Motherboard and Processor Question (Phenom x3 and MA790X

In my build I have a Phenom II x3 720 BE and a Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P (Crossfire) for 218.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190734

I am getting, and have already ordered, a XFX GTX 260 Core 216.

My question:

Is there a processor and motherboard combination around that price (218.99) , that will run SLI and have around the same performance?

I am asking for a friend AND for me.

My friend is wanting to stick with Nvidia, whereas I am in the middle.

I don't mind that the MA790X only does crossfire because I will most likely switch to ATI in the future.

Well,,you might take a look at the GA-MA790FX-UD5P,for me it has a slightly better layout as I need floppy access and most mobo's are putting them way below the last pci connector,there are many times when having a bootable floppy with useful stuff can save the day and prevent uneedfull resetting of the bios etc,,,

Yeah, I explained that to him. I'm sticking with the MA790x combo for my rig, but I don't know what hes doing.

I think he wanted to go with an ASUS nforce mobo but I haven't heard amazing things about them

you haven't heard anything amazing about them, because there simply isn't anything amazing to be heard about them.