AGP Pro
The AGP 2.0 Specification introduced 4X mode, but had some deficiencies with regard to workstation graphics cards. In particular, AGP 2.0 allows a maximum of 25W of power, which is inadequate for high-end professional graphics cards. If AGP was to be usable for professional graphics adapters, Intel needed to make provision for the additional needs of such cards. To do so, Intel extended the AGP 2.0 Specification by adding the AGP Pro Addendum, which defines the following features:
- AGP Pro connector
The AGP Pro connector expands the standard 132-pin AGP connector to 180 pins, by extending both ends of the standard AGP slot. A standard AGP 1X, 2X, or 4X card functions in an AGP Pro slot, but the converse is not true.
- Increased power
A standard AGP 2.0 slot provides at most 25W of 3.3/5V power. An AGP Pro slot provides additional 3.3V power, adds 12V power, and can provide up to 110W of total power.
- Multiple card/multiple slot support
AGP Pro permits using multiple cards in multiple slots. An AGP Pro solution can use the AGP Pro slot alone, or the AGP Pro slot and one or two adjacent PCI slots, which need be only standard 32-bit, 33 MHz, 133 MB/s PCI slots. Those adjacent slot positions can be used to supply additional electrical power, PCI bus functionality, mechanical support, or simply additional space. A 25W AGP Pro card may occupy only the AGP Pro slot. A 50W AGP Pro card (or cards) may occupy the AGP Pro slot and one PCI slot. A 110W AGP Pro card (or cards) may occupy ...