If I was to build a $1500.00 system, I'd build something like this.
Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS
(URL)
Price: $159.99 (Before $30.00 rebate)
Special Note: Lots of room, 25CM fan on side panel
Motherboard: EVGA 750i SLI
(URL)
Price $169.99 (before $30.00 rebate)
Special Note: SLI Capable (2 x PCIe 2.0), Sata connectors are right angled
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
(URL)
Price: $187.99
Special Note: 2x Winner of Customer Choice Award - Processors - Desktops
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7
(URL)
Price: $26.99
Special Note: Top rated CPU Cooler on Newegg.ca & Newegg.com
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 280
(URL)
Price: $374.99 (Before $30.00 rebate)
Special Note: Lifetime Warranty, if you don't care go with the BFG version for less money.
Ram: 2 x OCZ Reaper HPC 2 x 2GB (4GB)
(URL)
Price: $64.99 (before $30.00 rebate)
Special Note: 1x Winner of Customer Choice Award - Desktop Memory
Power Supply: CORSAIR 750TX
(URL)
Price: $119.99 (Before $30.00 rebate, $60.00 instant discount)
Special Note: Corsair is the Best Power Supply Manufacturer 2008 Voted by Custom PC’s readers
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 640GB
(URL)
Price: $74.99
Special Note: Best Rated 400GB - 750GB Hard drive
Blu-Ray Player: LITE-ON Black 6X Blu-ray - Sata
(URL)
Price: $104.99
Special Note: Burns CD's, DVD's, Reads everything!
Before Tax: $1,349.90 USD
After Tax & Shipping: $1,496.06 USD
Rebates: $140.00 USD
Shipping Zip Code Used: 90210
Hows this?, now this is the system I'd build, people will most likely disagree with the motherboard but I'm somewhat of an Nvidia / EVGA Fanboy. He doesn't have to use my system but this is what I'd be building if I had to make a PC below $1500.00 USD.
Newegg Wishlist
Final Specs: 8GB of ram, Blu-Ray Reader, GTX 280, E8500, 750W PSU, 640GB, Decent looking case.