http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/4219.html Quote:
3D applications may hang on some AGP 8X capable systems
The information in this article applies to the following system configurations: - RADEON 9600 Series graphics card
- Certain motherboards supporting AGP 8X, including those based on Intel i865 or SIS655 chipsets
3D applications may hang under the following conditions: - AGP Speed for the system is set to 8X
- RADEON 9600 Series graphics card and drivers are installed
This does NOT occur in all systems.
To work around this issue, set AGP transfer mode to AGP 4X. Steps are provided below:- Go to Display Properties > Settings > click Advanced button
- Select the SMARTGART tab
- Set the AGP Speed to 4X
- Apply the settings change
- Restart the system
INFO-BASE# 4219
KEYWORDS: RADEON for PC AGP 8X 3D APPLICATION HANG
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here's what ATI says about smartgart:
How does SMARTGART™ work?
SMARTGART™ uses the display driver to automatically test system compatibility for the
AGP and PCI buses upon its initialization, and to dynamically setup the graphics
accelerator based on the test results.
Upon boot up, the driver first initializes the ASIC, sets up the screen resolution, and is then
able to issue graphics rendering commands and direct frame buffer access. At this point
the driver will perform a set of diagnostic tests that determines the system bus capability.
If a different setting is needed and a reboot is not required, the driver will setup the
graphics accelerator dynamically, allowing for immediate stable operation. If a different
setting is needed and a reboot is required, the driver will set the correct setting when the
system is restarted. The diagnostic tests will only be run on the system after the initial
install, or when the system configuration is changed.