Big problem

I'm REALLY sorry about hijacking this guy's thread (I don't actually play Guild Wars) but I've never run into somene with the exact same problem as me and who speaks English (Ich kann auf Deutsch sprechen aber mein Deutsch is schlecht).

My graphics card died in the exact same way as the OP and I've been trying to find a new one, but size restrictions make that a complete pain (bought a GTX 260 to find it doesn't fit because I'm stupid ).
Sadly I can't build my own system yet, not enough funds.

I've narrowed down my choices but I'm not sure if they'll even fit.

On the nVidia side, a 9800GT 512MB:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=396611

On the ATI side, a 4850 512MB:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=499641

I'd prefer to get an nVidia card due to the CUDA architecture (I'm a programmer so I'd get some use out of that), but it's not necessary.

Sorry again, but I'm running out of options and I can't find any local stores with cards (let alone cards that fit, they're horribly overpriced :X) so I need to make sure I get it right first time.

You can measure the length inside your case to see what will fit or not. Of the 2 video cards you listed the 4850 is the shorter GPU by about 1/2" Performance wise they will average out to basically the same depending on the games you play.

Well the main problem here is the height, due to the motherboard cable. I'm not sure of the height of these cards. I have an MD8800 just like the OP, which is why I posted here.

Also do you know where I could get some details on the LxWxH on the GeForce 6700 XL?

Yeah, the cards are fairly similar (though the ATI card has a 25MHz increase in speed).

I've heard the 4850 fits in..

Cards of this size fit in too (length wise, and aren't too high)

4850 is the more powerful card, sometimes by as much as 80%. comparing the clock frequencies between different graphic cards, unless they are in the same family, is a futile practice.

There are 3 things you need to consider:
1. the physical size of a card - will it fit.
2. the power and cooling requirements of the card - does your power supply have the wattage.
3. does the card require additional power connectors - most cards will come with an adapter, if required, but check before you buy.

I generally have the last 2 sorted. Only issue is size (and (maybe) cooling).

I bought a 550W PSU (I forget the amps it put out but a friend who knows his PSUs told me that it would've powered a GTX 260) to replace my old one and it has a lot more cables then I needed, so I should have enough.

Well if the 4850 fits, I suppose I'll get that soon. Thanks a lot for the help, sorry to randomly bug you from the internet.

@moriz: Whoops, I keep forgetting that