Hey!

I dont have a problem, im just wondering, what do motherboards do?

What effect do the better ones have on your computer oposed to the ones you might find on a stock dell XPS 400?

If I want to get a new processor, should I get a new motherboard as well?

I dont know what motherboard I have, how do you find out?

I have a Intel Pentium Duo 2.80 GHZ processor.

I tend to like the more intensive games, and am looking forward to titals like Crysis and Assasin's Creed.

Should I get a new processor?

Thanks!

Your Motherboard is the circuit board that carries all the signals from every part of your system to any other part. It is where your processor mounts, as well as system RAM/ Video Card / Sound card -- everything... that's why it's the "mother"-board-- everything starts with Mom.

Stock Boards-- like a Dell-- have just the features and connectors needed for that system --when it was built. They'll have a few extras-- but not many.
Better-quality after-market boards have better parts /easier access when installing parts / more built-in options / more RAM slots- this gives you faster performance + more options for processor speeds. Also more connectors for things like Firewire and USB 2... so you can add as many peripherals as you want to later.
More upgradabilty = longer PC life... you get better quality now + more future options. (up to a point)

You don't necessarily need a new Motherboard to get a new processor--
BUT
you will likely get other faster functions if you do both at once
BUT
you will also likey have to change your RAM as well-- and also your Video-card... as changing a MOTHERboard changes almost all the compatibilties of your system.

This takes time-- and research--(!!) to get it right-- you do NOT pick things out without checking them thoroughly first to make sure they are all compatible with each other. They also have to fit the available space inside your case. Then there is cooling to consider-- critical to a gaming system. Games push your PC hard.

I cannot emphasize this enough--if you don't-- you could end up with parts that do not work together-- and some things are tough to return...
like processors $$$.

Check out our System Build Tutorial here:
http://www.pchelpforum.com/tutorials/29824-tutorial-how-build-your-own-pc.html

To find out what you have now-- use the System Info Tool in my sig-- below-- it's free... and it will tell you everything about your computer.

Thats is helpfull, thanks!

Now the other question!
My processor, Intel Pentium Duo 2.80 GHz

How good is it?
Is it going to cause problems with this years DX10 games?

Or is good enough that I should just worry about my video card?

To be honest-- I'm more of a hardware enthusiast-- than a gamer
The Core 2 duos get good ratings it would seem to me to be enough-- but it depends on the Video-card and/or the chipset it's used with. I can PM our Tech Team Leader-- he could answer this better than I.

I also have a suggestion for you when posting here-- my "canned" hardware speech---
I suggest-- when you repost-- go into "My PCHF" under site navigation under "edit options" --scroll down the list.
List all your hardware in the spaces (Please include brand/model #)-- at the top-- there is an option to "allow others to view my specs" click on yes. It saves a lot of time between posts if while you check something we can go look up your mobo manufacturer's site and read the manual.
You can also list your OS...all this is a great time-saver for us-- we can view everything quickly to refresh our memories... as we are all working multiple threads at once.This would be automatic from that point on-- so if you have another problem six months from now-- we can instantly know what you have.

My motherboard is a Dell 0FJ030

Cruentus-- If you do this-- we'll be able to see all the system info you have listed... it's really safe and much easier.
List all your hardware in the spaces (Please include brand/model #)-- at the top-- there is an option to "allow others to view my specs" click on yes.

As it stands right now... all we can see is a small button that says "my system information" we cannot see what that info is-- you must grant your permission for us to see it--in "user control panel"

--to see what I mean-- click the arrow next to "my PC" above... you can see all my specs.

I did it to the best of my ability.

IS it addiquite?