Thread: So I'm getting a list of parts together for my carpc need some feedback please

This looks like a nice list to me; the motherboard looks like a good choice (almost tempted to buy one for work just to mess around with it). I'm not a fan of the motorized monitors however, but they are probably a necessary evil in some installs. I really don't have any personal experience to backup my dislike for them either, just having a motorized part seems like you're asking for trouble down the line.

Yeah I'm still kinda back and forth on the monitor. I don't mind it though cause my current HU (A Pioneer AVH 5700 DVD) is a motorized flip out unit. In order to go with a fixed screen the way I want it, I would have to figure out a way to relocate the pioneer. With all the stuff i have going on I don't know if I'll have the time to do a a re-fab of my dash. The VMi70 give me a quick monitor solution while keeping my HU in its current location.

Why not find a used micro ATX mainboard and a used desktop processor? I really don't like the 'Netbook' Atom Intel's...even though they are dual core, they have no processing power at all...
But then again, maybe an Atom is all you'll ever need?

2Gb of RAM is overkill and will slow down your hibernate times...

Why 2 batteries and (is this right) 2 altenators? Or did you just upgrade your alt?

If your running high-end audio equipment ,or looking to do a SQ install, then you really don't want to use integrated audio...
Since you didn't mentioin a sound card, then I'm assuming integrated.

the atom is only nice if you want the extended battery runtime while your car is off. if that is what you want, i still highly suggest the ION setup, because like wungun said the cpu isnt powerful enough for much... with ION graphics though, you add a ton of flexibility without sacrificing battery power or a lot of cost.

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

Why not find a used micro ATX mainboard and a used desktop processor? I really don't like the 'Netbook' Atom Intel's...even though they are dual core, they have no processing power at all...
But then again, maybe an Atom is all you'll ever need?

Size (physical) is a huge factor for me right now. With this thing going under my second row seats along with a long *** kicker ZX640.4 amp, I just won't have enough room for a micro atx board and a case. Funny though cause I have at least two regular ATX boards available right now. They're just too big for where I want to place them. The small footprint of the mini ITX boards will work out well for what I need. Also I don't have any of the newer intel cpu's on hand. I have one socket 478 P4 available, but I plan on using that for a Ubuntu home server system.

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

2Gb of RAM is overkill and will slow down your hibernate times...

Do you think that 1GB of RAM will be okay? I really want this for playing music, music videos, GPS, and maybe internet. I'll have to also get wifi on it somehow to be able to connect to my home system to DL and UL music files.

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

Why 2 batteries and (is this right) 2 altenators? Or did you just upgrade your alt?

I have a huge stereo in the truck. Two 18's subwoofers and 2 Kicker ZX2500.1 mono amps. I'm roughly supplying, with my truck current voltage around 4000 RMS to my subs. With the second alternator and addition batteries, I'm looking to get that up to around 5300 RMS. I'm already running three batteries in my truck off the stock 160amp alt. Adding two more will def put the strain on the stock alt so a second one will be needed. And before you ask, I've been into car audio long before carpc.

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

If your running high-end audio equipment ,or looking to do a SQ install, then you really don't want to use integrated audio...
Since you didn't mentioin a sound card, then I'm assuming integrated.

Yup I'm not running a true SQ install. More of an SQL type of deal. The audio was a concern especially since the mobo I picked only comes with 1 PCI slot. So I might shop around looking at different boards before I make my final decision. Another thought is to just have the pc go throught the deck and then the deck out to a Rockford Fosgate 360.2 sound processor before the signals hit the amps. That would help clean up the signals some but I'm trying to avoid that route since the RF 360.2 is over $500.

Originally Posted by trader007

the atom is only nice if you want the extended battery runtime while your car is off. if that is what you want, i still highly suggest the ION setup, because like wungun said the cpu isnt powerful enough for much... with ION graphics though, you add a ton of flexibility without sacrificing battery power or a lot of cost.

What would be a good ION board to look at? Do they make some with built in wifi and more than 1 PCI slot? Also what did you think about the price that NewEgg was offering for some of the items I had. Do you think I can get better pricing if I look around at other internet vendors?

I'd opt for the BOXD945GCLF2 just to get the s-video out.

$900 dollars? Sorry but you have grosely underestimated the cost of a car pc. To be realistic you should really add an extra 50% in the quota to account for F'ups, Change of ideas, incompatibilities etc etc. just to be safe

I'm using this ION board in my install, which has built-in wifi: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813500036