Nvidia 9800gt with a powerful quad core or ati 4890 with pentium D???

This depends on the game. Some games are more CPU limited, some want more video power. I would say, overall, a video card that is at least 25% faster than the other will be faster even with a slower CPU. A decent speed Pentim D with enough RAM with a high-end card should run pretty much any game.

Ati 5970 working with intel pentium 3........Is this good for maxing out gta 4 and crysis.

This is supposted to be sarcasm or....??  

The 9800GT paired with a powerfull quad will generally give you better fps.

If you can fit a 5970 into a P3 system, sure. Will even run Crysis 3 when it comes out. At 10,345 x 20,456 resolution.

But really, if you have a serious question you're welcome to ask it.

omg  

+1 for the 9800gt and the quad. Just try Metro 2033 or Crysis Warhead with a Pentium D lol. You might end up with around the same average framerate, but I'd imagine your min. fps would be horrible. And everything else would be painfully slow.

I would go for 9800gt + higher end cpu.... not necessarily quad core...
Why are people still going on about 4xxx series radeons??? they dont even sell them in my counry anymore....

'Cause of the cheaper price. (and 'cause DX11 isn't strictly necessary for people on a budget) Eg.

HD4850 = 99$, HD 5750~130/140$

I would go wit the 9800gt and the quad so that later you can upgrade the graphics card without having to upgrade the whole system. Going with a Pentium D would be a horrible idea.

elloh!!!,

previously, I had a pentium D
now, I have a phenom ii x4 945 quad core

I spent $1000 to buy a new rig powered phenom ii x4 945 quad core processor and 9800gt.
now, I am wondering that if i would have spent $700 to buy an ati5970 and rest $300 to buy a good psu for pentium D. Is my thought a thing to agree or is just a figment of my imagination.

my question is.
9800gt with Phenom ii x4 945 quad

OR

ATi 5970 with pentium D

Which is better???

The 9800GT paired with the PII X4 945 of course. 

$1000 seems a little steep for a PII X4 945 and a 9800gt!

Yeah 

I mean to say that $1000 for mobo,ram,monitor,psu,cpu case,mouse,keyboard,speakers,sound card,graphics card,CPU..... 

you would be better off with something in the middle like a slightly slower/cheaper cpu, such as an athlonII and get a slightly better video card, like a 5750 or something.

you mean to say paired 9800gt i.e sli
or
single 9800gt with quad...both working together.

There you go. 

Oh, Thanks, I am relieved coz my mobo don't have another pci slot

Hey guys,
your views are awesome.....but m still unable to figure out more punchy option coz I saw gta 4 running on pentium 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9qJ2mHznJo

Yeah with 1-2fps on lowest settings and res.  

Get a fast quad and the 9800GT. That's the only option.

lol, Ati really sucks. I got ati 4350 before and it burnt with sucking odour....It killed my whole hardware...that pentium D......I also heard many people complaining about ati 4XXX series cards for their poor performance and highly matched reliability of weak home made wooden video cards.

so, a powerful quad and a 9800gt is really good...i am happy on my decision.

I have a 9800GT paired with a Phenom X4 955 BE @ stock, It work's with most game's however I'd recommend a bigger upgrade to something such as a 5770 or GTX 460 1GB

EDIT: at ATI RADEON, a 9800GT with a Quad core is NOT what I would call a powerful system

If you want to max out crysis then even a weak CPU will work...(only if you have a powerful GPU)

I can max out each and every game(25-30fps) except crysis(dx 10),metro 2033(dx11) and BFBC2(dx 11) ....dirt 2(dx11)

EDIT: at ATI RADEON, a 9800GT with a Quad core is NOT what I would call a powerful system
What is 'at ATI RADEON'

Although I'm pretty sure your either being a) sarcastic or b) a smartass, I will answer anyways.

It mean's that comment was directed at you (ATi RaDEoN)

Go buy a 486 with a turbo dutton.. Should see you off for a while

oh, well, humans misunderstand

This makes a lot of sense

I overclocked damn 9800gt and now it is performing like a hot knife.....Crysis warhead (dx10)......very high settings(enthusiast) with 4X aa.....avrage fps 28-34....very much playable..........no heating issues yet.....played for 3 and half hours.

Mr ATI I am pretty sure your stirring the pot here and having a bit of fun ... but you might want to actually listen to what the users here have to tell you.

decode and crowe have both suggested you look for a faster graphics card for your 945 quad ... both of them know what they are talking about.

I can suggest a GTX460 or a radeon 5850 ... why get anything slower ... faster yes ... if you have the money to burn.

There are no inherent defects in ATI or NVidia graphics chips produced in the last few years ... with the bald exception of a heap of mobile NVidia G92 parts with an underfill problem on the base of the die... so bagging ATI is a bit stupid.

Your 9800GT is probably the most limiting factor in your current system provided you have 4Gb of RAM and a fairly new HDD.

Ask advice around that issue.

Best answer selected by mrface.