Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). The AGP interface is a new platform bus specification that allows high performance 2D13D graphics capabilities on consumer tevel PCs. AGP provides much higher bandwidth for graphics processors, which enables them to more efficiently process the additional requirements of 3D graphics.

Image degradation, 2D image signal degradation. Some pass-through cards have insufficiently shielded cables, which means electrical interference can affect the 2D video signal as it travels between your 2D and 3D cards. This can result in somewhat distorted 2D images, particularly when displaying higher screen resolutions.

3D chipset. The 3D chipset is a special form of graphics processor which deals exclusively with the tasks involved in the generation of 3D visuals. Without a 3D chipset your PC must allocate these tasks to the CPU via software emulation.

APIs (Direct3D, 3Dfx Glide, OpenGL). APIs or applications programming interfaces are the conduit through which software sends data to be processed by your 3D hardware. You can think of them as direct lines of communication between your 3D games and your 3D hardware.