Does PCI-Express 16x make computer faster?
PCI-Express’ (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) real strength is having a huge capacity for future expansion in data bandwidth whereas AGP has reached the limits of the technology.
PCI-Express 16x is a type of video card and an advancement in the video card technology. Its connector has 164 pins, is 89 mm long and is intended to be used on the graphics port.
But it can only be used with motherboards that have PCI-Express slots. In fact, PCI-Express 16x slots are already available in place of the AGP graphics card slot on some motherboards. AGP may be starting to die rapidly as PCI express grows in popularity.
PCI-Express 16x connection is faster than AGP 8x but this connection is between the system and the video card.
This makes your computer run faster when you are running other applications. There may not be a huge difference between AGP and PCI-Express when it comes to chipsets.
If you have a video card that has a chipset for the PCI-Express and a bridge chipset for the AGP slot, then basically, PCI-Express will be faster.
This is because you don’t have to use the bridge chipset and you can have better bandwidth and high resolution when you are on an intense gaming situation.
Video cards are very important for gamers. If you opt to use your computer for intensive graphics like hard-core gaming, video editing and watching DVD movies, you can get a good video card such as the PCI-Express 16x.
If you are still happy with the AGP graphics performance, it is better to upgrade to PCI-Express 16x video card if you are ready to upgrade the processor and other computer components.