I have an old PC with an AGP 2X port and I have an AGP video card for it which works fine. If I replace my motherboard with a newer type with an AGP 4X or 8X port will the video card work ok but slower?

Thank
You are quite right to wonder about this. Many 4x / 8x slots will not accept a 2x card. You may need a new card. Speeds are backward compatible, so a 4x card will work in a 2x slot, but not always the other way around. Be careful because you could kill the motherboard.

In general MIXING 4x and 8x slots and cards is easier than trying to get an old 2x card to work in TODAY's hardware. Don't spoil the ship for the sake of a pennyworth of tar.

# Some motherboards including Intel i845 or 865, 875 chipsets based motherboards will not accept AGP 2x cards and they may even damage the motherboard. if you install the wrong type AGP card.

# Most video cards will accommodate two or more AGP slot types. For example current GeForce FX 5200 card by Jaton will support AGP 2x/ 4x or 8x slots.

# Also most motherboards will (if it has an AGP slot) will accommodate two or more types of cards. For example all current motherboards will accommodate AGP 4x or AGP8x type card. (Even though it may not support the additional data band width of AGP 8x)

# Most of the new motherboards have locking mechanism for card at the far end of AGP slot. Do not damage that. Follow the instruction on the motherboard MANUAL or take care to study the locking mechanism and release the lock when installing or removing cards.

# Some old AGP cards in early days had a jumper or dip switch to change between AGP 2x and 4X modes. If you are using one of them make sure you set it correctly.

this message for Contrex:

I just installed a PNY Technologies nVidia GeForce FX 5200 8x VGA video card into my computer. I have an Athalon 1.99 gig processor; 1.5 gigs of RAM; Windows XP Pro; Syntax Motherboard sv266m with VIA ProSavage DDR KM266 chipset. I received for father's day a Gateway 19" LCD monitor with 1440 x 900 resolution. I originally got a new video card because I could not find a resolution choice in my device display that said 1440 x 900 and a helpdesk person suggested to upgrade my display adapter. Currently my computer boots up and I get the Windows XP splash screen and then it goes to black - no blue Welcom screen and no access to my computer. I tried changing BIOS settings with the help of a systems administrator friend; tried booting in safe mode; tried failsafe settings to reboot - nada. Same thing - black after Windows splash screen. I tried plugging back into the original VGA port for my onboard display adapter; same thing. Someone suggested my motherboard/chipset may not support the GeForce FX 5200, but somwhow I doubt that, but....any ideas?OK, I see your motherboard is AGP 4X, per: http://www.shopping.com/xPF-Syntax-SYNTAX-FB266-DDR-VGA-SND-LAN

As contrex said, "all current motherboards will accommodate AGP 4x or AGP8x type card. (Even though it may not support the additional data band width of AGP 8x)." So, the card should work in your computer. Is the card new?

Is this the first time you've used an add-on card in lieu of your onboard video? What's the rated capacity of your computer's power supply?