Phenom x4 motherboard selection assistance

[retox9k]

Posted this in the wrong category the first time... sorry folks! (new to the boards couldn't locate how to move the topic)

I'm building a new rig. I've decided on;

Phenom X4 955 BE (saving a few bucks from the 965)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674&cm_re=phenom_II_955-_-19-103-674-_-Product
XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462


Planning to crossfire the 5770 later down the road when they drop at least 20 bucks... I was looking at boards with the

AMD 790FX North bridge (2x16 pci-e crossfire)
and
AMD 790X North bridge (1x16 or 2x8 pci-e)

I'd like to go with the 790x because its cheaper but I'm concerned that the 5770 will need more bandwith than 8x pci-e bus offers when in crossfire mode.

Here are the mother boards I was considering;


-790FX Contenders-

ASUS Crosshair III Formula ($145 open box)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131392R
MSI 790FX-GD70 ($129 open box)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223R


- 790x contenders-

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO ($88)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402R
GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P (110)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

Thanks for your input!

 

[oldsoulrevival]

I am personally getting the Asus Crosshair III - when you are building a computer, you want room for expansion in the future.

I am not sure if there is a difference between the open box version and the one that is 199.99 instead (republic of gamers version)

 

[retox9k]

I've had crap luck with Asus in the past, two MB's that I had to RMA... their quality gotten any better or did i just have poor luck?