How to Buy a Motherboard With an AGP Slot

The motherboard is the center of your computer system--the hardware component all of the other pieces need to directly interact with. Motherboards come with different types of slots that hold various expansion cards. An accelerated graphics port (AGP) slot is for adding on graphics cards. If you want to buy a new motherboard with an AGP slot, you will need to take into account all of the other hardware components on your machine to make sure they are compatible.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check to see that the case for your computer is ATX or Micro-ATX form factor. Find a motherboard with an AGP slot that is of the same form factor and will fit properly inside your computer case.

2. Look through the manual or packaging that came with your processor. Determine what type of socket the processor connects to--such as Slot B or Socket 370. Make sure the motherboard you choose has the same socket so that it will be compatible with your processor.

3. Find out if the speed of the AGP slot on the motherboard you are considering is 2X, 4Xor 8X. Compare the speed listing with the system requirements on the AGP-compatible graphics card you will be using. Purchase a motherboard that has an AGP slot that works at the same speed as the graphics card.

4. Consider how much random-access memory you will want in the system. Check to see how many RAM slots the motherboard has and the maximum amount of RAM it can handle--such as two or four gigabytes.

5. Take note of how many AGP slots the motherboard has and if it also has PCI expansion slots. Pick a motherboard with sufficient PCI expansion slots in addition to the AGP slot if you will be installing devices such as a sound card or an Ethernet card.

6. Point your Web browser to the motherboard manufacturer's website. Make sure the company has a working support area in case you run into problems installing the motherboard or using the AGP slot.

Tips & Warnings

• AGP technology has been phased out in favor of the faster PCI-Express technology. If you want to choose a motherboard that can handle the fastest and newest graphics cards, you may want to choose one that does not have an AGP slot.

References

• How to Choose a Motherboard