M3-ATX with D945GCLF2

**ThePistonDoctor** · 08-25-2009, 04:00 PM

Hi all,

I currently have an M4-ATX on my D945GCLF2. The mobo will fit in a standard Mini ITX case but the pwoer supply will not, so I was thinking of changing over to the M3ATX since I am hardly using any of the power the M4 supplies. My total system draw under full load is < 50W so the M3 should be plenty.

Upon looking at the M3 on mini-box.com I discovered it doesn't have the 4-pin P4 cable. Does that mean it's not compatible with the motherboard I have? It says in the instructions for the mobo to never run it without that cable connected, so I'm weary but would like to know what it's used for.

The other question is about the PicoPSU 150XT (http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT) which would also be sufficient in terms of power and DOES have the P4 cable, but it appears it doesn't have an amp thump jumper or the ability to program start up and shut down timers (in other words, it's not "intelligent")

What would you all recommend I do? I really want to get rid of the M4 just so I can fit everything into a mini-itx case.

Thanks so much in advance!!

**soundman98** · 08-25-2009, 04:18 PM

you would need something like this:
http://store.mp3car.com/4_Pin_P4_Mol..._p/cbl-056.htm

**ThePistonDoctor** · 08-25-2009, 04:24 PM

lol, I just found that here: http://www.short-circuit.com/images/...n-p4-cable.jpg

So I would just buy the M3 ATX, plug that in, then plug the 4-pin to molex connector into the white plug from the M3 ATX and run that to the 4-pin plug on the motherboard? Then it appears I can use something like THIS: http://www.short-circuit.com/product...X-harness.html to program the M3? I can hook the power supply up to any windows PC with that cable (I'm using linux in the car, so that won't work), then program it for startup/shut down/amp delay times, then put it back onto the carPC board and I should be good to go?

If that's all I need to do I will order today! Thanks so much for the fast reply!

**Punky** · 08-25-2009, 06:09 PM

i read somewhere that the m3 doesn't work so well with dual core atoms.
I suggest you have a better look.

**ThePistonDoctor** · 08-25-2009, 06:10 PM

^care to offer any detail? "doesn't work well" isn't very descriptive. I'd like to know more if you could point me in the right direction. I will google in the mean time.

**Punky** · 08-25-2009, 06:30 PM

according to this thread (post #12), the m3 doesn't have enough juice from the 5V rail.
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/powe...core-atom.html

**strikeback03** · 08-28-2009, 01:50 PM

I tries an M3 with my LF2, and it didn't end up very well. I was using a Molex-to-P4 cable, and every so often the system would refuse to start. This was initially a once-a-week kinda thing and progressively got more common. Eventually it would not start at all, I replaced the M3 with an M2 and it has been fine. All my USB stuff is on a separate powered hub except the touchscreen USB.

IIRC the 150XT requires regulated 12V input, so not usable in a car without another power supply to feed it.