New Build Advice

[rborchers7]

Looking to build a gaming computer, though I have never done so before. I need advice on compatibility and overall functionality. A friend will help me to install the components (or more like I will watch him do it).

Preliminary Specs:
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Power Supply: RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-630SS 630W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED Power Supply
Motherboard/CPU: ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM:OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500410AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Graphics Card: EVGA 01G-P3-N870-AR GeForce 9600 GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
ROM: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders

I was thinking about more RAM, like putting in 4x2GB sticks and upping the PSU wattage. Necessary? Without the additions, this comes in just under $1k, which is doable for me. Again, I am looking for advice on compatibility and functionality, including cooling features.

 

[sinnie92]

sounds nice but where is the cpu?

and get 4GB of ram instead of 2

 

[rborchers7]

sounds nice but where is the cpu?

and get 4GB of ram instead of 2

Does it not come with a CPU? (this is why I need advice, lol), and I thought I was looking at 4 not 2 gigs, guess I needed that coffee this morning

CPU (if not included on mobo): Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W
Updated RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Is this all compatible? How do I tell?

 

[dark_angel]

looks all good. I don't think you would need more power than that but would wait for someone else to make sure.

 

[KaBone]

You can get the motherboard (mobo) and cpu bundled. But I don't remember a Q9550 bundle. I've read the stock cooler on the cpu is quite decent, but these same people still recommend installing an after market model. The trickiest compatibility issue is the power supply (psu) and video card (gpu). Look at the psu specs for the amperage supplied on the +12V rail, or aggregate amperage on multiple rails. This should be more than the amperage requirement of the gpu. When I bought mine, I choose a psu with 150% of the required amperage. Wattage will work itself out because volts x amps = watts.
The Q9550 is socket 775 and so is the mobo.
The mobo specs will tell you which RAM is supported, and it appears the Reapers are.
The case specs will tell you what size mobo will fits, and the one you listed will.
The gpu and mobo specs will tell you the interfaces which have to match. What you've listed do.
No need to worry about the hard and optical drives. Nearly all are compatible.