Member Avatar for sa_shadow

I just bought a Radeon 9800 Pro AIW and installed it in a Syntax s648 motherboard (http://www.syntaxusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=109), and it works fine except that I can't get it the AGP up to 8x. I've updated all the drivers as well as the bios but I still can't get it. I know my motherboard supports 8x, but I can't find any options for it in the bios.

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Quick context: already flashed the BIOS and updated drivers and says the manual does not show an AGP 8x option. is right that a BIOS option is where it would be, and is right that real-world gains are often modest. Below are the likely causes and practical checks to isolate the problem.

AGP mode is negotiated between the video card and the motherboard/chipset at boot. If the board or BIOS is limiting the AGP link, the card will fall back to 4x and you will not be able to force 8x from the graphics driver or the ATI control panel. Some vendor BIOSes simply do not expose an AGP speed selector (they use Auto) or intentionally lock the link for stability.

Practical troubleshooting steps:

  • Confirm the chipset model on the board (silkscreen or manual) and install the latest chipset/northbridge drivers — not just the video drivers. Vendor chipset drivers influence AGP negotiation.
  • Clear CMOS (pull the battery or use the jumper) and load BIOS defaults after the BIOS flash; faulty settings can force slower negotiation.
  • Inspect the AGP slot and card seating; a poorly seated card or bent pins can cause a lower link mode.
  • Use a hardware reporting utility (PowerStrip, RivaTuner or similar) or test the card in another known-8x board to verify the card actually negotiates 8x elsewhere.
  • Do not rely on the ATI control panel to change AGP speed; it cannot override BIOS/chipset negotiation.
  • If the board still insists on 4x but the chipset should support 8x, check vendor BIOS changelogs or contact Syntax for a BIOS that exposes or fixes AGP 8x support.

Final note: unless planning extreme benchmarks, the performance difference between AGP4x and AGP8x on a Radeon 9800 Pro is usually small, but it is reasonable to want the board running as specified. If testing shows the card hits 8x in another board, escalate with Syntax support or request an RMA.

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Member Avatar for suRoot

it will be in the bios.. it will be in there somwhere.. you may of over looked it, see if you can spot 4X anywhere

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

Have you tried the ATI control panel?

Regardless, there is hardly any performance difference between AGP4X and AGP8X.

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