What is the difference between AGP and PCI graphics cards?

Answer: AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) cards serve the same purpose as PCI graphics cards. However, the AGP interface, which was created by our buddies at Intel, has become the more popular choice for PCs. Part of the reason for this is that AGP cards manage memory better than PCI cards. The AGP interface can actually use your computer's standard memory as well as the video memory to help boost video performance. So, if you have an AGP slot in your computer, I'd go with an AGP card. If you only have PCI slots, however, a PCI graphics card isn't going to be much different.

Published: March 21, 2000 — by Per Christensson