Gaming/graphics workstation hybrid build

[believeringrey]

I am an Animation/Graphics Student. I am working on my first build.
Programs I use: Maya, 3DS Max, Adobe Suite, Corel Painter, etc.
I also game a bit, and used to play WoW hardcore when I still had a computer (I was burglarized)
So I need a build that will be awesome for 3d graphics, but won't sacrifice game play. I am already over my budget and I need some advice. I've got 2 builds. One is a Combo deal, and the other I spliced together. The motherboard in the combo deal is quite better (as far as I can tell).

I'm going to post Build 1 first, then Build 2

It won't let me post a link to my build yet unfortunately.

Newegg.com - Computers, Computer Parts and Electronics
My Wish List Details

Build 1

Qty. Image Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price 1 GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
Item #:N82E16813128502
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$129.99 -$7.00 Instant $122.99
1 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Model #:GFC-02050
Item #:N82E16832116986
Return Policy:Software Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$99.99 $99.99
1 Acer G235HAbd 23'' WideScreen LCD monitor - Retail

Acer G235HAbd 23'' WideScreen LCD monitor
Model #:ET.VG5HP.A01
Item #:N82E16824009266
Return Policy:Monitor Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$179.99 -$30.00 Instant $149.99
1 SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM
Model #:SH-222AB
Item #:N82E16827151233
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$18.99 $18.99
1 Antec Lanboy air Blue Black / Blue ATX Mid Tower Computer Modular Case

Antec Lanboy air Blue Black / Blue ATX Mid Tower Computer Modular Case
Model #:Lanboy air Blue
Item #:N82E16811129093
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate11-129-093

$199.99 -$45.00 Instant $154.99
1 EVGA 012-P3-1571-KR GeForce GTX 570 HD w/Display-Port (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

EVGA 012-P3-1571-KR GeForce GTX 570 HD w/Display-Port (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...
Model #:012-P3-1571-KR
Item #:N82E16814130613
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card14-130-613

$319.99 $319.99
1 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ...
Model #:CMPSU-750TX
Item #:N82E16817139006
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card17-139-006

$139.99 -$20.00 Instant $119.99
1 Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
Model #:BX80623I72600K
Item #:N82E16819115070
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

$314.99 $314.99
1 OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Model #:OCZSSD2-2AGTE60G
Item #:N82E16820227542
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

$159.99 -$55.00 Instant $104.99
2 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
Model #:F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
Item #:N82E16820231311
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$54.99 $109.98
1 Western Digital Caviar Black WD1502FAEX 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1502FAEX 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD1502FAEX
Item #:N82E16822136793
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$129.99 -$20.00 Instant $109.99
1 COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
Model #:RR-B10-212P-G1
Item #:N82E16835103065
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$29.99 -$2.00 Instant $27.99
Subtotal: $1,654.87

 

[Leeky]

Looks OK, but I'd change the case to a Coolermaster HAF912 (if you don't want full tower, or HAF X, or a HAF932, all of which are cheaper than your current Antec LanBoy, so will save money. The HAF912 is only $49.99 after the mail in rebate (or $10 more without) which is frankly a huge saving on that Antec.

I'd also change your hard disk to a 1TB samsung Spinpoint F3, or if purely for storage needs, upgrade to a 2TB Samsung Spinpoint F4. You could actually run 2x 1TB Spinpoint F3's (in RAID) for the same money as your single 1.5TB.