[CnoteMD]

I have been building my own computers for about 6 years.

I always use Asus motherboards. I have yet to have a problem with one of them. Usually its some other smaller part that goes out first.

Here is my current system (built about 1 year ago):
Asus A8N-SLI motherboard Socket 939
AMD Athlon64 4000+ cpu
2GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
128mb graphics card (Radeon, can't remember the specific number)
Western Digital 250gb HD (SATA 3.0 Gb/s)
NEC 16X DVD burner (2 drives)
Coolermaster Cavalier case
Samsung 19inch LCD monitor (with DVI)
Logitec Keyboard and Wireless mouse

This whole system cost about $1300 a year ago. With a budget of $2000, you should be able to do even better. I have been using a set of electrostatic speakers for the past few years, so I didn't include that in my budget. I estimate this system should last me at least 4 years.

Be sure to get a front and rear fan (with filters) and a good cpu heatsink/fan. Most of the time my cpu temp is no higher than the motherboard temp (and often it is 1-2 deg C lower than the mb temp). I use fairly large fans with slow speeds for a virtually silent system.