Palit's new HD 3850 Super +1GB is quite a card. While its low clock settings in comparison to the beefier 3870 cards do restrict its performance, it is clearly capable, especially in games, as we saw in testing today. The included HDCP ready HDMI out port is a great addition, and it's something that's hard to find on cards these days. Just a few weeks ago, someone asked me for advice on an HDCP ready card, and, even after research, I was strapped for ideas.

While this makes for an ideal HTPC setup, the fan on the card is very loud. The small diameter makes for high RPM, making this card clearly audible over the five 120mm fans, pump, and PSU in my case. Certainly, an investment in after-market cooling would be a good one.

It's worth noting that Palit's customer support is fabulous. The first review sample I received was defective, and after a personal email conversation with a help representative (who thanked ME for taking the time to troubleshoot the problem), I RMA'd the card without any hassle. The whole experience was stress free and certainly earns points for the HD 3850 Super +1GB, with the assurance that you as the customer will be taken care of.

Overclocking on the 3850 wasn't the most successful. I reached clocks of 708/432 over the stock 670/400 using the ATI Overdrive Auto-Tune utility, and my maximum clocks with ATI Tool were of questionable stability and not much higher. This OC earned a 3DMark Vantage GPU score of 2945, or just shy of a 10% increase. While any increase is a good one, here is yet another reason to invest in some aftermarket cooling.

At just over $100 USD at a popular online reseller, the Palit HD 3850 Super +1GB is a fine card at a fine price. While it should be more than enough horsepower for any budget build and do well for a HTPC setup, it is also a great option for handling heavy MSAA loads without shelling out too much cash. The Palit HD 3850 Super +1GB earns the OCIA.net Seal of Approval.