9800 gtx doesn't fit mobo (new pc build)

Yeah, use the other SATA ports. That board has 5 ports, though it looks like the top most one is obviously blocked. The bottom two should be usable, while the middle two could be accessible with a SATA cable that has a 90 degree end to allow it to go under the cards cooler. Your other option is of course to get a GPU without a shrouded cooler, like the current 5770, or just a shorter card that won't block any of your SATA ports.

As for using the other ports wasn't really an option because the card actually over laps up to about half way on the furthest two ports or at least enough to where we couldn't' get them in. I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna be getting that 9800gtx in there and at this point am just trying to find another good performance card that I know can fit. I don't know anything about shrouded coolers and how they relate to gpu sizes. Any suggestions for smaller sized comparable performance cards?

although I'll re-seat the card and check clearance again i'd love to be able to fit the card if possible and maybe i could find some less bulky sata cables

I think what you could use is sata cables with right angle connectors. Like so;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...