I am upgrading this PC to 768mb Ram 850mhz processor. I currently have a AGP ATI 128 pro 32mg graphics card. Was thinking about updating to a PCI card. Any recomendations. Here is some details on the motherboard. My OS I have installed at this time is Fedora 11.

http://www.thetechzone.com/reviews/m...7m/index.shtml
http://www.motherboard.cz/mb/asus/K7M.htm

PCI graphics is a downgrade from AGP. AGP is better than PCI because it is on its own separate bus that does not have to fight with other devices. If you think you can buy a PCIe for your PCI than you are wrong. A PCIe graphics card will not fit a PCI because of its fool proof configuration.

I suggest get a GeForce6 or GeForce7 AGP card. Stay away from GeForceFX because they are worst than GeForce4.

One thing about the old board I am sure its limited to 2x technology did not know for sure if a newer 4x would work in the AGP. I know it would fit but would it work?

Good advice...

Electro is correct in his advice. You may be able to get a Nvidia 6xxx or 7xxx cheaply, new or used. Several of the basic models still in production come with passive cooling, which is an extra convenience if you do not need higher performance. Check on the resolution of the screen you are using to see that the card is good enough. A basic card will play a DVD film or a flash-video online, and shouldn't require you to put much new money into an old system.

An 8x AGP may well function at 4x and 2x, and a 4x at 2x, but you had best check the specifications of the AGP slot to be sure.

http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/faqs/kb/10,63.html

That is what I was wondering if the 8X will function on the 2X. I just checked and I have and the ATI Rage Pro 128 32mb card which is a 4X (at least that is what the ad said). I just checked the manuel on asus web site an it is AGP 2.0 which is 2X. So a 8X could work? I have several upgrades I.m fixing to do, I'm going to do them first. The monitor is older CRT. However everything goes good on the upgrades I may invest in another monitor. Thanks all for the advice.

When I get done with this dinasaur I'll have 768 mb RAM, 850 mhz processor plus the new video card. I am sure putting a good card in would help compensate for the slower processor and RAM. However should make a decent Linux system.

I have the Geforce 6200 256 mb card in my main PC. I may have to try it in the Linux system. I just checked Nvidia website and they state that the Geforce 8x line will operate at the voltage of the 2.0 technology of the 2 and 4X. I think that is what you all were telling me all along. One last edit. I checked the box on my Geforce Card and it states AGP 2.0 or higher.

Good for linux...

That combination should work well enough to let you use one of the main, standard linux distros with KDE or Gnome,

Linux is plug and play. You plug things in and and play around til they work. Don't forget to check your BIOS for AGP settings.

Have fun.

Another issue you have to contend with is that AGP cards can either be driven by 3.3v or 1.5v. I suspect your motherboard only supplies 3.3v and the newer AGP cards that you can buy can only be plugged into a 1.5v slot.

Looking at your motherboard, the AGP key is near the top of the picture, which would imply a 3.3v slot. If you look at an image of an A7N8X you see the AGP slot has two notches, allowing it to run either AGP Pro or AGP 1.5v cards. Having had a quick look at the K7M manual, your K7M is definitely 3.3v

As for 1x to 8x, they are all backwards and forwards compatible.

I can remember when VL-Bus graphics cards were all the rage :-)

I have learned a lot today in the AGP technology. However I am still confused some. I did find this site that is very informative. http://www.playtool.com/pages/agpcompat/agp.html So looks like I need a card that is made for 3.3 volts. There is a list of a lot of cards and their compatability's. Acording to the chart I probably need to go with a Geforce 5000 series.

For 3.3 compatable...

You can use a card that is for 3.3v or that will function in a 3.3 volt slot. Look at the pictures under"What kind of expansion slot..."in the the link you provided. The rule is, if it fits, it works.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/vidslots/slots.html

Take a look at your Nvidia 6200 card and the AGP slot on your motherboard to see if they fit together. If so, stick it in and boot a live-cd as a test.