HTPC vs Gaming rig questions

[Titan2k]

Background:
I'm designing a rig which I hope can double as both a gaming PC and a home theater PC. I'm not getting crazy with cooling solutions so I'm limiting myself to heat sinks and fans. I already have a really good idea for most of the parts which I've listed below.

Latest Specs:

Case: Nexus Breeze or Antec NSK2400
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 (not positive on this one, depends on which case I choose)
Video: GeForce 8800 GTS 680MB with Thermalright radiator and fan
RAM: 2 to 3 GB DDR2 (undetermined brand or speed)
HD: WD Caviar SE16, 500 GB
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S183L
Primary OS: OpenSuSE or Kubuntu with Beryl
Secondary OS: Windows XP or Windows Vista
Other: 5 in 1 card reader
Other: TV Tuner (an upgrade down the road)
IR: Generic serial receiver
DVR Software: Myth TV and LIRC

Questions:
1) Can a passive cooling system be used on the GeForce 8800 GTS with reasonable assurances that it won't either burn out or severely restrict its life expectancy? I've looked at systems like Heat Pipe and Fan or this massive heat sink. I would really like to use this card but am a little worried since I heard its nickname is 'little leaf blower'.

2) Any suggestions for my setup?

Any assistance/suggestions/advice are much appreciated.

 

[jpeyton]

Thermalright has a new heatsink for the 8800 series. But you can save yourself some money and the headache of having a huge CPU cooler if you can settle for a 8600 series card.

Antec has cheap, well-laid out HTPC cases.

Mobo: P965 chipset based motherboard; something like a Gigabyte S3, Biostar TForce965?

RAM: Any cheap DDR2 667.

HD: Western Digital SE16 or Samsung T166.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Have you looked at the Antec NSK-2400, reviewed at SilenPCReview.com?

With the 2 x side exhaust fans and airflow past the graphics card it looks like a good candidate for a quiet/silent 8800. The SPCR forums might also have someone who's already tested those 8800 cooling solutions.

Also, regular quiet PSUs like a Seasonic with active cooling are near-silent unless the case heats up enough to need the airflow, and I trust them much more than current fanless designs.