I have the Althon-64 version of that cooler. Nothing can beat them for that price.

I would suggest a P35 chipset for the motherboard... unless you plan to run multiple GPU's later. They are pretty much allgood... just find one that has the features you need at a good price.

This is my recommendation.firefly026

I would go with XFX PVT80GGHF4 GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported HDCP Video Card - Retail instead... It's $20 less after rebates.

The HD 2900 is faster, but it is NOT cheaper. The 8800GTS 320MB is your best deal for that system.

I would suggest either

Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad (4x2400Mhz) S775 2x4MB FSB1066 BOX - 249.90
http://shopv2.hiq24.de/product_info.php?cPath=30_286&products_id=11748&osCsid=e14269bb7eb53840a3a8e0f6e6afefb4

or Intel E6750 tray Core 2 Duo (2x2667Mhz) S775 2x2MB C.FSB133 - 176.90
http://shopv2.hiq24.de/product_info.php?cPath=30_286&products_id=13800&osCsid=e14269bb7eb53840a3a8e0f6e6afefb4

depending on how much you want to spend. Also, possibly a nice inexpensive cooler that will help if you plan to overclock... (the E6750 listed above doesn't come with a cooler)
CPU Kühler Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (775) - 19.90
http://shopv2.hiq24.de/product_info.php?cPath=377_21_306&products_id=4269&osCsid=e14269bb7eb53840a3a8e0f6e6afefb4

Are you buying other components too? I assume based on your choices listed above for CPUs that you don't already have a motherboard. For gaming if your budget is tight, it is best to save a little on the CPU so you can get a better video card.

http://secure.newegg.com/Newversion/Shopping/ShoppingCart.asp?Submit=view

Are these good enough essentials to build a decent rig? With a good video card will it be able to run upcoming games such as Crysis, COD4, AC, UT3, Bioshock, Far Cry 2, GeOW, etc. on high settings? How long do you think this will last before I would have to upgrade again? What do you think about the overall price?

Note: I didn't bother to include the price of a k/m and OS because I already have those essentials. I plan on adding an 8800GTS to this rig, but I didn't bother toinclude that just yet(waiting for price drop). No need to include a monitor.

CB4McGusto

Excellent choices. That will be a nice system and should last for a while.

Edit: Wow...

Drive
Case
HDD
Sound Card
PSU
RAM
CPU and Motherboard the $259 combo
My total came up to $583.89 and that's with shipping includedCB4McGusto

Yeah, you should be fine...

http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

to verify

$126.07 - Antec Sonata III Black ATX 16IN Mid Tower Quiet Case 3X5.25 2X3.5 4X3.5IN 500W 120MM Fan
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10370AC5086&vpn=SONATA%20III%20500&manufacture=ANTEC

$95.27 - Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ATX LGA775 P35 1333FSB 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11830BD1399&vpn=GA-P35-DS3L&manufacture=GIGABYTE

$139.99 (- 40 MIR = 99.99) - OCZ Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-6400 DDR2 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-15-1T Dual Channel Epp Memory Kit
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220BD7037&vpn=OCZ2RPR8002GK&manufacture=OCZ

$317.10 - XFX GeForce 8800GTS XXX 580MHZ 320MB 1.8GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15180BD4000&vpn=PVT80GGHD4&manufacture=XFX

$89.68 - Western Digital SE16 320GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB 8.9MS Hard Drive OEM 3 Year MFR Warranty
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15080DR0838&vpn=WD3200AAKS&manufacture=WESTERN%20DIGITAL

$34.56 - Pioneer DVR-212D Black DVD-RW 18X6X18 DVD+RW 18X8X18 DL 10X SATA 2MB OEM DVD Burner No Software
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13570DR4931&vpn=DVR-212DBK&manufacture=PIONEER

Add the Q6600 (if you got it for $259.95) and that comes to $1022.62 (about $7 more than your selections with much better parts)

If you missed the Q6600 deal, I would suggest the following depending on budget:

$286.99 - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD3212&vpn=BX80562Q6600&manufacture=INTEL
or
$217.26 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.66GHZ 1333FSB 4MB Retail
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD3518&vpn=BX80557E6750&manufacture=INTEL

That makes the total $1049.66with the Q6600 or $979.93 with the E6750.

I would also add this cooler especially if getting the Q6600 and/or overclocking...
$21.47 - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro LGA775 2500RPM 45CFM
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10450AC4602&vpn=FREEZER-7-PRO&manufacture=ARCTIC%20COOLING

Also, DirectCanada is located in BC, so no PST if ordering from other provinces like me in Ontario... and free shipping on orders over $300... Nice deal!