THE WHATIS.COM WORD-OF-THE-DAY November 23, 2001 Accelerated Graphics Port ______________ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Library of Computer & Information Sciences
Buy three books for $1.99, get the 4th book FREE! Library of Computer & Information Sciences is offering this great deal just for becoming a member. Simply register, select three books for $1.99 each, and receive your fourth selection FREE. This week's featured book: "Active Directory for Dummies". A $24.99 value, yours FREE with the purchase of three other books at $1.99 each. Take advantage of this great deal today! http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;3600618;5058249;i?https://www.joinlcis.com/mybookclub/lcis/bookclubs/lci/JoinFast/c2/c2_coupon.htm/?src=484_02_ju_224_a02_3189 ______________ TODAY'S WORD: Accelerated Graphics Port See our definition with hyperlinks at http://searchwindowsmanageability.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid33_gci213768,00.html Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is an interface specification that enables 3-D graphics to display quickly on ordinary personal computers. AGP is designed to convey 3-D images (for example, from Web sites or CD-ROMs) much more quickly and smoothly than is possible today on any computer other than an expensive graphics workstation. It is especially useful in conjuction with gaming, three-dimensional (3D) video, and sophisticated scientific/engineering graphics programs. The interface uses your computer's random access memory (RAM) to refresh the monitor image and to support the texture mapping, z-buffering, and alpha blending required for 3-D image display. AGP offers high-speed data transfer to and from RAM, optimizing the use of memory and minimizing the amount of memory necessary for high-performance graphics. The AGP main memory use is dynamic, meaning that when not being used for accelerated graphics, main memory is restored for use by the operating system or by other applications. AGP runs at several times the bus speed of conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). Because of this, the data transfer rate using AGP is significantly greater than with PCI video cards. AGP employs eight sideband address lines, so multiple data transfers can take place concurrently. Intel, which took the lead in developing its specifications, introduced AGP into a chipset for its Pentium microprocessor. The newer, faster microchips in Intel's Pentium line are designed to work with the AGP chipset. Intel says the advanced floating point unit and faster cache algorithm of the more advanced Pentiums are better adapted for 3-dimensional applications. RELATED TERMS: texture mapping http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214623,00.html z-buffering http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci284005,00.html Peripheral Component Interconnect http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214282,00.html floating point unit http://searchwin2000.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid1_gci213965,00.html ___________________ SELECTED LINKS AnandTech provides an illustrated explanation of AGP. http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=105 Additional information and a downloadable copy of the initial specification is available at Intel. http://developer.intel.com/technology/agp/agp_index.htm The AGP Implementors Forum, whose members include major graphics component makers, offers an AGP FAQ. http://www.agpforum.org/faq_ans.htm ____________________________________ QUIZ #15 | HP Hewlett-Packard, perhaps best known for its line of personal computer printers, has also long been a leader in mid-range computer systems. Take our latest quiz and see how much you know about about the original garage start-up! http://searchhp.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid6_gci779705,00.html ______________________ TECHTARGET FEATURE OF THE WEEK The Whatis.com Encyclopedia of Technology Terms is now available as a book. Access more than 3,500 IT definitions and fast references offline. Free ground shipping for all U.S. residents -- Also available for shipping outside of U.S. Find out more at http://whatis.com/WhatisBook. ______________________________________ STORAGE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE | Hosted by searchStorage Update: Gain critical business continuity strategies plus backup and disaster recovery expertise at the only independent storage-specific conference focused on storage management. Apply early to qualify to attend FREE at http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;3559407;5058249;r?http://www.storagemanagement2002.com _________________________ RECENT ADDITIONS [1] tropical year http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci780249,00.html [2] ActionScript http://searchwebmanagement.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid27_gci780181,00.html [3] foot cubed http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci779879,00.html [4] UXGA http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci779881,00.html [5] Wayback Machine http://searchwebmanagement.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid27_gci779950,00.html ======================================================== If you would like to sponsor this or any techtarget newsletter, please contact Gabrielle DeRussy at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ======================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter simply reply to this message with "REMOVE" in the subject line. Or, visit http://WhatIs.techtarget.com/register and adjust your subscriptions accordingly. If you choose to unsubscribe using our automated processing, you must send the "REMOVE" request from the email account to which this newsletter was delivered. Please allow 24 hours for your "REMOVE" request to be processed.
