If you're planning on keeping your system for the next 3-4 years, don't buy anything less than a Core i7/X58 based system. Particularly on a $2k budget. i7/i5/P55 1156 socket based systems would allow you to shave about $100 off the same build, but for future proofing a system, the money saved isn't real value IMO.
The X58 based build would give you the flexibility of upgrading CPUs down the line if you need to for whatever reason as the X58/1366 socket will be compatible with Intel's future 6 core CPUs (buy at minimum DDR3 1600 RAM if you plan to do this to avoid replacing RAM later).
If you do end up building your own, it will give you the added flexibility of increasing your clock speeds later rather than upgrading CPUs if you need extra processing speed down the line.
Most OEM builds have mobos that disable overclocking functions in the BIOS for warranty purposes, barring boutique and other enthusiast builds that often pre-overclock your system from the factory.
As for VGA cards, it depends entirely upon what settings and games you're planning on playing with. No point in buying a $300 VGA solution if you're only running on a 1680x1050 resolution for example (although that would guarantee smooth frame rates on HQ settings for just about any current games).
With an SLI/Crossfire based board, you always have the option of adding a second VGA card later with the added benefit of paying a lot less for the same card when you do.
I couldn't tell you off hand whether most OEM builds are SLI/Crossfire compatible; it probably depends upon the specific OEM system in question. The HP PC I use for productivity for instance, isn't.
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