Thread: Newbie: What to do

So, basically you want to do what every other person who has ever posted on this forums wants to do? The only thing that would be hard is 5.1, a lot of people have problems, as you have to get multiple amps or a 5 channel amp, the right soundcard, a voice speaker, a sub, and 4 mids. Otherwise...

Read the project forum, lots of ideas with specs and examples.
I would suggest using the P3 at first toy get a feel for what you really need. Plus you already own it.

Option 1 - Take an old p3 computer that i have im not using, and upgrade it to do what i want. Obviosly this is not the best solution because it is only a p3 600 mhz.

Many people use old computers, P3's, P2's, old Duron's, or just whatever they have laying around. Even if people build a mini-ITX/ATX computer specifically for their computer, they ususally are under/around the 1GHz range. Power consumption and heat are the main reasons.

Option 2 - Go To ebay, and buy a p4 desktop computer, make a custom case for the trunk, and upgrade whatever is needed for in car use.

You could do this, but beware, P4's suck up juice like no other, and you dont need all that speed. Most people would build a case and use it with your option 1.

Option 3 - Build a computer from scratch, this would problably be the cheapest solution, and best because i am getting exactly what i want in terms of specs, and nothing more. I am hesitant toward this option because I can easily upgrade a computer, but have never attempted to build one from scratch, or witnessed someone do it. If I go this route i would like to have:

Probably not the cheapest. Building your own system from scratch will probably run about $700 depending on case and form factor. Seriously, if you have an old ~800MHz computer laying around, build a custom case, use that computer, buy an OPUS and a touch screen. You're set.

I aint been on these forums long, (but i have been around the block :-) and i got me entire CarPC/CarPuter (whatever you wanna call it), from bought to built to installed in a matter of weeks. (still working on USB sound though) If you break down what you wanna do into little chunks and then search the forums on the particular items, your gonna find a wealth of knowledge.

Im running a Laptop and a lilliput 7" TS, no need for an inverter, works well. There are a number of people on here who run on laptops, and there are pros and cons, i would say design and build is easier, but expandability/upgradeability is not.

USB sound? Although I loathe Creative, i think the MP3+ is about $25US and would rock your world.

Originally Posted by BiohazrD

USB sound? Although I loathe Creative, i think the MP3+ is about $25US and would rock your world.

Great, thanks for the feed back, i have had my eye on them for a little bit now. - rekon i might just grab one. here....->

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=WDVW&tc=photo

I seriously think it is one of the best things Creative has made. I cant stand the Audigy series. The drivers suck.

well it sounds like the best idea is to go with the p3, if i do that, what would i use for power?

Originally Posted by friedmaster

well it sounds like the best idea is to go with the p3, if i do that, what would i use for power?

If its a desktop, you need to get an inverter - prices/capacities vary
If its a laptop, grab a cigarette lighter adapter from eBay - 20 bucks.