Thread: Power for my atx/p4 system

Originally Posted by icerain

Could someone explain exactly what I need for a atx/p4 system. I did the whole calculator thing and figured I need a little over 250w for my carputer. I found this and I'm wondering if this is what I need? http://www.voxtechnologies.com/power...es/vtc0148.htm
Also if it is how do I hook this up to my battery? Do I need more than one battery? Is there a place to go to learn about how to hook up power to a carputer? I have searched for days...maybe I'm just a bad searcher.

1. That power supply requires a 48v input. You car's electrical system doesn't have 48v.
2. Currently there is no DC-DC power suply greater than 250w. DragonBTV is working on a 300w unit.
3. It's a lot easier to decide on a power suppy FIRST, then fit your system into those power parameters.
4. What are you going to be doing in the car that's so CPU-intensive that necessitates a P4?
5. You're searching skills suck major ***. There's a forum called the FAQ Emporium. That's as close to a 'guide' as you're going to get. ERach project is so individual and so unique that there's no one manual to cover every possible instance or situation.

You're installing a computer in a car. The car has limited power by the design of its electrical system. P4s are notoriously power-hungry CPUs. Conventional wisdom is to choose a CPU that is less power-intensive for your vehicular application. If P4 is a must, look at a P4 Mobile.