Thread: Newbie Question

Originally Posted by JJshives10

hi all...

first of, u have a great site here.
im new to the world of carPC and will be installing a setup in my car. but i have a couple of "your opinion needed" questions.

first off...i dont really need navigation or anything thats tied into my cars computer.

i really just want it for music and dvd's. with XP home on it. nothing more nothing less. i dont need anything tooooo fancy just something like my current dell setup has. above average graphics card but a well indepth sound card.

i want to bypass all 12volt speakers as well, and just use my computers THX certified surround sound setup to be fabbed in the car...

my question is very basic. how much would the whole setup cost me on a computer system thats not state of the art. but does get the job done.?

1. there is no way to pin down the cost. it all depends on how much work you do yourself, how much you spend on components, etc.

2. computer speakers in a car lick ***. they are not designed for use in a car. use car speakers for your car, and use home speakers for your home.

sorry to be so blunt

~mike

And see what you come up with. Find out how much the parts you want to use cost. Then add them together.

is your friend.

So is www.Pricewatch.com

If you plan to buy a mass produced computer, you'll never manage to get it below $1200.

Remember, we're here to help you with problems you have. Not to quote prices for you.

Also, like mp3z24 said,you are going to want to use your car speakers. Computer speakers will sound terrible in a car. Computer speakers aren't designed to deal with the noises found in a car. If they were, it would be a common mod to fit car's with home stereo equipment.

Originally Posted by JJshives10

even if ran off of computer in a car through a sound card.....?

and btw..i dont mind bluntness truth is best
and i will be doing all of the work myself...and dont wanna spend much more than $1200...is this possible.

building it yourself... i bet you could do it for under $1200. but like i said, it all depends on the complexity of your plan. i.e. screens, mounting, computer power and speed, ac or dc power.

pricewatch is an excellent resource. as is ebay.

on very good idea is to make a list of what you need to include in your system to get it to do what you want. that way you dont have to re-buy something when you realize you bought something that wont do what you think... (i.e. buying a composite screen only to find out it looks like crap and have to spend more money to get a vga screen)

do your research and you will be rewarded with a carputer as cheap as possible.

i probably did research for ~6 months to ~1 year before i started buying... and im still not done.

~mike

if you looking at the total cost then you are better off not knowing

I would learn as much as you can first then start buying parts as they start comin in your price range (Watch PriceWatch)

My car pc prices (general) Software not included

• 7.2" Lilliput LCD touchscreen - $300.00
• Epia m10000 motherboard and processor - $130.00
• 110W Power supply - $18.00 (need to buy and opus!!($150.00))
• 20 GB WD 7200RPM HDD - $30.00
• Linksys Wi-Fi card (usb) -$20.00
• For a Grand Total of $498.00

Your not going to get much cheaper than that... because you have to buy cords still, figure out your input devices, add a GPS optionally, and an OPUS is a must as I've found out. I don't think your going to put together a system for much less than $600.00. I have other stuff on mine but thats the basics what I paid.

nope my bad... I had the ram already... forgot to add that in.... so ummm 256MB - $30.00