Current video cards on the market.

Ok, I know the 5970 is like a foot long. What do you guys think what might happen in the future of video cards, will they get any larger? I i'm hoping to get a good case that can hold any video card and future ones that will be made that might be made larger if it compition ever heats up more than it is. A mid size case of full tower?

Who can predict what will happen next. I just saw a review on CNET of an extreme gaming desktop that had TWO of the Fermi cards in them. Not only do those cards have some serious heat sinks, but the desktop maker also put in another fan for extra cooling.

Certain cards, i.e. very expensive ones, might go out of ATX spec. All reference cards are within spec, or else no OEMs would use them. You can blame the clearance issues on case manufacturers for designing their cases out of ATX spec.

As has been said, they're usually designed to fit into an ATX setup, so it should be fine. Usually it's stuff added into the case, such as fan mounts or housings, that can make life fiddly. When I had an 8800GTX (30cm/12" long), there was a small amount of thought required to get it into my case because of some of the case fittings.

As long as you buy a decent case you should be able to handle any graphics card, really.

As has been said, they're usually designed to fit into an ATX setup, so it should be fine. Usually it's stuff added into the case, such as fan mounts or housings, that can make life fiddly. When I had an 8800GTX (30cm/12" long), there was a small amount of thought required to get it into my case because of some of the case fittings.

As long as you buy a decent case you should be able to handle any graphics card, really.

LordRork

^ this +1

Ok, I know the 5970 is like a foot long. What do you guys think what might happen in the future of video cards, will they get any larger? I i'm hoping to get a good case that can hold any video card and future ones that will be made that might be made larger if it compition ever heats up more than it is. A mid size case of full tower?

redframe01