While new AMD cards are around the corner, AMD-only partners continue to release new HD 3870 models. One particular AMD partner is Sapphire who has always been pretty much on the ball when it comes to stand-out models.

With our passively cooled Ultimate Sapphire HD 3870 in hand, let’s see how the card is fairing against the 9600GT in both stock and overclocked form. If there’s a card to beat at the moment, it’s the 9600GT.