Upgrading For Extra Power - Some Questions

[GeForceX]

I am seeking to improve my PC build (since I have money to burn). I just have a couple of questions. First off, my current build:

Corsair 520HX (520W)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 (2.13 GHz)
EVGA nForce 650i Ultra
G.SKILL 2 GB (2x1GB) PC2 6400
PNY GeForce 8800GTS 640MB

I am planning on getting the following things to add some power for my PC:

BFG 8800 GT - I want to have dual video cards along with my current video card. I know, I know, many people advise against mixing brand names and video card types (GTS/GT/GTX/etc.) but I just had to ask - am I able to put them together (for SLI)? If not, then what should I do?

4 GB memory - I want to max out at 4 GB - I should be using 2 GB x 2 sticks. Which brand and speed do you recommend?

SLI motherboard with IDE and SATA support - My current motherboard only supports SATA and I have a nice 250 GB IDE hard drive that I'd like to use. Is there a good motherboard that has SLI and both hard disk formats supported?

Quad Core CPU - I'd like to go to the Q6600 from Intel. Should I?

Overclocking that Quad Core CPU - What ultra quiet cooling HSF do you recommend?

Obviously, if I'm going SLI with Quad Core, I'll need to make sure my PSU supports it. Does my current PSU support it? If not, what do you advise (or... how can I figure out if my PSU has enough power on its rails? Is there a product watt calculator that I can use?)

Thanks!

 

[Dangman]

You cannot use two different video card models in SLI. Simple as that. The technology does not allow for it.

For 4GB of RAM, I recommend this very well priced and good quality set:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $120

Yes go for the Q6600 since you have money to burn. I recommend getting the G0 stepping since it runs cooler and can OC higher than the B3 stepping commonly found in most online stores. You can find the G0 stepping here:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping CPU - $274

AS for cooling, this is the highest end air cooling HSF out there. And its very quiet:
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme HSF - $57 & Scythe S-Flex SFF21E 120MM Case Fan - $14

The Corsair 520W PSU can handle 2x 8800GT in SLI.

 

[GeForceX]

Biggest thanks for responding!

You cannot use two different video card models in SLI. Simple as that. The technology does not allow for it.

Understood. Now, with my current 8800 GTS 640 MB, would I be better off getting the same 8800 GTS? I've been reading different views on how a GT might be better than a GTS (and vice versa!). I think it would be cheaper to just buy another 8800 GTS 640 MB?

For 4GB of RAM, I recommend this very well priced and good quality set:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $120

How about getting a 1066 Mhz version? Or is 800 enough?

Yes go for the Q6600 since you have money to burn. I recommend getting the G0 stepping since it runs cooler and can OC higher than the B3 stepping commonly found in most online stores. You can find the G0 stepping here:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping CPU - $274

Is there any at NewEgg?

And what motherboard should go with this CPU? Keep in mind... must have SATA/IDE/SLI!

AS for cooling, this is the highest end air cooling HSF out there. And its very quiet:
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme HSF - $57 & Scythe S-Flex SFF21E 120MM Case Fan - $14

Fantastic.

The Corsair 520W PSU can handle 2x 8800GT in SLI.

How 'bout GTS?

 

[Dangman]

What size monitor do you have? SLI won't make a huge difference unless you're playing at a 1920x1200+ resolution.

No, the 520HX won't be able to handle 2 8800GTS in SLI.

DDR2 800 RAM is all that you need to OC the Q6600. Remember that Intel C2D systems do not benefit from having faster RAM. It's best to keep the FSB and RAM speeds at a 1:1 ratio. Here's why DDR2 800 is all that you need:

Q6600:
Multi x FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC

As for getting the G0 stepping Q6600, tt's pretty much random or a crapshoot with Newegg. Some people get G0 stepping, some don't. If you want a G0 stepping for sure, get it from ClubIT.com.