first carputer..making hardware list

hello all. i've been doing a lot of reading on this forum and a lot of research on hardware for my first carputer build. i've made a list of everything i think i'll need to buy, and was wondering if i could get some input on this list, ie. is everything compatible, and is it good enough. i'll be using it for dvd, videos, mp3s, GPS, and possibly Wireless LAN to connect to my home network.

heres the list-

-VIA EPIA V8000A C3 Ezra 800 mhz CPU mini ITX mobo combo

-M2-ATX 160W Intelligent DC-DC PSU

-CarPC EZ v.2.5d startup/shutdown controller (possibly...the PSU above has an onboard controller but i like the "stay on" feature on this and haven't found out if the PSU has that option.)

-slot load slim dvd drive (any suggestions?)

-7" lilliput VGA touchscreen (any suggestions?)

-Dream gear mini USB keyboard

-touch pad mouse

-3.5" 40 gig HD (already have)

-gps sensor (again, any suggestions?)

-d link PCI wireless LAN (if i decide to go wireless)

i've chosen dc-dc PSU because of it's startup/shutdown advantages, and this pc isn't extremely powerful. i'll be running windows XP pro and all audio will go through my current pioneer head unit via rca input. i'll be making a custom case, as the comp will be installed inside the center console of my car between the seats. my PC knowledge is minor compared to most people on this forum, but pretty good for an average user. i've replaced hardware, ect. this is my first complete build, and any input is greatly appreciated.

thank you!!!

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7" lilliput VGA touchscreen (any suggestions?)

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ANYTHING BUT A LILLIPUT, Xenarch is SOOO much better

MP3Car has a great little USB antenna for GPS for 75 to 80 bucks. It has software to direct the comm port to look at USB for the input. The M2-ATX is more powerful than most need and the startup/shutdown controller works very well for me. The actual wiring on it could be a challenge, and the Amp power on remote has no documentation for that PSU that I have found. I could write a long time on tips but you'll get the full deal from the PDF I wrote at the following link with 150 photos of my first project. If you are new, and I was, this will help.

http://www.trsek.org/Rob/Computers/C...ica_Car_PC.pdf

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Originally Posted by GPTech

ANYTHING BUT A LILLIPUT, Xenarch is SOOO much better

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while I agree, I don't think that this is at all useful to this guy.

Try giving him more useful information...;)

:D

thanks for the info everyone...xenarch is a little above my $$ limit for right now...i'm a little hesitant to do this just because i don't even know if i can do it and hope i get it right...there'll have to be a lot of custom fab work to my dash because it's going in a taurus which isn't really an easy job. the fab work doesn't make me nervous though it's actually getting the comp to work. so i should go with a less powerful PSU?

why not go to the epia mII12000 for a board. itll make a big difference on load times or choppyness. also, it has the pcmcia riser on board. so if you decide the audio on board isnt good enough you can slap a notebook audigy in it.

Dont forget ram youll want a minimum of 512. a gig would be good.

your m2 atx has a built in shutdown startup controller, so you wont need another one. there are jumper settings on it to determin how long to wait and how long till it hibernates the pc/shutdown and also how long till it hard offs.

Also someone mentiond that theres a lead for a remote turn on for you amp on that PS. about 10 seconds after my car starts, my amp turns on. no loud pops when your starting your car..

i wouldnt go with a less powerfull PSU. you get so much more with the one your getting and further down the line if you add anything you dont have to wonder if you have the power. I have my whole setup, along with the 12v for the lcd and the 5 v for my usb hub all coming off of it.

You also have to think about am/fm radio if your getting rid of your head unit. some people go with xm or sirrius. For AM/FM radio, the HQCT just came out. as far as tuners for a computer goes, its pretty good.

as for worrying about the pc working or not. as long as you know how to put a pc together which it looks like you do somewhat, thats a peice of cake. build the pc on the workbench. using a home ps or you can jump and get 12v from a home ps to make the dc-dc work. theres tutorials and FAQ all over the place. The fabrication and making everything pretty is always the longest/hardest. so if you think that part of its easy you got it made.

One last thing you should look into. You need to amplify the signal comingfrom the pc to the speakers. so youll need an amp.

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Originally Posted by yrean

Dont forget ram youll want a minimum of 512. a gig would be good.

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this is to be debated.

I believe that a gig of ram isn't necessary with the things that we do in the car.

512 is a good point. The more RAM the longer your boot/hibernate/stand by times. The less ram the worse the performance.

As for it being in a Taurus so that makes it more difficult?

I'm not sure I understand it. Doesn't make much sense to me.

A Taurus is one of the most basic cars out there!?

512 is about right for most aplications, but if hes going with a slower pc, hes going to need to keep more in a buffered memory. hence the 1 gig. even if its a little slower i was shooting for no choppyness and good performance.

thanks for the help everyone. i'm keeping my current pioneer head unit, which has aux in....i was planning on sending the audio signal from the comp to the hesd unit and keeping the speakers hooked up to that...which would mean i don't need an amp since they'd be getting power from the head unit right?

yes, i'll look into that other mo bo, i didn't have my heart set on that one or anything i just saw that it was cheap. i have a spare emachines (i know...) desktop that i originally was looking to integrate into this project somehow but it looks like i'll only be using the HD.

as for memory, i was planning on 512 mb most likely.

the reason it'll be kinda hard in the taurus is that i'll have to move my current cd player down about a foot, replacing the ash tray which is a tight fit. then i'll have to relocate the climate controls, which will include lengthening some vacuum tubes a bit, not too long though so i'm confident it'll work fine, i just have to figure out the final place to put them. and then of course theres the touch screen mounting, which i'm pretty sure will be the easiest fabrication part i'll have to do. basically, the most creative part will have to be moving the climate controls. i took some measurements this morning and it looks like it'll all fit if i do a good job. one good thing is that inside my center console theres tons of room...not enough to fit a standart car pc case in but i tihnk i can easily mount everything in there neat and clean.

i really can't wait to get started on this project, i just have to finalize this list so i have stuff to work with.

thanks again for all the help everyone

heres an updated list:

-epia m10000 or mII12000 (does the 12000 come with a processor?)
-512 ram
-7" lilliput 619
-m2 ATX 160w PS
-slot load dvd drive
-40 gb 3.5" HD
-BU-303 USB GPS Receiver
-Dream gear mini USB keyboard

think thats it. gotta do a little more saving though haha...but hey thats how anything cool goes.

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Originally Posted by mjs3350

-epia m10000 or mII12000 (does the 12000 come with a processor?)
-512 ram
-7" lilliput 619
-m2 ATX 160w PS
-slot load dvd drive
-40 gb 3.5" HD
-BU-303 USB GPS Receiver
-Dream gear mini USB keyboard

think thats it. gotta do a little more saving though haha...but hey thats how anything cool goes.

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If you can afford it, go for a SiRFIII GPS. The BR-355 (serial) and BU-353(usb) are SiRFIII. The BU-303 is based on the older and less sensitive SiRFII technology.

The Holux 213 is also SiRFIII and should be a bit cheaper than the GlobalSats.