quesiton about carputer

**MicroDude** · 08-02-2006, 02:50 PM

ok after days of researching i just wanted to confirm if this was a valuable set up.. still in planning mind you.. i tested out with the power calcultors and it seems ok but i wanted feedback to make sur i will be ok before i start rrunning everything

VIA SP13000 Mini-ITX MB,
M2-ATX,
512 DDR400 RAM
dvd-r IDE drive (don't know which yet)
lilliput 8.4 touchscreen found on ebay (probally, might change once i figure the space i need for my dash install)
80gig to 200gig sata or ide

add on
gps with street and trip
obd2 reader (software not decided)
mp3
sirius sat radio

mainly i will use this for sat radio (oor mp3) and gps at the same time.. i was wondering is i should go for somehting bigger in term of cpu or if this is enough.. sound wise i was planning on hooking it up to my 4 channel amp using onboard sound.. should i invest in soundblaster instead?

for my sat radio i'll the unit selling at the mp3 sotre so i cna have acces to it on my screen with my front end..

now the quesiton i'm still wondering about if if i asking to much form this system? or if it will be more then ok.. aso witht he fornt end.. i looked into it a bit still got more research tod o but what would you recommend i read up on the road runner a bit and it seems interesting.. can i run street and trip with any fornt end or do i have to use specific software? thanks

**DarquePervert** · 08-02-2006, 03:02 PM

It should work just fine.

**2k1Toaster** · 08-02-2006, 03:09 PM

I use Streets and Trips with Road Runner, so it works. You can use it with any front-end, but you will probably want to skin it because of the small checkboxes and the maze of menus to get to the features you want. On a 7" touchscreen, it is a lot harder than on a full size 15"-23".

I use a via motherboard that is less powerful, and I am able to do everything you want to be doing, so your setup should be just fine.

As for the soundcard. That is up to you. I use onboard, because it is good enough for me. Some people's ears are more sensitive or are audiophiles, and use the XFi card (i think it is called), but it can be pricey. You can always use onboard and if it is not good enough, then buy a card. Better than buying the card and realizing that onboard is good enough for you.

**MicroDude** · 08-02-2006, 03:19 PM

good to know! true for the soundcard.. i'll try it that way.. i'm also debating if i want 5.1 or not.. i guess i'll have to see.. well i already bought my 4 channel amp.. gonna hook it up and work my way to the top.. so by november i should have everything i'll test everything out.. then start my carputer install

can't wait..

**MicroDude** · 08-02-2006, 03:21 PM

i'm planningon install my pc in the glove box along with my sirius unit.. since in a mazda3 the glove box is pretty big i odn't think i'll have problems..

**2k1Toaster** · 08-02-2006, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by MicroDude

i'm also debating if i want 5.1 or not

Well unless you have a center speaker, the most you can get is 4.1 (4 regular speakers and subwoofer). And the via boards can do that onboard with software tweaks.

**2k1Toaster** · 08-02-2006, 03:23 PM

There's someone on here with a MR2 maybe that installed it in the glovebox. Looked crazy because of all the wires at first, but when you looks at it, it was relatively tidy.

**MicroDude** · 08-02-2006, 03:24 PM

also does it drain the battery much? would the need of an extra battery for the amps and carputer be needed?

**2k1Toaster** · 08-02-2006, 03:27 PM

no. I would recommend a deep cycle battery, but not needed. If you leave your PC on for a bit to download stuff to it, and you do it all without the charging system active, and frequently, then it will degrade your battery.

yay for runon sentences.

btw, all this stuff is in the Newbie/FAQ section.