T61 4:3 extensive upgrade, clone SSD, GPU, Win8, CPU?

[JMvS]

Hello Thinkpaders!

I'm considering giving my beloved 4:3 SXGA+ T61 with Nvidia GPU a new life, I haven't been using for a while, but want to turn it into a somehow decent gaming platform. I once replaced its screen, and loved the experience, so here I am with lots of idead. I should add that I bought it 2nd hand, and that it dual boots XP SP3 and Ubuntu.

My plans:

-finally put a GPU in my Advanced Dock, I got curious of ViDock solutions for either my tablet or workstation, but then, hey! I already have an Advanced Dock! I am wondering wether I could easily fit a GT630 in there, and if not if someone would have recommended GPUs.

-clone my tiny HDD to a larger SSD (probably a Samsung 840 Pro), can/should I keep the dual booting? The thing is absolutely don't want to reinstall Windows (too many softwares I can't reinstall).
-upgrade XP to Win 8, x64 if possible, and upgrade the memory while at it, is 8GB the max?

-upgrade the CPU? I have the T7300, and while some more power would be nice, I am mostly interested in better thermal efficiency. Or would the external GPU be enough for that? I understand that going Penryn would require an alternate BIOS.

-maybe add a HDD either in the T61's or the Dock's Ultrabay. Would I have to buy a new DVD for the Dock? If yes are there Blu-Ray available? Or is it simpler/more cost effective to have the HDD in the Dock?


I've done a bit of research, but not being overly familiar with taking apart computers, I hope for some advice, for things to do, others not to, and perhaps a recommendation on which order I should do things.

Thank you!

[miro_gt]

basically you want to make your T61 like mine

here, first score from yesterday:
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm06/17106498

[JMvS]

Forgot to mention that it would be a type 8889. So Penryn compatible from what I understand. But does it need the modded BIOS or not? I'm a bit confused.

Sent from my GT-N7000 with Tapatalk

[miro_gt]

they all can run Penryn chips, the moded bios is just for you not to have to press ESC on startup in that matter (i.e. to let you know that the MB can not read the cpu built in temp sensor). No biggie.

but install it (the midletons bios), it has great features besides this ^