High-Performance MOBO needed for this CPU & GPU

[funkypixel]

>>>> WHAT I NEED EXPERT ADVICE ON: (as I'm intending on ordering these)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor [Model: BX80569Q9450]
GPU: XFX GX260NADF9 GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Video Card [Item #: N82E16814150308]
POWER SUPPLY: PC Power & Cooling PPCT860 860W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply [Item #: N82E16817703013]
MOTHERBOARD: I NEED help with getting the best "Value" in a High-Performance board

PC will be used for:

• > Maya 3D modeling & rendering (incl. crowd simulation, CPU Intensive?)
  > Extensive Photoshop work (multi open files from 10-60MB)
  > FLStudio Music/Sound Design composing/rendering
  > Video Compositing/Editing/Green Screen

Budget: approx $2000 total
Purchasing from: US
Brand(s) or Preference:

• > LGA 775, Intel Core 2 Quad
  > ASUS
  > GIGABYTE
  > NVIDIA - PCI Express 2.0
  > Antec
  > XFX

Researched similar threads:
I've spent quite a while doing research on different HW review sites (as well as Newegg feedbacks)
Plans on overclocking:
I?m learning on how to properly Overclock. I?ll be doing that at some point
When do you plan to build it?
Immediately

>>>> WHAT I HAVE:
RAM: 8GB (2 kits of 4GB) --> G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
HEATSINK&FAN: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
Harddrive 1: WD Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive
I CURRENTLY HAVE THE FOLLOWING HARDDRIVES TO USE AS WELL:
Internal: 2 x Barracuda 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA
External: Western Digital 500GB Ext USB
MONTIOR: I have 2 - Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1
SOUND: I have my older Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card for now [PCI (7.1) Channels]
CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Black Computer Case
BURNER/ROM: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
OS: Windows XP Pro 64bit



-Thanks
note: updated since getting reply from member - "DSF"

 

[funkypixel]

What do you think about this Motherboard:

ASUS P5N72-T Premium LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

* CPU Type: Quad-core / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium
* FSB: 1600(OC)/1333MHz
* Number of Memory Slots: 4×240pin
* Memory Standard: DDR2 1200(OC)/1066
* Maximum Memory Supported: 8GB
* Dual Channel Supported: Yes
* PCI Express 2.0 x16: 2
* PCI Express x16: 1
* SLI Certified: Yes
* Model #: P5N72-T Premium

 

[DSF]

If your rendering program is CPU intensive, are you sure you need SLIed video cards? You can't run two monitors off of an SLI setup at the same time.

 

[funkypixel]

DSF wrote: ...are you sure you need SLIed video cards? You can't run two monitors off of an SLI setup at the same time.


No crap?
Wow, I'm glad to know this now.

Then what non-SLI motherboard would you recommend if I still get a single [XFX GX260NADF9 GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0] graphics card?

Also, what do you think about going with this PSU, since I don't need to run SLI:
PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C
newegg link

Thanks a ton, I'll look forward to your quality input