Laptop or Desktop for Car PC

**DarkStar02** · 01-31-2007, 09:30 PM

I have a fully functioning old Dell PIII 500mhz laptop with 256mb of RAM and a 10gb HDD that I took apart and was planning to use in my CarPC until I found out that the battery is dead. My only option that I can think of would be to buy a power inverter and wire a relay and buy a new battery.

I would run Windows XP so I could set it to power on when the AC adapter is present and to hibernate after 20 minutes on battery. So that way, I would only have to manually power it on after not using it for a couple days.

That would be $100 plus $30 for the inverter and new battery.

However, I could also SELL the laptop on eBay for like $100-$200, and buy a brand new desktop off newegg with:

HITACHI Deskstar 7K80 HDS728080PLA380 (0A30356) 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $42.99

PC CHIPS M-871G V1.5 Socket 754 SiS 760 GX Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $35.99

APEX AL-B200SFX ATX12V MICRO ATX 200W Power Supply - 17.99

WINTEC AMPO 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Desktop Memory Model 35145588-P - $36.99

KINAMAX BT-USBM USB 2.0 Mini Wireless Bluetooth Dongle External Adapter - $14.99

AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo 1.6GHz Socket 754 Processor Model SDA2800BXBOX - $34.50

Subtotal: $183.45

and then buy a startup/shutdown controller off here for like $40 and build my own plexiglass case (I already have a DVD+-RW DL burner, so no need for an optical drive).

P.S. I already bought a 7" WS lilly off ebay (the EBY model).

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

**Calipso** · 01-31-2007, 09:39 PM

Neither, get a mini case, mini mobo and other assorted items required for this.

I wouldn't want to run a desktop in my car.

**DarkStar02** · 01-31-2007, 10:24 PM

The "Desktop" is a microATX system.

**2k1Toaster** · 01-31-2007, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by DarkStar02

The "Desktop" is a microATX system.

you will need a beefy PSU to power that rediculous setup. A DS-ATX will cost you over $200. Also heat.

And what the hell will you use all that for?

CarPC = Music, Internet, GPS, Video, Console Emulators

All of which can be done on a system with lower specs than a 700Mhz P3. Base your next idea of of that.

No to that desktop.

**DarkStar02** · 01-31-2007, 10:43 PM

Why is that a rediculous setup? That's the cheapest processor on the site and only 512mb RAM. You yourself have 1gb! I just want a quick boot. But then again you would know better than I would.

**2k1Toaster** · 02-01-2007, 12:14 AM

That AMD is a full desktop processor. If you go AMD, then you need a mobile solution. And any full AMD is overkill for a basic to advanced system. Will you be encoding video and playing WoW while driving? Did I hear you say no? Good. because that would be dumb.

RAM does not do much in terms of power usage. I use a via board. It uses a C3 processor. Not an Intel, not an AMD. It is a x86 chip that runs equivalent to a PIII 700Mhz but the total power used for the entire mobo is only 25W at most.

Your system draws way more than that for just the processor.

**2k1Toaster** · 02-01-2007, 12:16 AM

And just to let you know, more RAM makes for a slower boot, and slower hibernation. Not faster.

**DarkStar02** · 02-01-2007, 12:48 AM

But I won't be able to find a VIA system for under $200 like I was able to with the AMD stuff. Why not just get more performance for less price?

**2k1Toaster** · 02-01-2007, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by DarkStar02

But I won't be able to find a VIA system for under $200 like I was able to with the AMD stuff. Why not just get more performance for less price?

it ends up costing more.

Power. Look at how expensive the DS-ATX is compared to the M2-ATX.

Heat. More power equals more heat. How hot does the inside of your car get when parked in the sun?

Size. A 5" by 5" board or a 7" by 7" board is much easier to fit in the dash than a uATX board.

**2k1Toaster** · 02-01-2007, 12:56 AM

And I just realized you said for under $200.

I got my board for $90 and $10 for shipping. via boards have the CPU on them. Add RAM, a HD, and a PSU and you are done.

And that was almost exactly 1 full year ago.