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The VisionTek HD 3870 is a complete solution for contemporary PC gamers. It will deliver strong gaming performance, at a reasonable price. You can expect to be 'fine' in the video card department for sometime if you have a VisionTek HD 3870 in your system.

One of the main questions that may be on your mind when reading this review is how the HD 3870 stacks up against the 8800 GT 512MB and 256MB cards. I'd say the answer is "quite well." While the 8800 GT 512MB does seem to overpower the HD 3870 more often than not in the benchmarks, the HD 3870 often can be found for retailing for a bit less than the many 8800 GT's, and also is able to be linked in CrossFireX mode for more than two cards, which is not something a 8800 GT is capable of. Deals can be found with both products though -- the astute shopper will watch his or her local (or favorite online) retailer for a good deals on both 8800 GT's or HD 3870's, and if a good deal can be found, you will not be dissatsified with going either route.

This particular HD 3870 -- the VisionTek Radeon HD 3870 -- is an all around solid product. I particularly  appreciated the cooling solution on this card -- it has one of the best coolers that I have seen first-hand from many different examples of the HD 3870 family. This capable cooler led directly to good experiences in overclocking. Price wise, the HD 3870 sits competively against other HD 3870's at around the current price point of $240. Also, although unadvertised on the box, the VisionTek's default clocks are a little bit higher than some other HD 3870's, so this is a nice little bonus to the HD 3870 as well. Additional compliments to VisionTek can be given for offering a limited lifetime warranty and toll free tech support line.

All in all, while perhaps lacking just a little extra something that could have maybe pushed this card from 'great' to 'outstanding', the VisionTek HD 3870 is a very nice example of the HD 3870 family, and is recommended.