How to Tell AGP from PCI?

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) are two common types of bus interfaces on computer motherboards. AGP slots are designed to allow AGP video cards to connect to a motherboard, while PCI slots are all-purpose expansion slots. Many types of devices, such as network cards, sound cards and modems, can attach to a motherboard using PCI slots. If you plan to install a new device inside your computer, you may need to distinguish between the AGP and PCI slots.

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Then, how we can distinguish the AGP and PCI? Follow the way below may help.

1. Turn off your computer and unplug all the cables.
2. Remove the screws along the back of the case and set the case panel aside. The expansion slots are typically located along the bottom back corner of the case, on the motherboard.
3. Look for several parallel slots that are identical in color, shape and size. These are the PCI ports. Most computers have several PCI ports (sometimes 4 or more), but motherboards will have 1 AGP slot at most.
4. Compare port color. PCI slots are usually white or some other light color while AGP slots are usually a dark brownish color. If the motherboard has one dark-colored slot and several light-colored slots, the AGP port is the port with the dark color and the PCI ports are the lightly colored ones.
5. Check port position. On most motherboards, the AGP slot is located above the PCI slots when the case is standing upright.

Tips & Warnings:

• AGP video cards are outdated. Few new computers come with AGP-compatible motherboards.
• Most new video cards are built into the motherboard or use PCI Express card slots.

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