Power range for a good CarPC?

**Josho** · 03-19-2009, 01:28 PM

Well I think I'm going to go down the laptop route, although I will be fabricating a custom case for it, so I'm going to try and put the best cooling into it.

But what sort of power am I looking for? I ask as our old 3.06GHZ P4 ran really hot and was horrible. Our new 2.6GHZ dual core runs cooler.

I was thinking of looking for about 1.8-2.2 GHZ and dual core if possible. Will be buying hopefuly with smashed screens ect.

Also one other thing, is cooling them. If you've got the heating on in the car, surely the laptop gets hot?

Thanks!

**dMand** · 03-19-2009, 01:45 PM

The P4 is typically one hot beast, and can be kept stable in cooler climates. On the the other hand, a 1.2Ghz dual core will be suitable for what most people need.

Dual core 2.2Ghz is on the high end for a car pc but it's something I chose for my project. So, it all depends on what you plan on doing in your car. Is the P4 a laptop configuration?

**Josho** · 03-19-2009, 01:54 PM

P4 is a laptop config.

I would use a MicroATX but then it is the physical size of the thing. All the cards would stick up quite high. Would have to use USB cards I guess.

I did however just see a MiniITX board on eBay that had HDMI output and 7.1 sound ect. which I liked. Socket 775.

I was going to mount under the passenger seat. I may still, if my dad could cut the middle support and weld two others in but just out the way, I could do it.

Maybe I'll just go MicroATX. Although I might be able to have or buy my brothers 1.6 Celeron M laptop. 512MB but I'd up it to 1GB. Could also stick a 2GHZ in there if I wanted.

**dMand** · 03-19-2009, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Josho

P4 is a laptop config.

I would use a MicroATX but then it is the physical size of the thing. All the cards would stick up quite high. Would have to use USB cards I guess.

I did however just see a MiniITX board on eBay that had HDMI output and 7.1 sound ect. which I liked. Socket 775.

I was going to mount under the passenger seat. I may still, if my dad could cut the middle support and weld two others in but just out the way, I could do it.

Maybe I'll just go MicroATX. Although I might be able to have or buy my brothers 1.6 Celeron M laptop. 512MB but I'd up it to 1GB. Could also stick a 2GHZ in there if I wanted.

The 1.6Ghz with one gig ram should be ample to smoothly play video without pegging out at 100 processor utilization most of the time.

I find that my single core 1.2ghz laptop, with one gig ram, has 25% enough overhead CPU clock cycles doing so on WindowsXP.

Do any of these laptops that you have, use an Realtek Audio Chipset? If they do, you should be fine with the audio side of things. Realtek's latest driver update has HD audio.

**Josho** · 03-19-2009, 02:11 PM

Thanks.

I'm not sure on the Realtek. I think one may.

I have a P4 3.06GHZ that's fine just case is a bit mashed. Except it gets very hot. Also my brother dropped his laptop and has just bought another. His old is a 1.6 512MB Dell.

That doesn't have Realtek audio.

**dMand** · 03-19-2009, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Josho

Thanks.

I'm not sure on the Realtek. I think one may.

I have a P4 3.06GHZ that's fine just case is a bit mashed. Except it gets very hot. Also my brother dropped his laptop and has just bought another. His old is a 1.6 512MB Dell.

That doesn't have Realtek audio.

The P4 3Ghz is one of the hottest processors that I've encountered. If you live in say, florida or texas, I don't recommend putting that beast in your car. It will just get hotter and BSOD all day long. Anyway, if it's your only option, you can't loose by giving it a try and working with what you got.