Which would be the better computer to start with?

**thylacine222** · 06-22-2007, 10:04 AM

I have two computers that I could start with to make my carpc (I actually have 3 of them, but one of them would not be very desirable because of the power supply)

The first one used to be my old computer. It's a 2.0ghz Celeron Processor with a DVD drive and 512 mb of ram.

The other one is a very compact little HP Computer, about the size of a large book, that has an 800Mhz Pentium 3 Processor and 256 Mb of ram. However, it only has a CD drive, but this is OK because I don't forsee myself watching any DVDs in the car, and if I did I could just convert them and send them to this computer over the network. This computer also has an external power supply, which I think would be better for the computer, because I can just find a way to get 12V into the computer and use the plug on the back of the computer to connect to it.

I can upgrade the ram on both computers.

I'm planning on using Linux for my carpc. I know that both of these computers would be more than enough to run basic things like watching video and playing music, because I already do that with them. I also hope to have GPS capabilities. I know that there aren't very many vector GPS applications for linux and they're not very developed, but I don't really care about that right now.

Do you think that using the 2 Ghz Celeron would be overkill? I have many other things that I can use it for, so it wouldn't be like it wouldn't be used.

**DodgeCummins** · 06-22-2007, 10:37 AM

As far as performance goes, either machine has enough.

If you want the most eyecandy you can stick in a display, then you will need the faster machine.

If the faster one has a standard PSU connection...then you can get a DC/DC converter here or many other places to power it.

The faster computer will create more heat, and use more power.

You can probably find a DVD drive to fit your slower computer.

I would install the programs you would use in your car on both computers, and see if you can tell the difference in performance.

**thylacine222** · 06-22-2007, 12:09 PM

I dunno if I can install a DVD drive in the old one, it uses a laptop drive, I think. I'm leaning towards the smaller one because of the heat issue. My car is black, so...

**crooper** · 06-22-2007, 03:47 PM

Smaller is easier to fit in your car. You can get an adaptor to convert your laptop drive to a regular IDE and/or usb connector. CPU speed and ram above 512 megs is only important if you're running higher end stuff or you need to shave a few seconds off your load time (IMO).

**thylacine222** · 06-22-2007, 04:15 PM

I actually think that the smaller pc has a standby mode, so I think I'm going to go with that one. As for the CD Drive, I'm not really concerned, again, I don't forsee watching DVDs in my car, though I could connect to my MythTV computer to watch TV shows if I wanted.

**symon_say** · 06-22-2007, 04:58 PM

you can get a laptop drive on ebay for really cheap, i get one for $20.

**crooper** · 06-22-2007, 08:01 PM

Might consider getting another 256 megs of ram for your little computer, so you can turn off the pagefile. Also you can get a new microATX board and cpu for it down the road if/when you want something faster.

**thylacine222** · 06-22-2007, 09:14 PM

I really don't care about that much power, all I'm doing is listening to music or getting directions or going online and stuff like that. I can do that all at an excellent speed on the computer right now.

All right, I guess I've decided to choose this computer, so I have another question.

The external power supply on this computer is rated for 19V, 3160 mAh. I know that car batteries are usually 12V and they can spike and lower in voltage, so I would need to create some sort of regulator. I have experience in soldering, but not in creating my own electronics. Would it be better if I made my own, it doesn't seem to be that hard from what I have seen online, or would it be possible to buy something like this. I would prefer to not use an inverter because I would like to keep my set up as simple as possible.

**DodgeCummins** · 06-23-2007, 09:34 PM

Yes, you need a 4 amp (3.2 really) 19v auto power adapter...something like a 75watt laptop adapter...that sounds like my Dell laptop's adapter (20v at 3.5 amps).

**thylacine222** · 06-23-2007, 10:32 PM

Would I be able to connect the adapter directly to the car battery in the same way that you can connect DC-DC power supplies for other computers, or would I have to use a cigarette plug?