ok, update:

installed the 9600 Sapphire only to find the fan wasnt running, took it back out again and the fan is ceised so no doubt it had overheated when it was in the system before mine.

removed the fan and found that there was a shiny, metallic pastey-substance on the bottom of the fan and top of the processor on the card, so is the card dead or just a minor teething problem?

oh, BTW, i added the 9800 to the system and despite my worst fears it works perfectly, im off to play trackmania nations, Bye!

- Steve