Motherboard for Q9550 and SLI prefer Gigabyte or Asus

Gent's,
My first post here and my first real attempt at getting a computer with the parts I want.
I have limited budget but went for something that will have a bit of longevity (an alien word in computer terms sometimes) I wanted a Q9550, a board that will have to begin with a 9800GT but with the idea of upgrading to a GTX 280 and if money can be found later add a second GTX280 (so SLI is the ultimate goal). I have 4G Corsair DDR2 1066(I think dominator?). It is being put together by the local Computer shop as I wasn't confident enough to do it myself yet.
The first board was a Asus P5n72-T Premium but the first one sent wouldn't recognize the Q9550 and struggled to update the BIOS waiting on the second one now but after reading quite a few forums on this board (particularly newegg) I am losing confidence in it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Due to my noob status I'd like a stable board from a reliable manufacturer that requires minimum maintenance and have no intentions of OCing.

Thanks for your reply mate,
I am prepared to spend more if it means the Mobo will be more reliable and with the ability to put the GTX-280s in at a latter date it should do me for 4-5 years. (being a father of 3 it probably means it'll have to actually last 8-10years before I can convince the treasurer at home to purchase a new one).
I don't know a lot about XFX so I'll do some research on them.

i know its a little bit passed since you wanted info but here are my two 3d mark profiles and i think most info is in there, if you want more just post and i got you.

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=9508135

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=9463951