how the hell did it come out to $2,600!?! (did not read the whole thing)
No computer should be spent that much (at once). If you are going to spend that much, might as well go with the i7 as a processor.
A good computer to max out most games out now should only be $1,600 with OS.
Tell me what exactly you want to actually do with the computer, and i will post you all the parts needed that will suit you.