Maximum PC

I am looking at buying an Alienware x51 with income tax and need some advice on which config i should go with or if I will have to cough up more cash for the Aurora.
I'm trying to stick as close to $1,500 as possible (including the 3 yr. essential and 3 yr. ADS supports)

I mainly use my pc for playing World of Warcraft, Diablo 3 and Battlefield 3 and want a rig that can use my 55" Samsung LED 3D as a monitor, prefereably with visual settings maxed out if possible.

So what i need help with as follows:
1) Will a i5-3330 3.0 proc, 8gb 1600 ddr3, 1gb GT-640 be able to use my tv at good to ultra high settings?
2) or will i have to up the rig to the i7-3770 3.4 proc, 16gb ddr3, 1.5gb GT-660?
3) if either of these configs will work, which video output would be better, HDMI or VGA?
4) can you also recommend a good inexpensive but not cheaply built HOTAS for BF3?

Thanks for any help and advice I can get