Currently running:

AthXP 2500+ @ 2.4ghz
1GB ddr400
X1300Pro 256mb agp
nforce2 board
76gb raptor / 200gb wd caviar HD

Primary functions: Gaming, media server, occasional video/graphics work (large files....)

Looking to spend an absolute maximum of $1,600. Here's the catch - Parts must be black or red. They're going into BE, and I'd like to keep to the theme...

Here's what I've been looking at so far, not terribly keen on sucking Fatal1ty's epeen so much.

Abit fatality 650i mobo ~$140
Sapphire Radeon 2900XT ~$375
Conroe E6320 ~165
Mushkin 2GB DDR2 1K Redline ~$320
150GB Raptor ~$200
500GB Seagate Barracuda X2 ~$230
DVD burner ~$30
Zalman fatality cooler ~$50

Total: $1510 before OS ... which adds about another $150.

Do not need: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, case, or PSU.

Very much open to any and all suggestions, I'm hoping I'm just blind, rather than the short selection of things that fit the bill. >.>

I'd drop the Raptor. Those Seagate's are plently fast and come pretty close to that Raptor. You can also save another $30 by picking the Seagates from Fry's as they've got them for $100.

Also, for a few bucks more you could replace your vid card choice with this sweet one:

Newegg.com - EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

Also, this mobo is the same price as your choice:

Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

And this 680i board for about 30 bucks more:

Newegg.com - EVGA 122-CK-NF63-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

If you want save a lot of money and still get that 640mb 8800GTS from Dell for $338.