whats a good cpu for next project?

**dman** · 07-25-2004, 04:34 AM

Hi guys. My buddy and I are wrapping un an install in his 2003 Dodge Dakota (pics and such coming soon) and I have a few questions before we do my car. In his truck we use a moboard form and old dell optiplex (p3 600 or so) running media car with dlink usb tuner and delorme earthmate GPS. While testing the install I noticed his video is kinda slow. I'm guessing its due to the cpu we used but we are going to try a better video card to see if it helps. My qestion is whats a good (and cheap) cpu to use on y car. Im not a big fan of the mini itx boards due to price and upgradeability....Thinking more along the lines of a newer atx board like the dell had with 1gig processor or so that I could find on ebay or something. Anyhoe have any suggestions or luck with anything? Also....Im not set against the mini itx boards but I dont know much about them and anything with a decent processor seemed quite pricey. So if you think they are the way to go in these applications let me know.

Thanks
DMan

**GruvThang** · 07-25-2004, 04:43 AM

The video being slow I believe is more on the part of the video card, don't get me wrong the proc, ram and HD come into play, but I am guessing that the video card (post the specs of it and I will be able to tell) in that system is the weakest link. I P3 600 should be more than enough for video.

I want to see the pics for ideas for my Durango. Hurry hurry!

**cdm** · 07-25-2004, 06:29 PM

micro-atx celeron is hard to beat mainly because of initial expense and versatility.

**dman** · 07-26-2004, 02:27 AM

Cool....thanks for the help. We bought a new vid card on ebay that should be here soon. As for the pics they shold be up later this week.....but for now I'll tell ya we were able to install the entire thing beneath/inside the center console. When you pop up the armrest there is custom plate with the DVD drive, switches, and HD and power lights.

**GruvThang** · 07-26-2004, 03:04 AM

sounds nice

**pip** · 07-26-2004, 01:14 PM

A microATX and Athlon Mobile processor is a really great combination. I have my AthlonM 2600+ running at 2ghz and is running really cool. You do need a small but effective heatsink to keep its mass down. A heavy heatsink could damage your mobo. There is a nice low profile copper cooler by Speeze intended for rackmount servers. I got mine at newegg. Light & low profile - ideal for a carputer. Cools really well too. My Athlon is running at around 35C.

**TruckinMP3** · 07-26-2004, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by cdm

micro-atx celeron is hard to beat mainly because of initial expense and versatility.

What MB are you using?

**vcbb5** · 07-26-2004, 07:03 PM

i run a mobile AMD XP 2400 in a shuttle, works great and is cool (no need to oc just for carputer though).

**xBrady** · 07-26-2004, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by pip

A microATX and Athlon Mobile processor is a really great combination. I have my AthlonM 2600+ running at 2ghz and is running really cool. You do need a small but effective heatsink to keep its mass down. A heavy heatsink could damage your mobo. There is a nice low profile copper cooler by Speeze intended for rackmount servers. I got mine at newegg. Light & low profile - ideal for a carputer. Cools really well too. My Athlon is running at around 35C.

I have the same thing except mine isn't mobile. Works just fine. Also clocked down to 2Ghz. For that I would suggest getting a XP 1700.

**Animepix** · 07-26-2004, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by dman

Hi guys. My buddy and I are wrapping un an install in his 2003 Dodge Dakota (pics and such coming soon)

Can't wait for the pics. I have a 2003 Dakota and am not sure where to install everything. I was thinking about removing the passenger airbag and putting it there, but not sure how big the space is behind the pannel. But anyway pics would be great.