Yea, I know I'm pushing a huge wall here. According to one review, this CPU under load requires 256Watts (154 Normal). Another review claims 300W under load (199W idle). I went ahead and purchased the Opus 360W, and am hoping it will suffice. Otherwise I don't have any problems under clocking the CPU.Originally Posted by HiJackZX1
I'm not even planning on adding any display to this PC either, so I don't have to worry about it taking power. I'll be using my windows mobile phone as a display. I have no plans for any additional USB peripherals, except a place where I can connect my phone for charging/syncing.
Yes, a quad-core is overkill.
However your odea on the power needs is off. The Pehenom II quad-cores suck down 95-125w, which is comparable to other performance-oriented CPUs.
That said, I don't think a CPU drawing that much power is the best choice or a vehicle install.
Are you suggesting a system that pulls that much power for a vehicle will cause the vehicle itself to suffer from a lack of power? If that is the case, is there anything that I can/should do on the alternator side to make sure that the car will have adequate power because I'm only using a factory alternator on my '05 grand-am?
The reason I'm going quad core, is not because I require the performance of such a processor, it's simply because I've got one lying around. 'Over-kill' (whatever that actually means technically speaking) or not, at this point in the build I'm looking for a system that will collect gps data (Migrating from a custom piece of software I built for my windows mobile phone), collect OBD-II data, and provide audio to my car stereo. Do I have the components required for this? I think so.
Moderators: it appears I have a missing post between #10 and #11. Is it because I included a hyperlink in it? I know I'm new here and all, but how long does this 'probationary period' last?
Your post was awaiting moderation. You should be ok from now on.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story
Thanks! And OOOH, an IRC Channel!
Possibly.
The bigger reason not to use a CPU with a high power draw in a vehicle is heat. The more power the CPU draws, the more heat it will generate.
As I'm certain you're aware, heat is the enemy of electronics.
In the car, temperatures can get warm, especially if you locate the PC in the trunk (or boot, if you prefer) where there is no climate control.
If your alternator can't keep up, then it's probably faulty.If that is the case, is there anything that I can/should do on the alternator side to make sure that the car will have adequate power because I'm only using a factory alternator on my '05 grand-am?
A PC that requires a high power draw requires a PSU that can power it, which costs more. A DC-DC PSU, which is the ideal for in-car use, will get pricey.
Also, a high-pwer draw CPU leaves you with fewer options for peripherals, because you're using so much of your power allotment for the CPU itself. You could potentially paint yourself into a corner, forcing you to choose more expensive comonents to accomodate the more powerful CPU.
You could use an inverter (generally nt recommended), but powerful inverters get pricey as well as take up a lot of space.
Must be nice to have high-end hardware simply 'lying around'.The reason I'm going quad core, is not because I require the performance of such a processor, it's simply because I've got one lying around. 'Over-kill' (whatever that actually means technically speaking) or not, at this point in the build I'm looking for a system that will collect gps data (Migrating from a custom piece of software I built for my windows mobile phone), collect OBD-II data, and provide audio to my car stereo. Do I have the components required for this? I think so.
And it's overkill simply because the typical tasks required of a vehicle PC do not require the latest and greatest CPU and all the computing horsepower it requires.
If you're building on a budget, then by all means, use hat you've got. You certainly wouldn't be the first.
But you may want to consider alternatives to accomodate your budget, your needs, your space requirements, etc.
Personally, I'd recommend seeing what you can get for that processor on Ebay and buy something lower power, rather that worry about cooling and powering a 125W TDP chip.
For reference though, by desktop system at work is a Q6600 @ 3GHz, the whole tower draws 100W at idle and ~180 at load from the wall out of a 650W Enermax PSU. P35 chipset, 3 sticks RAM, 1 HDD, 1 optical, 1 7300GT.
You're right, for the current phase of this build, I'm have very basic computational needs, and it's more than over-kill. However my plans for the future of this project do require much more.
Thanks for the advice. However at this point in the game, most components are ready to go with the exception of the cooling. I would absolutely love to make use of the full power of this CPU in the long run, which is why I'm sticking with this particular layout for the present time. I will more than likely down clock this system pretty drastically for the first few phases of this project. (I know AMD has disabled a core and named chips X3s instead of X4, maybe there's a way I can disable one or two, to help get me with the heat challenges)
I understand I'm out on a limb here. From a practical standpoint I understand you guys are correct, and it's not worth the effort attempting such a power consuming build, but I'm not looking for changes to the underlying system unless it's simply can not be done.
Bottom line is, and I know I'm crazy, but I want to make this happen.
All options are on the table still. Even if it means I need to purchase a fridge to house the unit.
Thanks!
You will have to upgrade your alternator. Im updating mine to a 220 AMP Alternator and a Deep Cycle Battery. This should also work on your setup too.
HiJackZX1 w/ The Tobiathin Core PC system!
ZOTAC GF9300-G-E
INTEL E8200
4 Gigs
OCZ Vertex 2 SSD
OPUS 320
1 Lilliput, 1 MTSVO-SC K301, 4 VM70 screens, 1 Eonon 19in
Starting Raspberry Pi multizone project.
Then buy a fridge.
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