MMO Config Advice

Hello.  I'm looking at getting a new system for my girlfriend and I to play MMOs together.  Our current systems are getting pretty old and we have to play on the lowest settings possible.  Even with the settings so low we still tend to lag some on raids and PVP.

Budget:
Hers: $1,500 - $2,500
Mine: $2,000 - $3,500

Expectations:
We want to be able to play present and near future MMOs on high settings without video lag.  This is especially important for raids and PVP.  I plan to buy each of us a Dell UltraSharp U2410 (1920x1200).

Usage:
Strictly MMOs (SWTOR, GW2) with minimal internet use.

Special Needs:
Are any of the sound cards worth the money or have the internal sound cards come a long way?

I don't mind spending money for a great system, but I don't want to overspend on things I don't need.  I remember reading configs awhile ago about asking DS for a vcore of 1.4 and additional fans for the HAF X case?  Also is the i5 better for MMOs than the i7 and is it worth extending the warranty past the standard 3 years?

This is a build I'm looking at for one or both of us.  One last note, our systems don't have to be the same since I'm willing to spend more than she is .

Thanks for the help!

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I agree with everything FrankW said, but I think that I need to add that your surroundings will greatly influence CPU stresses. In areas with smaller numbers of players, there will be less CPU usage, because the main task of the CPU is manipulating positional data. Therefore, if you spend your time with a few friends in areas with few other players, even a low level CPU could work for gaming. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time in areas like Dalaran, you should go for a much higher end CPU.

FrankW: I'll have to think about the 3770 for possible future game as you pointed out.

Orange7: We usually try to avoid the highly populated areas but sometimes in PVP and raids that's not possible.  When you say we should consider a much higher end CPU which one do you suggest?

bprat22: Good to know about the vcore settings and Ivy Bridge.

Thanks a bunch for the help guys, I really appreciate it!

MMOs by design are made to appeal to mass markets and will never have steep requirements.

You are building a true GAMING PC here, either i5 or i7 is going to smoke these games. Ofc, future proofing is never a bad thing. But expect MMOs to be not effected by either processors for a long foreseeable future though.

benchmarked here"

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/star-wars-gaming-tests-review,3087.html