Weird kinda stupid question

I want to get a new motherboard, cpu, ram, and possibly graphics card. I will keep my HD the same. Will I have to reinstall windows?

hummm, i highly doubt it

I'm with duo flip

You don't have to but it would be wise to IMO.

ok...part two of the question...

what kind of cpu should i get...both good for gaming and graphics and all around messing around....

im thinking like Athlon MP 1.2...

I'd get an AMD if you are on a budget, because they are like 1/3 the price of an intel. If you want raw power, You could spend $500 on an intel cpu.

Plus with the money you save buying an AMD, you could get more RAM or a CD burner or bigger hard drive or something.

Well said, deker

I would add that you may be able to find the mobo you want WITH the cpu, as a package deal. Check places like www.tigerdirect.com, www.directron.com or www.googlegear.com you can usually save several hundred dollars by buying as a pair.

Here is a sweet deal, for example (soyo dragons are very nice boards):

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?sku=MBM-DRAGON-X2000