need advice on carpc setup

**00christian00** · 04-12-2005, 11:53 AM

Hi all,i'm new here.I read many post these days doing many search but still can't decide what to do.I'm a tech lover,and i want to fullfill my peugeot 106 with many beatufil gadget but don't want to spend much,therefore so far i decided to buy the following:a mini pc(not a epia one,but something with a celoron or p3 cause it's "cheaper"),a flip down vga screen(cause it's easily hideable from thief and "cheaper" than in dash) and a dvb-t standalone tuner like the one from cartft.So how do you think should i power all this?
I read many post about opus vs inverter,but haven't understand if i can power external source with that too and if it will have enough power.Consider that i'll probably add a pci video card if the internal one doesn't support 800x480.About 800x480 some suggestion on a cheap video card that support that?I don't want a geforce fx or other monster.

EDIT
I forgot the gps and maybe an external usb audio card

**00christian00** · 04-13-2005, 04:31 AM

Ok,i solved the resolution problem.I bought a radeon 7000 pci,always thank to the search of the forum,but please answer the power question,i have no clue about that

Please please.....

**shizzle** · 04-13-2005, 04:45 AM

I read many post about opus vs inverter,but haven't understand if i can power external source with that too and if it will have enough power.

Im not sure what youre asking...
The opus is great, if it meets your power needs. Look at the power ratings for all of your devices, and try using a wattage or "power calculator" to see if you are going to overload it or not. Generally those "cheaper" items will draw more power, as they are not designed for the in car environment. I honestly dont know if the opus will handle your needs.

Anyone who has done a similar setup would be the one to ask. I am running an inverter because its simpler and works great FOR ME. It may not work well at all depending on your car and setup.

**00christian00** · 04-13-2005, 05:19 AM

Returning again with new knowledge

I'm starting to understand something.The only one component that need an inverter or a dc dc adapter is the pc i can plug the monitor and the tuner to the battery,right?But if i want to power everything on startup and shutdown of the engine including the tuner?

**shizzle** · 04-13-2005, 05:54 AM

If you want those devices to survive engine crank, or survive at all (if unregulated) you will need a solution like the opus.

**00christian00** · 04-13-2005, 10:50 AM

I care only that they will power up and shutdown as the car does,as i don't want to endup with my battery drained,i don't plan to use them much with stopped car,as it was already lasting very little with only the car audio system.However seeing that this opus is the non plus ultra,what are the max spec i can afford for my pc considering that it has to power up the tuner (18w on the spec) and the roofmount lcd touchscreen?
Not considering the epia obviously,as i'm planning on buying some new or used bargain pc on ebay,hopefully around 150 euro.epia with at least an m10000 or m12000 are exspensive(400 euro at least).

**ryan-neil** · 06-10-2005, 02:44 AM

Hi Christian,

I would recommend that you purchase a IBM Netvista, a PIII 1GHz Small Form Factor case with a flex atx can be had for a mere 100euro using Buy It Now, this is what i have and it has 2 available pci slots, it can power from an OPUS120Watt as it comes with a Standard 95watt power supply, it also uses 3.5" HDD and 5.25" Drives so its simple and cheap to upgrade,

Neil (EIRE 32)

**00christian00** · 06-10-2005, 04:19 AM

Doh,if i had know it before i had bought it

Well now i opted for a new celeron D 340 (2.4ghz) that should have lower wattage consumption than the previous models,a motherboard with a radeon 9100 integrated,and an audiotrak prodigy 7.1 lt.I hope the opus 150w can handle it.
Now i'm building the case with wood,and when that new indash screen is out i'm going to mount it all.Hope it works fine.
Thanks for the input however.

**cala** · 06-10-2005, 04:23 AM

differences between
M1-ATX 12V 2A
5V 10A

Opus 120W 12V 3,5A
5V 8A

so if you have many desktop PC components. cdrom hdd etc, then you need powerful 12V rail. ig you have laptop components then you need powerful 5V rail. so which components you are using makes your choise from PSU-s.

i took M1-ATX, while i have all laptop parts working on 5V rail. 12V is used only by mobo and 2 ventilators

**FociMan** · 06-10-2005, 04:32 AM

I'm using the M1-ATX with an EPIA M10K, desktop DVD Rom and Laptop HDD. I'm also powering the touchscreen from the 12v rail and an external powered USB hub from the 5v rail. It handles all of this fine, but it has a lot to do with the fact that the EPIA mobo is not drawing as much current as a full P3 or Celeron mobo would. I'm not sure the M!-ATX would handle it so the OPUS (although more expensive) is probably the best option for you. Both the M1-ATX and the OPUS power the PC on and off gracefully and survive engine cranks.