Thread: Processor/Mobo Question

These are vastly different solutions.

The VIA option is cheap, is low pwer, uses little power and does not develop a lot of heat. It will run GPS and will play music and probably movies...but not a lot more. Front ends with a lot of flash animation will give it problems.

A microATX board and 64 bit processor on the other hand will ba able to handle anything you want to throw at it. But....

Make sure it has decent onboard video. Better than using a seperate card.

Make sure you use a mobile processor. This reduces heat & power requirements.

MAKE SURE YOU CAN POWER IT. Such a setup will require a hefty power supply. Even using onboard video & a mobile processor you'll need much more power than the VIA requires.

It will develop a lot more heat. You'll need a low mass heatsink...stops it moving too much.

Read the FAQs, this has been covered before.

Personally, I'd say go for the more powerful option. It allows you to do more, the video will be better, you can use flash in your fron end skins and will run thing faster.

Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

I am very close to beginning my build, but I wanted a 2nd opinion on the processor and motherboard I am considering.

I have been trying to decide between a VIA micro board with a built in 800MHz-1 Ghz processor or a micro atx board capable of carrying an Athlon 64 3200+ processor on it.

Any pros/cons to either choice, opinions, or a completely different suggestion would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

I am very close to beginning my build, but I wanted a 2nd opinion on the processor and motherboard I am considering.

I have been trying to decide between a VIA micro board with a built in 800MHz-1 Ghz processor or a micro atx board capable of carrying an Athlon 64 3200+ processor on it.

Any pros/cons to either choice, opinions, or a completely different suggestion would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

Ludicrous speed ?

Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

An Athlon 3200+ is only rated at 1.8-2GHz depending on the socket type. I don't deem it to be too ludicrous as I'm hoping for a quick startup and to be able to run all the things I'm wanting to.

Sure, it only compares roughly to a P4 3+ ghz processor....ludicrous in a car environment.

You asked for opinions. Do not argue when you get them... even if you do not like what you read.

Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

What type of processor would you suggest? I'm hoping to be able to run a combination of GPS, phone control, and music at the same time while looking for fast startup speeds as well.

Low power is the rule for in-car installs, plain and simple.

Pentium 2 era 400 to 500 mhz would be plenty of processor... or lower,
That means it is easier to power and cool.

You really have to decide what you want the computer to do. MP3's, Video, GPS, mobile office setup, etc.. A small processor can handle this as multi-tasking will be limited. The smaller the processor the less heat generated as well. Heat and confined spaces I would say don't go well together. Also you stated an Athlon 64 3200+, not XP there's a difference there. I would look for an early AMD Duron, Thunderbird or low Athlon CPU. I got a 2500+ cause it was $40. I was going to use a Duron 800.

i have an amd 3200 on a micro atx board using the DSATX power supply and 2 60mm fans and have had no issues with it in my case in my car in 100* days. and jeez does it fly! i would reccomend this route for expandability. if you want to use streetdeck ( TWO THUMBS UP) in the future then youll be glad you went the amd route. plus i wouldnt say its cheaper but eiterh way you go, its about the same price in the end.