is PCI that bad for video card?

[GenIV]

just wondering, I'm able to get a system for pretty cheap at P4 2.4ghz but the mobo have no AGP slot.

now I"m considering getting a PCI vidoe card but seems like the fastest PCI based video card I can get that I find is the Radeion 7500.

my question is are AGP video cards that much better than PCI?

I seen some bench marks of similiar video card getting smiliar scores with PCI and AGP versions.

the advantages I can see of aGP is being able to use system ram for video memory.

but with videocard having 128meg/256 meg of rams is it really necessary to get memory from the system?

[muzikjunkie]

yes it is that bad, and believe me i have first hand experience with it, the biggest problem is the limited upgrade, the most powerful card i can put in my computer now is a Radeon 9100, which is ok, but its no GF Ti4200. I didn't even think they made P4 motherboards w/o AGP, since most dont have on-board video and even then there should be an agp slot. but if you want anything better than on-board, you may as well just get the fastest PCI card you can find, but you're much better off just getting a new motherboard all-together

[trogman]

If your mobo can support a P4 2.4Ghz but without an AGP slot, I am guessing there's some kind of onboard video, which should be fairly good and much better than putting a PCI video card.

[WaRmAsTeR]

I doubt that onboard video would be better than a stand alone video card...
In my experience, onboard video does not do any good 3D stuff and puts stress on memory bandwith, thus reducing overall performance...

[Sandro]

If you can avoid going PCI with your video card, do so. Ideally, you'll want a mobo that can support AGP but you could very well be fine with what you've got (assuming you're doing little to no gaming). If this is for gaming then definitely get AGP. It'll be worth it in the end.

[Jabberwocky]

There is a reason that system is cheap! You get what you pay for. While that motherboard may be just fine for desktop applications, it is clearly not suitable for high performance gaming. If you want to be able to play the latest games, then DO NOT buy that computer. you will certainly be disappointed! There is more to a computer than just cpu speed.

[Learux]

Listen to those peeps. You will, I repeat you will regret buying this computer(if you want to do any gaming!!!)

For desktop, internet and email it is fine but for any gaming it will suck!!!

PCI cards are no good so listen to us and don't buy.

Learux