IBM ThinkCentre S50 Upgrading to a console

[ThinkPad560X]

So I have my mini IBM ThinkCentre S50 with a Pentium 4, Windows XP Pro and maxed 2GB RAM, 2 PCI slots aswell. Its almost the size as a console such as the PlayStation 3 "First Model". Im probably going to get into play PC mainly over actual console since the next Gen is coming out now, starting with the Wii U and dont feel like getting buying next gen. As I own all the Nintendos from NES to Wii and PlayStation to PS3 and XBOX - 360 and thats alot of consoles. I know I can move "Some" of my games to the newest but they would be digital only and rebuy again and some games are best on the orginal system. But if I can get all my games on one system and keep it upgraded that would be nice.

So my main probably with the ThinkCentre S50 is, no slot for Graphics card. its a built in Intel GPU, hower it does have 2 SATA slots for todays HDDs and Drives. I was eathier thinking of looking for a External Graphics card "if it exsists" or replace the motherboard. and not sure what type would fit. ATX-mini? ATX-Micro I think is too small, I buy off tigerdirect.

This is what the S30 motherboard looks like: http://www.getcomputerparts.com/images/ ... 348810.jpg

[DaKKS]

So I have my mini IBM ThinkCentre S50 with a Pentium 4, Windows XP Pro and maxed 2GB RAM, 2 PCI slots aswell. Its almost the size as a console such as the PlayStation 3 "First Model". Im probably going to get into play PC mainly over actual console since the next Gen is coming out now, starting with the Wii U and dont feel like getting buying next gen. As I own all the Nintendos from NES to Wii and PlayStation to PS3 and XBOX - 360 and thats alot of consoles. I know I can move "Some" of my games to the newest but they would be digital only and rebuy again and some games are best on the orginal system. But if I can get all my games on one system and keep it upgraded that would be nice.

So my main probably with the ThinkCentre S50 is, no slot for Graphics card. its a built in Intel GPU, hower it does have 2 SATA slots for todays HDDs and Drives. I was eathier thinking of looking for a External Graphics card "if it exsists" or replace the motherboard. and not sure what type would fit. ATX-mini? ATX-Micro I think is too small, I buy off tigerdirect.

This is what the S30 motherboard looks like: http://www.getcomputerparts.com/images/ ... 348810.jpg

I'm pretty sure you're buggered, mate. You wont be able to fit an aftermarket mobo into that thing. Even if you mod the chassis, I'd wager the PSU is proprietary which forces you to replace that too. Which would pose another issue since a normal size PSU doesn't seem to fit. I'm not saying it cant be done, I've built a gaming rig into a X360 chassis, its just very, very difficult.

You're better off building from scratch. Ivy bridge has taken a nosedive recently, and nvidias kepler cards gives a great bang for the buck.

[ThinkPad560X]

My next size up is my IBM NetVista M41 http://www.cedarpc.com/images/-86175629 ... 6335_1.jpg.
It uses the standard desktop board. Really its a tower thats layed down a true desktop. Buts its an older PC, 1GB Max and has a Pentium 4, Has a low grade Nvidia maxed card in it. And then the rest of my desktop PCs are just towers. I was wanting to make my IBM ThinkCentre M51 my game PC but the motherboard is install backward. http://www.wmarket.gr/img/p/10-50-large.jpg

I dont think its upgradable to other PCs since the ports are right side then left side. Its a fliped motherboard. This is the best PC I have, Pentium 4 3GHz, 4GB Max, Nvidia 8200 GS 1TB HDD and just Windows XP Pro. Witch brings me to my last PC is the IBM ThinkCentre A50p Its all basic tower. Its looks like someone upgrade one too. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mondo77369/5806585989/ I just have a Nvidia 6200 in this since thats all it can fit in its slot.

[pianowizard]

So my main probably with the ThinkCentre S50 is, no slot for Graphics card. its a built in Intel GPU, hower it does have 2 SATA slots for todays HDDs and Drives. I was eathier thinking of looking for a External Graphics card "if it exsists"

No, just get a PCI (*not* PCI express) video card.

This is the best PC I have, Pentium 4 3GHz, 4GB Max, Nvidia 8200 GS 1TB HDD and just Windows XP Pro.

You know, for the longest time I too didn't believe in cutting-edge technologies, preferring to use trailing-edge products instead. But computers have become so cheap that there is no reason to stubbornly stick with 2005 tech. There are tons of great computer deals right now both online and in local stores; do yourself a favor and upgrade to a brand-new (and infinitely more powerful) machine. In the past year, I bought two Core i7 desktops and couldn't be happier, and I ordered a Core i3-3220 desktop just two days ago, for only $407 shipped.

[DaKKS]

No, just get a PCI (*not* PCI express) video card.

Which will never, ever run anything more demanding than Minesweeper.

ThinkPad560X: I'd say that a50p is your best bet if you want to upgrade. But it wont be wallet friendly. I'd build from scratch if I were you. Best bang for the buck that way.

[pianowizard]

Which will never, ever run anything more demanding than Minesweeper.

Please don't exaggerate.

I'd build from scratch if I were you. Best bang for the buck that way.

Clearly a mentality from the 1990s. Since the early 2000s, turnkey systems have been far cheaper than DIY systems, at least in the U.S.

[DaKKS]

Please don't exaggerate.

There are two PCI cards that I can find over here, GT610 and HD5450. They are nearly identical performance wise, with the GT610 slightly ahead. I could barely run Skyrim, which is a far from a demanding game, on a HD5470 at 800x600 on low settings. That was with an i5-2500k at 4.8ghz, SSD and 16GB ram. I'm sorry, but that's just pathetic. If you yanks have cooked up something mind blowing, I'd love to see it, but we lowly Europeans are stuck with this sh!t. I mean, the HD4000 wipes the floor with it, maybe even the HD3000...

Clearly a mentality from the 1990s. Since the early 2000s, turnkey systems have been far cheaper than DIY systems, at least in the U.S.

I'm decently familiar with US prices but I wouldn't go that far. Also note that I wrote "bang for the buck", which doesn't necessarily mean the cheapest system. But the best price/performance ratio.