Any AGP Port in a Storm?

My brother just gave me his old Pentium III PC minus a graphics card. I opened up its case to add the AGP 2X graphics card I took from my former computer, but the AGP slot in the P-III PC is much longer than the slot in my old system. Can I safely add my old graphics card to the newer computer's AGP slot?

Peter Miller, Topeka, Kansas

You probably can, but before adding an old AGP card to a new motherboard, make sure the two are compatible.

There are three different types of AGP slots: the original AGP 1.0 1X/2X slot, the AGP 2.0 2X/4X slot, and the AGP Pro slot. The 1X/2X version is the shortest and can be distinguished from the 4X type by a small separator that divides it into two sections. The 4X slot also has extra pins at one end.

From your description, your PC probably has an AGP Pro slot. These slots have an extension added to the end of the 4X slot without the extra pins. While the AGP Pro slots are designed for top-end graphics cards costing over $1000, they are also found frequently on motherboards used in mainstream PCs.

Because the AGP Pro slot is backward compatible, a 1X/2X or 2X/4X AGP card will work in the slot. But take care when inserting a 1X/2X card to avoid incorrectly inserting it into the AGP Pro extension. Often these extensions come with a cover to prevent this, but the covers can fall off.

Also make sure your graphics card and motherboard support the same operating voltages. The original AGP 1.0 spec called for motherboards and cards that operate at 3.3V, and the AGP 2.0 spec added support for operation at 1.5V. If your old graphics card operates at 3.3V, you'll need a motherboard that supports 3.3V AGP. Likewise, a card that runs at 1.5V needs a corresponding AGP slot.

Fortunately, many motherboards come with 'universal' AGP slots that support either voltage, and many of the latest graphics cards support both voltages as well. Not all setups do, however. A few motherboards out there run exclusively at 1.5V and won't support the older 3.3V cards. Check with your motherboard and graphics card vendors to determine your hardware's precise requirements.

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