First time builder and have a crap load of questions...

[No Absolution]

Hi there, I plan on building my first rig within 1+ months depending on whether how steady of a job I have. I have been doing a lot of research although I already knew a lot about computers. I still have a bunch of questions. First off I would like to list the parts I am looking at putting in the rig.

CPU: Intel Q9450 (releasing around Feb 18)
Motherboard: EVGA 780i
RAM: 2GB of DDR2 800 GSKILL x2 (4GB)
Video Card: EVGA 8800GT x2 (SLI)
Hard Drives: 250GB Seagate SATA 3.0gb/s x2 (Not RAID because I'm a n00b)
Optical Drive: SONY DVD-ROM
Power Supply: OCZ GamexStream 700W PSU
Case: Antec 900

Questions:

1) For starters, will that build even work? I know I left out the OS, mouse, keyboard, etc. But I know they will work

2) Is the Antec 900 a good case? I read that it has a weird layout, but it looks awesome and it also doesn't have an annoying door or flaps blocking the optical drives.

3) On the Antec 900, the power supply area is on the bottom, which is different than most all normal cases I look at. AND because the poser supply's fan is not outside the case but would be pointing towards the graphics card, wouldn't that possibly damage the graphics card? Or does the fan draw in air and not push it out?

4) Is there anything other than software and I/O parts that I have forgotten?

5) Suggestions to improve this build... I have a spend limit of $2000 ($2500 max after shipping costs and warranties)

Thanks!
--Garrett

EDIT:
This system will be used for gaming and I don't plan to OC it unless it is absolutely necessary...

 

[Doer.]

Assuming you have the OS already, looks like you might just want to add a better heatsink. Everybody seems to like tuniq tower.

 

[No Absolution]

I looked at the Tuniq tower, wouldn't it be too tall to fix the case's width (or too close for comfort...)

 

[krazyq]

for ram get :
crucial ballitiix
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail tracers if you want led
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

For optical drive get this:
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

for psu get this
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

and case is really your choice, a lot of ppl get the 900 but i would suggest the Cooler Master 690( its got way more room, and better wire management)
Micro Center Online - the center of .computer shopping

its on sale now

and you could ge tthe maximus formula instead of the 780i.

 

[No Absolution]

for ram get :
crucial ballitiix
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail tracers if you want led
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

For optical drive get this:
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

for psu get this
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

and case is really your choice, a lot of ppl get the 900 but i would suggest the Cooler Master 690( its got way more room, and better wire management)
Micro Center Online - the center of .computer shopping

its on sale now

and you could ge tthe maximus formula instead of the 780i.

Alright, I'll definitely look into that PSU and optical.

I looked at the Ballistix for a LONG time, and after downloading the manual for the 780i, it says they are 1.8v DIMMS, where the Ballistix are 2.2v. Not quite sure how well that would run...

Also, I'm kind of afraid of ASUS after reading reviews of bad bios and other issues... But I'm sure some of them are a bit exaggerated...

And the case looks a bit plain for my taste... Most of my time with computers have been with plain cases, wanted to try something new

 

[krazyq]

Alright, I'll definitely look into that PSU and optical.

I looked at the Ballistix for a LONG time, and after downloading the manual for the 780i, it says they are 1.8v DIMMS, where the Ballistix are 2.2v. Not quite sure how well that would run...

Also, I'm kind of afraid of ASUS after reading reviews of bad bios and other issues... But I'm sure some of them are a bit exaggerated...

And the case looks a bit plain for my taste... Most of my time with computers have been with plain cases, wanted to try something new

its all upto you.
about the ballistix, all you gotta do is raise the volt...i had to raise it by +.04 to have it run at the recommended settings.
the ballistix are way better than the g skill

 

[No Absolution]

its all upto you.
about the ballistix, all you gotta do is raise the volt...i had to raise it by +.04 to have it run at the recommended settings.
the ballistix are way better than the g skill

Alright, and that can be done in the BIOS?

 

[krazyq]

Alright, and that can be done in the BIOS?

yes sir
and are you planning on overcloking?

and btwm the cm-690 has a blue led fan...so its not that boring.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

 

[No Absolution]

yes sir
and are you planning on overcloking?

and btwm the cm-690 has a blue led fan...so its not that boring.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

I don't PLAN on overclocking unless I absolutely must... I don't think I will need to for a while... I just need something that I can upgrade, upgrade, and upgrade to keep it going for years :happy:

 

[Gustave5436]

Get a 520hx, identical to 620hx on the 12v rail but it's cheaper.

You shouldn't plan to not overclock when it's so easy and can significantly increase performance (for ex. an OC from 2.4 ghz to 3 ghz on a Q6600 is a 25% increase and can be done on stock volts)

Wouldn't recommend SLI, either go with X38 and HD3870s in crossfire or a single 8800 GTS (and, in that case, you could just get p35)