i've read everything - still freakin confused, probably because i'm a pharmacist and kno medicine to electronics (i'm gonna have to take a few classes)...

i understand that i need a DC-DC power supply because its most efficient. I need something with a low min voltage so the power doesnt cut to the psu when turning on.

I also understand that usb devices will chew up power even when car is off and nothing is "powered" on.

The DSSC is a good product because it can control multiple sources (ie my monitor and amplifier along with my computer). does it completely cut power to my computer? it says it does that but i thought a small amount of power needed to go to a computer to keep it in hibernate? is that true?

I understand also that the opus battery protection really isnt that great and if you have 4 usb devices they could suck the battery dry.

i did the carpcstore calculator and it says at maximum i would need like 230w of power - could someone verify this for me? i'm not good with this stuff getting accurate

My setup:
MOBO - this has integrated video but it doesnt say how much memory the video has
AMD mobile athalon like 2600 i think
512 ddr 1 stick
80gig 5400rpm ide 3.5" hd
maybe a PCI usb 2.0 expansion - unless someone can convince me to change my usb setup a bit
also, i will run at max 4-5 usb devices at one time...
Always on: USB touch screen, USB IR device for SWI-X, external sound card (audigy nx2)
Plug in: up to 3 of these GPS (Garmin 18), keyboard/keypad, optical mouse
external dvd-rw/+rw OR HD, jump drive, cell phone/bluetooth something

also i was just reading a thread that said micro atx are not recommended? they were recommending frodo get a micro atx, the same board as what i'm picking? would this be cool - i need power to be able to run nRoute (which reroutes you automatically) with mp3 and other apps as above.

So in summary:
1. Is my setup ok, are the usb devices cool, do you recommend anything there, how much power?
2. Should i get an opus and a dssc and call it a day, or is there another substitution
3. what about the mATX?

Thanks a million, my fiance will appreciate it because i can stop spending hours searching...