Looking for a high performance motherboard

[sanpd]

Hi, as the title states I am currently on the lookout for a motherboard with the primary focus point being hardcore gaming.

I'm currently going for a intel setup with a Readon 6990 Graphic card which requires PCI 2.1 and this is where I must admit I got confused.

Is PCI 2.1 compatible with 2.0?

However back on topic, my demands for a motherboard:

1366 Socket
4 DIMM and must support Dual Channel
Chipset X58 or better
Formfactor: ATX
RAM supported: DDR3 SDRAM. PC3-12800 or better, 1600 MHz or better. And must support atleast 24 GB RAM
Gigabyte Ethernet, if possible with 2 Ethernet connectors (However not a prioity)
Atleast 1 PCI 2.1 (If 2.1 is compatible with 2.0, which I may have misunderstood, please feel free to ignore this)
Compatible with Crossfire/sli if possible
Any given number of PCI 2.0 (Read above)
USB 3.0 with or without Firewire (It just have to support USB 3.0 on some ports not all, it may have USB 2.0)
Support ATA-300/600.
Support RAID 0/1

And feel free to throw in your own ideas.

The reason why I created this thread is due to the fact that I am more a software nerd than a hardware nerd and I've looked at some Gamers republic, gigabyte and ASUS motherboards without finding any that meet these requirements.

And I decided to consult the website which I've always turned to when I was in need of assistance with hardware and I sincerly hope you will be kind enough to come in aid of a fellow nerd.

-Sanpd

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate asking.

 

[Noworldorder]

1366 Socket
Chipset P67 or better

I could easily recommend a motherboard if these two of your specs did not contradict. You can get one or the other, but not both.
Did you mean; P67 or better....with a LGA1155 socket?
Or, LGA1366 socket with X58 or better? (which in itself is self-exclusionary in that LGA1366 is X58....)

 

[sanpd]

I could easily recommend a motherboard if these two of your specs did not contradict. You can get one or the other, but not both.
Did you mean; P67 or better....with a LGA1155 socket?
Or, LGA1366 socket with X58 or better? (which in itself is self-exclusionary in that LGA1366 is X58....)

I mean a LGA1366 with X58, My mistake.

I'll correct the information

 

[Noworldorder]

All right then:
this is the lowest priced board that meets all of your criteria, and that I feel good recommending
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641
ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $200 after rebate, and it's a really nice board at a great price.
This is a popular, sweet board too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $190

But, you did say "hardcore" and "2 ethernet ports" didn't you....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188069
EVGA 141-GT-E770-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard$350 after rebate

And if "hardcore" is more important than 2 ethernet ports, there's this sweet puppy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131642
ASUS Rampage III Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard$380

 

[jbakerlent]

Yes PCI 2.1 is compatible with 2.0. Also, when you say X58 or better, it makes me think that you don't already have a socket 1366 CPU, in which case I would suggest not getting one. They are not the best choice right now, especially for gaming - check out the 1155 socket instead. Also, you'd be better off getting a pair of 6950s than that 6990. Also you don't need 24GB of RAM for gaming.