As of August 2010, AGP 3.0 is the latest verision of this technology.
Like a processor, the video card comes in an assortment of prices, specifications and structures, depending on its intended purpose. Some use an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), first introduced to consumers in 1997.
History
Accelerated Graphics Port technology was introduced along with the Intel 440LX Pentium II chipset. It changed the way graphical information made its way to the system processor. The idea behind the cards was to increase the speed at which the video chipset spoke with the processor, leading to smoother and more vivid visual graphics.
Structure
Accelerated-graphics port video cards cannot add on to existing graphics cards. They use a dedicated and direct line of transmission between the video chipset and processor to improve processing speeds. They do not connect with the peripheral component interconnect bus, leading to increased system bandwidth. The video subsystem operates independently from the other computer components, leading to increased video data transfer speeds.
Product Examples
The Visiontek HD 3650 AGP 1GB, which supports high-definition gaming, multi-monitor setups and Microsoft's patented DirectX 10.1, is an example of a video card that uses accelerated video port technology. NVIDIA's GeForce4 MX video card line also uses accelerated graphics card technology.
Tags: video card, Accelerated Graphics, Accelerated Graphics Port, Graphics Port, leading increased, uses accelerated, video chipset