<hardware, graphics> (AGP) A bus specification by Intel
which gives low-cost 3D graphics cards faster access to
main memory on personal computers than the usual PCI
bus.
AGP dynamically allocates the PC's normal RAM to store the
screen image and to support texture mapping, z-buffering
and alpha blending.
Intel has built AGP into a chipset for its Pentium II
microprocessor. AGP cards are slightly longer than a PCI
card.
AGP operates at 66 MHz, doubled to 133 MHz, compared with
PCI's 33 Mhz. AGP allows for efficient use of frame buffer
memory, thereby helping 2D graphics performance as well.
AGP provides a coherent memory management design which allows
scattered data in system memory to be read in rapid bursts.
AGP reduces the overall cost of creating high-end graphics
subsystems by using existing system memory.
