Sapphire Readies HD 4650 AGP Accelerator

[btarunr]

Sapphire announced its first Radeon HD 4000 series accelerator designed for the legacy AGP-8X interface. Available in 512 MB and 1 GB variants, the Sapphire HD 4650 AGP uses the RV730 GPU clocked at 600 MHz, with the 128-bit DDR2 memory at 800 MHz. It uses a single-slot design, with a simple fan-heatsink for the GPU. A peculiar part about the PCB design is its 6-pin PCI-E power input. Hopefully a Molex cable tides over this. Outputs are care of two DVI-D and a composite connector. The cards have started being listed on online stores, priced at 72 Euro. This card isn't the first of its kind, with PowerColor having recently announced a similar accelerator.



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[mdm-adph]

Hey, better a 6-pin than that old crappy floppy-drive-style connector.

 

[kylew]

I wish they'd just let AGP die. I hope this is the last new AGP card they make.

 

[a111087]

lol @ 1gb ddr2

 

[shiny_red_cobra]

I wish they'd just let AGP die. I hope this is the last new AGP card they make.

AGP is dead. New motherboards don't have this socket anymore, so it means it's dead. Now, whether companies choose to still make cards for this socket is up to them, perhaps they think there is a market for these cards. Again, it's their gamble. If people with AGP motherboards go for these cards then good for them, if not, hopefully they don't lose too much out of it. But I'm happy they still make AGP cards, because there are some people out there who can't afford to buy a whole new system.

 

[pr0n Inspector]

The AGP zombie attacks again!

 

[newtekie1]

LOL at the 6-pin PCI-E power connector and the placement!

They expect people with AGP systems to have PCI-E power supplies?

 

[lemonadesoda]

LOL at the 6-pin PCI-E power connector and the placement!

Agree. What a SILLY position/location. I've rarely seen such a careless design fail.

They expect people with AGP systems to have PCI-E power supplies?

Many older power supplies, plus every new PS, has a 6-pin. Also, can easily use a cable converter. Better to use a 6 pin than a floppy connector. Prolly even a converter in the box for those that need it.

I wish they'd just let AGP die. I hope this is the last new AGP card they make.

Stuck record? Let s775 die. Let IDE die. Let PCI-E v1.0 die. Let OS 32bit die. Let Office XP/03 die. Let games patches die. Let TPU archives die. WTF?! NO! LET THERE BE SUPPORT. 5 YEARS.

PS. AGP GPUs are about as useful as PCI-E x1 GPUs. ie. not for everyone. But for those that need; appreciated.

 

[swaaye]

angrynesses!!!

 

[KainXS]

I say let it die,


die, die, die agp,

i want you to die

 

[newtekie1]

Many older power supplies, plus every new PS, has a 6-pin. Also, can easily use a cable converter. Better to use a 6 pin than a floppy connector. Prolly even a converter in the box for those that need it.

There are still plenty of new power supplies with no 6-pin. And I think I would rather have a 4-pin molex than a 6-pin to ensure compatibility. Hell, even a floppy connector would be better, IMO. I think it is far more likely for an AGP machine to have a floppy connector than a 6-pin PCI-E connector...though it is also probably pretty likely that the floppy connector is actually connected to a floppy...

Though, at least with a floppy you would only need one 4-pin molex for the converter, while with the 6-pin you would usually need 2.(Yes, I know they make 6-pin converters that only use one molex, but how many of those have you actually seen?).

 

[mtosev]

this is boring. AGP was replaced in 2004 with Pci-e. how long more until AGP dies? strange that there aren't any ISA cards being produced.

 

[lemonadesoda]

Perhaps no-one is making ISA cards, but plenty make PCI GPU cards! And some make USB and PC-card GPUs too! Horses for courses. Some people need/want to replace existing AGP cards without replacing a whole system. Makes sense that a product is available... remember that ATI is NO LONGER making older chipsets... so you cant "keep making" older cards for replacement/warranty, etc.

This GPU is a perfect upgrade for an "older" corporate computer that now needs to drive 2x DVI outs, or have a more snappy display. The computer is already written off, and the low investment of a GPU is an immediate write off. Buying a whole new system hits the balance sheet and cashflow at a time when most companies cant afford. Esp. as most "office users" dont need a faster CPU.

 

[MadClown]

I herd something about AGP coming back as AGP 32x, but i cant remember if I found it in a random google search or it came to me in a dream...

 

[Mussels]

Perhaps no-one is making ISA cards, but plenty make PCI GPU cards! And some make USB and PC-card GPUs too! Horses for courses. Some people need/want to replace existing AGP cards without replacing a whole system. Makes sense that a product is available... remember that ATI is NO LONGER making older chipsets... so you cant "keep making" older cards for replacement/warranty, etc.

PCI slots are still made for motherboards. AGP is not.


Yes there is a market for it.... a very small one, that is already covered by the second hand market.

 

[DaveK]

Ewww, an AGP 4650 now I feel dirty for getting a 4650 lol*. Seriously, WHY? Only reason to use AGP is if you have an old motherboard and because they're releasing AGP cards people will stick to their AGP mobos keeping AGP alive, even just barely.

Why 2 DVI? Why not VGA, HDMI and DVI like the 4650 Ultimate Edition? The PCI-E 4650 came out like 10 months ago why even bother releasing an AGP version this late when there's the better 4670 for less? The 4670 Ultimate Edition is €63.50 here, €72 for an AGP card in 2009, seriously? The PCI-E version is €55. Buy a bloody PCI-E mobo for €72

*I didn't want to buy the 4650 because it uses DDR2, but the 4670 was out of stock until September 1st and I needed a card asap.

 

[t77snapshot]

Another AGP card released Why?:shadedshu Let the dream die! Let it die man!

 

[tkpenalty]

you americans seem to love killing so much o_o...

 

[Mussels]

you americans seem to love killing so much o_o...

AGP is a known terrorist organisation.

 

[tkpenalty]

AGP is a known terrorist organisation.

thats subjective. Its just an organisation of old age pensioners who are sorta draining the economy.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

I dislike this forum sometimes - especially when AGP threads are 'discussed'. Seriously, have some maturity. AGP is obviously not defunct for those that still use it. If you don't want or need an AGP card - then this thread isn't for you and comments regarding AGP cards to die is grossly unnecessary.

 

[Mussels]

I do completely agree with criminal, we really SHOULDNT be sitting here bagging out the few AGP users left.

Its just so damned tempting...

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Considering you're a moderator Mussels I would have thought you wouldn't have that attitude but unfortunately you do. However, this thread for me has surived it's purpose.

 

[Mussels]

my official stance and my personal stance differ.

not that i think "AGP should go die in a fire" but i really dont see the point of them releasing new cards.

if these people are so worried about spare parts, or better performance... go to a cheap PCI-E system, and save themselves the hassle.

 

[RadeonProVega]

I have no plans to use PCI anymore, and i wouldn't suggest anyone use pci anymore either, unless they have no choice, however as for AGP, i see a reason to a point, but not really also, because there isn't alot of cards to choose from.

So at this point, i would say there isn't any reason to use AGP or pci , unless you are stuck with a pci or agp rig. So i am not hating on them, nice to see more rare cards for people who enjoy them.