IBM Thinkcentre 8187 Upgrades?

aaon

Geek Trainee
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?
 
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