Graphics card by physical size?

[maybesomethingdunno]

It seems I'm basically going to have to buy a new computer since buying the one little broken part alone (the processor/motherboard?) for such an older model would apparently cost about the price of a whole computer (or at least that's what everyone wanting to sell a new computer says ;) ). I was thinking/hoping I could just buy a CPU and replace the hard drive, graphics card, and so forth with the still-working guts of my previous computer.

I've been looking at a refurbished Dell OptiPlex GX270, which is slimmer and folds open like a book as opposed to having a side that slides completely off. (Small Desktop Computer (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx270/en/ug/index.htm) in horizontal orientation (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx270/en/ug/sdabout.htm#1184333).) My NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT graphics card will not physically fit into in the OptiPlex machine though. The card is too big and the computer is too small; forget about trying to close the computer case.

Is there a MTS approved/recommended graphics card (http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements/MTS2_Recommendations) that would fit into a Dell OptiPlex GX270? Or should I look for a bigger/newer/different computer? I've been very pleased with my NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT card, but I am willing to part with it for another card if it means I can have a working computer again.

Granted, I really don't want to downgrade in the graphic card department, but it would be great if if this OptiPlex is a viable solution. As far as I know, the size issue for the graphics card is the only setback. I don't know if I should keep looking for other CPUs or just flat out buy a new computer.

[whiterider]

I can't recommend any models since, well, I wouldn't buy a compact desktop tower if you paid me :p but perhaps I can offer some useful info.

The cards you're looking for are referred to as low profile. There aren't all that many of them out there, because these computers aren't generally used by people who have any need of a halfway decent graphics card, but they can be found. The makes and model numbers are equivalent to normal graphics cards, so anything on our "Okay" list for TS2/3 generally should be fine in low profile configuration too. If you're buying a compact tower, bear in mind that heat is a bigger problem for these towers than for normal desktops, so you'll want to invest in some decent cooling, and make sure that none of the components you're looking at have a reputation for running warm. Generally, googling "component name benchmarks" will get you info which includes running temperature.
Also remember that if that desktop has crappy integrated graphics, which it probably does, then you will almost certainly need to upgrade the Power Supply to support a proper graphics card. While low profile graphics cards aren't too hard to find, the PSUs for those machines are usually proprietary, and are a bitch to buy anywhere. Don't buy anything else until you've got a definite source for an upgraded power supply.

As far as just buying a new CPU... sort of :p . Certainly, you can keep the hard drive(s), CD/DVD drive and graphics card, any PCI-E cards you might have (network cards, USB cards etc), and possibly your current case and fans. It sounds like in order to support a halfway modern CPU, you're going to have to buy a new motherboard. If so, you will probably also need new RAM; and check that the motherboard still supports IDE drives, if you have any (SATA is the current standard).