Thread: ready to get started

Great! I hope your install kicks butt. One thing you said worries me:

i am already a member on this site for a few month now, but i just had no time to do research about carputer products or get more info here on the site.

Did you mean that you haven't had the time...but now you do? Or that you still don't have the time and are looking for some input on your plans?

had not much time, because i am a foodserver here in las vegas and it was pretty busy, had to put some hours in my job.

but now its the slow season, so i can get startet with my project.

i am a german dude by the way, so if i write something, that makes no sense or sounds weird to u guys, i apologize. sometimes hard for me to find the right....aaeeehhhh....words

Originally Posted by LVExpo

hi 2 all car pc freaks!


i really wanna get started with building an computer for my 02 expo. i am already a member on this site for a few month now, but i just had no time to do research about carputer products or get more info here on the site.

here is what i have in mind:

- 7" touchscreen (lilliput or xenarc) where my factory radio sits
- 15" or 17" overhead fold down screen for the second seat row
- external dvd/cd burner in slim style (installation in mid console)
- at least 100gig hdd
- gps navigation, internet access, maybe automatic sync with my home pc
- plus plus plus......

i am not sure, what motherboard i should use. i know, that i wanna go as small as possible. computer should go under my seat or maybe in my glovebox some how. if i build the computer in a mini itx case, what power supply should i use? the OPUS 150 watt DC-DC power Supply SFX.1215 does not fitt in the case right? how about the OPUS 120 watt DC-DC power Supply DCX3.120??? how many watts do i need for my comp anyway?

which one is the better screen, the lilliput or the xenarc? i like the design of the xenarc better and it also got the 5-resistive touchscreen.

one more thing. how do i hook up my car stereo amps to the comp? maybe with the sound blaster audigy 2 nx? possible to get great sound in my truck? should i get an aftermarket radio or is the touchscreen enough to handle all the audio in my vecicle?

sorry for all the questions and thanks for all the answers

pictures of my truck coming soon (at least for the ford lovers )

thanks a lot

Nico aka LVExpo

I'm GENUINELY sorry to do this but you need to . U said u have time now its the slow season so u need to do this. All of the questions here have been covered in depth i am sure.

But... choice of motherboard is a very personal thing. Most people are happy with an M10000 mini-itx board so check em out. it does most of what anyone would need.

With psus, u need to work out how much power u need. search for power calculator or just go here
http://www.mini-box.com/site/resourc...simulator.html
if space is at a premium look at the m1-atx psu provided ur under 90W.

Afaik Xenarcs are a bit better if u can afford them (a bit more pricey) but Lilliputs are good too. Again, personal choice - lots of threads, have a look.

Depending on ur board u could use the onboard sound to an amp, or get a decent USB soundcard as u suggested. Not sure what u mean by ts being good enough for ur music - it makes no sound. if u just mean "do I need a stereo" not necessarily. Again, personal choice. I dont have a stereo now. Ts drives PC, which feeds my amp. Done.

Hope this helps

And welcome to the forum

soundcard, in fact all bits, need to be cheap and simple, you _wont_ notice the difference between an audigy and a cmi8738 etc when driving.

Now if I was building a home theatre pc, I would spend more on the sound.