Thread: My CarPC Plan...thoughts?

Originally Posted by TWBarrett

I've been reading up, researching, and doing a lot of design things for the last couple months, and I have come up with the following hardware configuration. I welcome your thoughts and/or suggestions. The purpose of this system will be to drive a competition-level sound system, and still provide some modern amenities like GPS, MP3 playback, and WiFi that are not normally available in my 14yr old car. It will all get mounted in the CD Storage Console that belongs between the seats at the rear of the cabin, so I don't need a case. This will keep it close to me during driving, but retain a 100% stock look.

VIA EPIA MII 10000 Mainboard
Lilliput 7" Touchscreen
256mb PC2100 RAM
Samsung 120gb 7200RPM HD (3.5")
Opus 90w Power Supply
M-Audio Revolution 7.1 PCI Sound Card
Linksys 802.11g WiFi PC Card
Holux GM-210 USB GPS receiver
iGuidance 2.0 GPS Software
Assorted buttons, knobs, wires, adapters, etc

The above configuration (minus the soundcard...can't find any power numbers) eat up 66w, leaving me 24w (of rated power) for the soundcard and any other peripheral USB devices. Is this enough? Also, do I need the "low profile" ram sold on www.m-itx.com and (why can't it display the URL for L0g|cSupply) Or can I get the normal stuff, say on Crucial?

1) The 3.5" HDD may be an issue. Some people have said that the Opus won't spin up a full-size drive and have had to resort to a 2.5" laptop HDD.
2) The RAM issue is really a matter of fitment. If you're putting the EPIA board in a center console, the size may not be an issue. It is an issue in some of the low-profile cases that are made to be mounted under a seat. The only suggestion I have is check the fit and see.

That 3.5" HD only takes 8.6w at the max to spin-up and read. And all those power numbers were the max, too. Like, thats my power consumption if I'm burning, HD is seeking, CPU is at 100%, I'm surfing the web, and using GPS. heh

Also, I decided to go with the 3.5 cause I needed more space. The 2.5s are like 4x as expensive. I'll risk blowing up 4 3.5's cause of bumpy roads

Also, I decided to go with the 3.5 cause I needed more space. The 2.5s are like 4x as expensive. I'll risk blowing up 4 3.5's cause of bumpy roads

As long as you have everything backed up then it shouldn't be too much of a concern. Plus, you get more room on the 3.5"s over a 2.5" (think they max out at 80Gb). You may want to consider getting a small (>20GB) 2.5" drive and keep your OS and programs on there. This way, if the 3.5" does die, you system will still run off the 2.5" and you would just need to replace your music, etc.

Why not go with OPUS 150 and do away with your power concerns. The 150 also has the built-in ITPS which you will probably want any way. (ITPS=Startup/Shutdown controller).

Derek

Originally Posted by d_sellers1

Why not go with OPUS 150 and do away with your power concerns. The 150 also has the built-in ITPS which you will probably want any way. (ITPS=Startup/Shutdown controller).

Derek

Trying to save money wherever I can, and the 150w is rather bulky.

Any other suggestions? I'm looking to move forward with my setup, but I'd like some input from some more experienced carPC guys before I start compiling my parts.

What does the ITPS do that the Opus 90w doesn't?

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

2) The RAM issue is really a matter of fitment. If you're putting the EPIA board in a center console, the size may not be an issue. It is an issue in some of the low-profile cases that are made to be mounted under a seat. The only suggestion I have is check the fit and see.

On the few sites that cater to m-itx buyers, they stress that "their ram is tested to work with all VIA boards" which leads me to believe that some ram may not work with the VIA boards. Has anyone found this to be true? Or can I run the system, albeit poorly, on the eBay special?

doesnt the 90w Opus have the same startup/shutdown controller as the 150w version? and the opus PS are better than the ITPS cause they regulate the 12v line rather than simply passing it thru like the ITPS does.