I recently bought this system in hopes of making a server out of it. Unfortunately due to the configuration my ISP has I am unable to have any inbound connections, or some bull**** like that. Anyways I'll be the first to admit I'm not a hardware person. Since the IBM can't be used as a server I thought about maybe making it into a semi decent gaming PC. As a teen I spent way more than I should have on video games and since I switched to a mac mainly they have been collecting dust. I just ran Everest on the PC and here are the specs: Code: --------[ EVEREST Ultimate Edition ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Version EVEREST v5.00.1650 Benchmark Module 2.4.258.0 Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/ Report Type Quick Report Computer USER-F45B8D53B6 Generator User Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail) Date 2009-03-03 Time 11:23 --------[ Summary ]----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Computer: Computer Type ACPI Multiprocessor PC Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional OS Service Pack Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11 (IE 7.0) DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c) Computer Name USER-F45B8D53B6 User Name User Logon Domain USER-F45B8D53B6 Date / Time 2009-03-03 / 11:23 Motherboard: CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 3000 MHz (15 x 200) Motherboard Name IBM 8187SYU Motherboard Chipset Intel Springdale-G i865G System Memory 502 MB (PC2100 DDR SDRAM) DIMM1: Hynix HYMD232 646A8-H 256 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-6 @ 133 MHz) (2.0-2-2-5 @ 100 MHz) DIMM3: Samsung M3 68L3223CTL-CB0 256 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-6 @ 133 MHz) (2.0-2-2-5 @ 100 MHz) BIOS Type Phoenix (09/16/04) Communication Port Communications Port (COM1) Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1) Display: Video Adapter Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller (96 MB) 3D Accelerator Intel Extreme Graphics 2 Multimedia: Audio Adapter Analog Devices AD1981B(L) @ Intel 82801EB ICH5 - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-2/A-3] Storage: IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 24DB Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive Disk Drive WD 2500BEV External USB Device (232 GB, USB) Disk Drive WDC WD400BB-23FJA0 (37 GB, IDE) Optical Drive SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-616E (16x/48x DVD-ROM) SMART Hard Disks Status OK Partitions: C: (NTFS) 38162 MB (32825 MB free) E: (FAT32) 232.8 GB (204.2 GB free) Total Size 270.1 GB (236.3 GB free) Input: Keyboard HID Keyboard Device Mouse HID-compliant mouse Network: Primary IP Address 11.2.88.13 Primary MAC Address 00-11-25-23-79-C2 Network Adapter Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT Network Connection (11.2.88.13) Peripherals: USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3] USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3] USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3] USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3] USB2 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - Enhanced USB2 Controller [A-2/A-3] USB Device USB Human Interface Device USB Device USB Human Interface Device USB Device USB Mass Storage Device DMI: DMI BIOS Vendor IBM DMI BIOS Version 2AKT46AUS DMI System Manufacturer IBM DMI System Product 8187SYU DMI System Version DMI System Serial Number KCHH8RR DMI System UUID 2C16AEAA-4C643FE7-A99F7CAE-0596ADEB DMI Motherboard Manufacturer IBM DMI Motherboard Product IBM DMI Motherboard Version DMI Motherboard Serial Number DMI Chassis Manufacturer IBM DMI Chassis Version DMI Chassis Serial Number DMI Chassis Asset Tag DMI Chassis Type Desktop Case --------[ Computer Name ]----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Computer Comment Logical NetBIOS Name Logical USER-F45B8D53B6 DNS Host Name Logical user-f45b8d53b6 DNS Domain Name Logical Fully Qualified DNS Name Logical user-f45b8d53b6 NetBIOS Name Physical USER-F45B8D53B6 DNS Host Name Physical user-f45b8d53b6 DNS Domain Name Physical Fully Qualified DNS Name Physical user-f45b8d53b6 --------[ DMI ]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ BIOS ] BIOS Properties: Vendor IBM Version 2AKT46AUS Release Date 09/16/2004 Size 512 KB Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, LS-120 Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, EDD, BBS, Smart Battery Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI, ESCD, PnP Expansion Capabilities PCI, AGP, USB [ System ] System Properties: Manufacturer IBM Product 8187SYU Serial Number KCHH8RR Universal Unique ID 2C16AEAA-4C643FE7-A99F7CAE-0596ADEB Wake-Up Type Power Switch [ Motherboard ] Motherboard Properties: Manufacturer IBM Product IBM [ Chassis ] Chassis Properties: Manufacturer IBM Chassis Type Desktop Case Boot-Up State Safe Power Supply State Safe Thermal State Safe Security Status None [ Processors / Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz ] Processor Properties: Manufacturer GenuineIntel Version Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz External Clock 100 MHz Maximum Clock 3400 MHz Current Clock 3000 MHz Type Central Processor Voltage 1.8 V Status Enabled Upgrade Socket 478 Socket Designation WMT478/NWD [ Caches / L1 Cache ] Cache Properties: Type Internal Status Enabled Operational Mode Write-Back Maximum Size 256 KB Installed Size 0 KB Supported SRAM Type Asynchronous, Burst, Pipeline Burst Current SRAM Type Asynchronous Socket Designation L1 Cache [ Caches / L2 Cache ] Cache Properties: Type Internal Status Enabled Operational Mode Write-Back Maximum Size 512 KB Installed Size 1024 KB Supported SRAM Type Asynchronous, Burst, Pipeline Burst Current SRAM Type Burst Socket Designation L2 Cache [ Memory Devices / J4 ] Memory Device Properties: Form Factor DIMM Type DDR Type Detail Synchronous Size 256 MB Total Width 64-bit Data Width 64-bit Device Locator J4 Bank Locator CH_A_DIMM0 [ Memory Devices / J5 ] Memory Device Properties: Form Factor DIMM Type DDR Type Detail Synchronous Device Locator J5 Bank Locator CH_A_DIMM1 [ Memory Devices / J15 ] Memory Device Properties: Form Factor DIMM Type DDR Type Detail Synchronous Size 256 MB Total Width 64-bit Data Width 64-bit Device Locator J15 Bank Locator CH_B_DIMM0 [ Memory Devices / J16 ] Memory Device Properties: Form Factor DIMM Type DDR Type Detail Synchronous Device Locator J16 Bank Locator CH_B_DIMM1 [ System Slots / AGP ] System Slot Properties: Slot Designation AGP Type AGP Usage Empty Data Bus Width 32-bit Length Long [ System Slots / PCI Slot #1 - J1001I ] System Slot Properties: Slot Designation PCI Slot #1 - J1001I Type PCI Usage Empty Data Bus Width 32-bit Length Long [ System Slots / PCI Slot #2 - J901I ] System Slot Properties: Slot Designation PCI Slot #2 - J901I Type PCI Usage Empty Data Bus Width 32-bit Length Long [ System Slots / PCI Slot #3 - J901I ] System Slot Properties: Slot Designation PCI Slot #3 - J901I Type PCI Usage Empty Data Bus Width 32-bit Length Long [ Port Connectors / COM 1 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Serial Port 16550A Compatible Internal Reference Designator J6 Internal Connector Type 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut) External Reference Designator COM 1 External Connector Type DB-9 pin male [ Port Connectors / Parallel ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Parallel Port ECP/EPP Internal Reference Designator J20 Internal Connector Type 25 Pin Dual Inline (pin 26 cut) External Reference Designator Parallel External Connector Type DB-25 pin female [ Port Connectors / Keyboard ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Keyboard Port Internal Reference Designator J1M1 Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator Keyboard External Connector Type Circular DIN-8 male [ Port Connectors / PS/2 Mouse ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Keyboard Port Internal Reference Designator J1M1 Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator PS/2 Mouse External Connector Type Circular DIN-8 male [ Port Connectors / USB 1 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator 4REARUSB/BOT Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 1 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / USB 2 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator 4REARUSB/MIDL Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 2 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / USB 3 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator 4REARUSB/MIDH Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 3 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / USB 4 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator 4REARUSB/TOP Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 4 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / USB 5 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator 2REARUSB/BOT Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 5 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / USB 6 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator 2REARUSB/TOP Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 6 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / USB 7 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator FRONTUSB/BOT Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 7 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / USB 8 ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type USB Internal Reference Designator FRONTUSB/TOP Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator USB 8 External Connector Type USB [ Port Connectors / Audio Line In ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Audio Port Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator Audio Line In External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones) [ Port Connectors / Audio Line Out ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Audio Port Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator Audio Line Out External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones) [ Port Connectors / Microphone ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Audio Port Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator Microphone External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones) [ Port Connectors / Network ] Port Connector Properties: Port Type Network Port Internal Reference Designator J12 Internal Connector Type None External Reference Designator Network External Connector Type RJ-45 [ On-Board Devices / IBM Embedded Security Hardware Type 0 ] On-Board Device Properties: Description IBM Embedded Security Hardware Type 0 Status Disabled [ On-Board Devices / AD1981 ] On-Board Device Properties: Description AD1981 Type Sound Status Enabled [ Miscellaneous ] Miscellaneous: OEM String BB:2A46A System Configuration Option JP 7: 1-2 Normal, 2-3 Clear CMOS/Boot Block Recovery What upgrades can I do here? I would love a video card, which ones are known to be compatible? Please suggest from economical cards to high end gaming cards.
Well, your system doesn't have much RAM at all, so that will definitely be a bottleneck for you. You'll want at least a couple gigs -- RAM is cheap these days. As for the video, looks like you're stuck with the obsolete AGP architecture. It'll never be a kickass rig for gaming, but if you throw an Nvidia 8-series card in there, you can definitely play some fairly recent titles without much trouble.
well you'll probably be needing a completely new computer, you have socket 478 and DDR, so it will not really be worth upgrading. What is your budget?
