That's just the nVidia reference design. Abit will be using a design like what has been seen on their OTES Ti4200's, which does take up the 1st PCI slot, but Chaintech has a much slicker one with 2 fans that runs about half as loud as the reference design (thank god). From what I understand, companies are working on quiter, less bulky solutions for the GFFX cards.
nVidia better becareful however: they bought out the company that didn't get their product out in time---which is the long defunct 3dfx. Do I think nVidia is going out the crapper? No, but I do think they need to be careful. Other than ATi, there's nothing I'd consider a real threat to nVidia's graphics market. Sis? Don't make me laugh. Trident had something they were working on, but I haven't heard much about it other than one Anandtech review awhile back.
ATi has done themselves a big favor by getting their drivers up to par, but they shouldn't slack off.
