North Bridge: 64-bit Memory Bus; AGP Video Card: 256-bit Memory Interface; Problem?

I want to upgrade my video card.

My ASUS A7V600 MB manual states for the North Bridge controller:

"The VIA KT600 supports AGP 8x mode, 400/333/266/200MHz Front Side Bus, and the latest 64-bit memory bus. "

The card I want to install is an XFX brand Geforce 6800 128 MB 256-bit DDR AGP 4x/8x. ( "Memory Interface: 256-bit ")

Without understanding the NB: "64-bit memory bus " and the AGP Card: "256-bit memory interface ", I am concerned that these differing specs will create problems when I try to boot with the AGP card.

I don't understand what the Video card's "256-bit memory interface" actually interfaces with.

Will this be an issue for me? Should I limit myself to a 64-bit AGP card?

 

Hi mailman,

No you won't have any trouble with that video card. The "64-bit memory bus" refers to the data rate between the system memory (RAM) and the chipset. The AGP (graphics) has it's own memory that runs on a lot larger data transfer rate eg., 256 bit. It interfaces with the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) on the graphics card.

The main thing to watch for is the AGP rating. A motherboard may have specifications to run 8X cards only, so it will not run 4X, 2X or 1X AGP cards.

That graphics card should run fine.

Matt

 

Great! Thanks, mattman.

You answered all my questions very well.