world of computing,some of your older software may
not work properly with the AGP card.  For instance, Reachout version 7.0
works perfectly with the ATI xpert@work 4meg PCI video card.  If you install
Reachout 7.0 on a machine with an ATI xpert@work 4meg AGP video card,
Windows 95 will not boot except in safe mode.  The only way to get the
system to work is to upgrade Reachout to version 8.0.

Bottom line is that if you have a need for the AGP, then go for it.
However, if you do not have a specific need, then it *may* be less touble to
stick with PCI.

Mike Buraczewski
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Gerke <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [PCBUILD] AGP vs PCI


|I am considering an upgrade soon from my 486DX/100 to a AMD K6 chip and
|board, and would like to know if I should opt for the larger ATX board
|with AGP or stick with my baby AT format and PCI.
|What difference will I see and what about the cost of the associated
|video cards?