Buying new motherboard

[elmythical23]

So i am looking into getting a new motherboard, due to my comp running a little slow and games min req always increasing. I have heard that my windows will stay on my hard drive and all i need to do is make sure ram is compatable and video card also. That being said i was wondering if anyone had any checklist on what to look at to make sure the new motherboard will be compatable with my windows xp and all my hardware in case. Any help will be greatly appreaciated. also if was going to upgrade some ram i fiqured i have a GB and my processor right now is 1.7ghz, if anyone has suggestions on what to upgrade to also that would be cool.

[elmythical23]

so the internet say don't do this, just buy a new comp,"you have to buy another license" and the bios gets all kinds of fucked up so, that killed that idea.

[Major Tom]

Decide on the video card(s) you want to run then pick a motherboard.
See what other guys are running and make up your list of parts.
Can you afford SLI?