The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) has ushered in a new era of 3D realism for PCs. AGP is a high bandwidth bus connecting the graphics controller with main system memory at 133MHz. This allows graphics features to use main system memory in addition to dedicated graphics memory.

Compaq offers cutting-edge Synchronous Graphics RAM to boost performance of graphics intensive applications. The Presario 5000 and 5100 Series will use 2MB and 4MB respectively of dedicated SGRAM for video memory. The SGRAM operates at a blazing fast speed of 100 MHz maximizing 2D and 3D graphics performance. This contrasts with other offerings from competitors who ship consumers either SDRAM or EDO memory for graphics.

The vast amount of system memory available for 3D graphics provided by AGP results in the ultimate in 3D realism without requiring excessive amounts of dedicated graphics memory. System memory is simply allocated to graphics when required. Once graphics operations are complete, the memory is free for use by other programs. This flexible use of system memory provides spectacular graphics with a fraction of the dedicated memory and cost otherwise required.

While AGP provides an excellent platform to speed up and expand 3D processing, the output is only as good as the 3D engine that drives it. Using ATI�s 3D Rage LT Pro, the Presario 5000 and 5100 is delivering the most comprehensive 3D AGP engine in its class. In addition to supporting Compaq�s stunning new flat panel displays, the 3D Rage LT Pro provides superior 3D acceleration and comprehensive 3D support including a triangle set-up engine, single pass trilinear filtering, six perspective correct texturing modes, video texturing, Gouraud shading and a host of 3D special effects.

The ATI 3D Rage Pro LT takes advantage of the 2X AGP bus to create textures and z-buffering far beyond the 2 or 4MB limits of dedicated graphics memory. Running at 133MHz, the AGP graphics subsystem is able to serve up unbelievable 3D realism and performance over 1X and PCI 3D graphics. The Compaq solution provides a dramatic increase in graphics throughput over 1X AGP and its predecessor the PCI bus.

Not only does Compaq deliver awesome 3D graphics at mainstream prices, the AGP graphics is actually delivering greater value by using system memory when necessary to crank through intensive 3D graphics. The result is that the consumer did not pay for unneeded dedicated graphics memory yet still enjoys the full benefit of an incredibly realistic 3D experience.

ATI�s 1 million triangle per second setup engine and 4MB on chip texture cache combined with 2X AGP running at 133MHz create ultra-realistic action and vivid images in 3D supported web sites. ATI delivers special effects that enhance lighting, texturing and fogging effects. Moreover, 2-4MB of 100MHz SGRAM accelerates the performance far beyond today�s mainstream graphics sub-systems giving the user an unexpectedly satisfying 3D experience.

Incoming, the most exciting new AGP game. When running the game point out the vivid colors and textures, especially in the sky and the buildings. Be sure to show off the realism of the cannons blasting off rounds, the structures exploding, along with fogging and translucency effects.