($220)CPU + Motherboard

[armedtoe]

My build has finally come together... and I have left the two most important, and controversial, components for last.
REQUREMENTS:
Motherboard
■Must have a 2.0 PCIe card or higher
■Must have crossfirex support
■Must have 2+ USB 3.0 ports
■Must have a durable sound card
■Compatible with this ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
CPU
■2 or more cores
■ Equivalent or better than the i3-2100
Other
■No preference on AMD/Intel Processors
■My budget sums up to $200-$220 BEFORE rebates
■I am using a 550W Power supply
IDEAS
1. Biostar board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138303
but it looks like I will be taking a 50/50 chance of DOA
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
(looks sufficient for gaming)

 

[C12Friedman]

I'm thinking that you have already bought your RAM... if so then the additional mobo requirement of "Has my ram on QVL" should be added.
It's not like you're asking alot with your list, I just wouldn't know where to start

 

[armedtoe]

I'm thinking that you have already bought your RAM... if so then the additional mobo requirement of "Has my ram on QVL" should be added.
It's not like you're asking alot with your list, I just wouldn't know where to start

Added RAM type

 

[armedtoe]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
AMD Phenom II x4 any good for gaming?
[strike]EDIT: Do any amd boards support the PCIe 2.1 graphics card I puchased? I cannot seem to find an AMD board with anything other than PCIe 2.0[/strike]
Okay... So it appears that the 2.1 PCIe cards work on the 2.0 motherboards... correct me if i'm wrong

 

[C12Friedman]

2.1 cards will work fine in a 2.0 slot
The Phenom II is a fine processor for gaming - which mainly stresses your graphics card's potential
You may find that the mobo will choke a X-fire/SLI setup with the 4x second slot

I found this mobo - open box and $30 more but quite a step up...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631R
with any open box/refurbished item I would recommend getting the extra warranty if you decide to go that route - P.S. your ram is on this mobo's QVL

 

[armedtoe]

Best answer selected by armedtoe.