A few power supply questions and the KP-DX250H

**tuxamd** · 06-10-2005, 12:31 PM

I'm thinking of building a full atx system for my car (music is not the primary reason). I've done quite a lot of digging on the net for good ATX DC to DC power supplies and it appears that most of the higher watt models require 24 or 48 vdc. It appears that a converter would be needed to get that voltage. Since I would not like to waste more power with inefficient unnecessary steps I'd like to have a 12 VDC input only model. The best one I could find is the KP-DX250H.

Now my first question is, someone else on this forum said they don't have auto starup and shutdown features. How would I go about solving that and which devices would you recommend? I intend to use a full ATX motherboard in this setup.

My second question is, I know 250W is very low by today's home computer standards, but how much could a 250W (that model specifically) power? I want to run a some sort of p4 that's at least 2.6 but I'm not sure how high I can go. The special motherboard which I am using supports up to a 3.4 800fsb extreme. What is the fastest that you think it could support? Also, I plan to have a few cards in this, such as sound and some specialized ISA cards. How many hard drives could run with the spare power? I was thinking of doing a hardware raid 1 since hard drives going through pot holes isn't really a reassuring idea of data safety.

My last question is, are there any better power supplies that only require the 12 vdc input? I found this one at http://store.orbitmicro.com/commerce...0h-s111209.htm
and its $179. Is that a good price?

**fuctup** · 06-10-2005, 12:55 PM

why do you need a p4 and full size atx ?

**tuxamd** · 06-10-2005, 01:07 PM

Because I have specialized ISA cards I need to use. Supermicro is the last manufacturer who makes the fastest boards that actually have ISA support. I'm building the system around the board.

**tuxamd** · 06-11-2005, 12:40 PM

Have I went over intellectual capacity of this board by asking questions about doing something other than making piece of **** boxes to play retarded mainstream music on? I hope not all members here are "fuctup". Thanks for your great help

**Tuckie** · 06-11-2005, 12:48 PM

Well, I was about to offer my advice on the matter, but then I read your last post; at which point I decided that you are too much of an impatient ******* and don't deserve any help.

**tuxamd** · 06-11-2005, 01:00 PM

I'm not. But getting such meaningless replies such as "fuctup" there doesn't help the situation.

I'm sure you're just saying that, because if you never saw that heated post I made you would have had no interest in replying and ignored it like every other reader. Not to mention it wouldn't have been bumped and you wouldn't have noticed in the first place. Eventually it would have been burried in the posts with just my post and mr. crashed van genius there.

**PatO** · 06-11-2005, 10:58 PM

Chill Tux.
fuctup has a good point - why do you need that much power? What would you use it for? Are you going to play Doom III at 1920x1440 on a 7" Xenarc? What, then? The point is that EVERY other install on this board (AFAIK) doesn't run higher than 1024x768 res because A) don't need it, and B) LCD's which are small enough to mount in the dash don't support it. So I ask again - why the heck would you need that much processing power? I'm curious - seriously!

And keep searching. All of your questions can be answered in previous threads. Look for a "power supply calculator" and check out the MP3car.com store for suitable sdc's.

**tuxamd** · 06-12-2005, 02:17 AM

I understand that the majority of users on this forum build underpowered machines for listening to mp3s or watching video in a car. Though I may eventually use this computer for similar purposes, the primary function will not be entertainment. I do not intend to play games on it, watch movies, or even install a windows operating system.

I have specialized hardware as I've mentioned previously which requires number crunching. Unfortunately the only modern motherboard still compatible is made by Super Micro and uses the Intel P4. I'm not going to go into much detail but I hope that explanation is adequate.

**DarquePervert** · 06-12-2005, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by tuxamd

Because I have specialized ISA cards I need to use. Supermicro is the last manufacturer who makes the fastest boards that actually have ISA support. I'm building the system around the board.

Specifically, what are those ISA cards? There's likely another solution in USB or PCI form that would work for you. I'd bet my dog on it.

I understand that the majority of users on this forum build underpowered machines for listening to mp3s or watching video in a car. Though I may eventually use this computer for similar purposes, the primary function will not be entertainment. I do not intend to play games on it, watch movies, or even install a windows operating system.

I'll ask the same thing as fuctup. Why do you need a high-end P4 setup?

I have specialized hardware as I've mentioned previously which requires number crunching. Unfortunately the only modern motherboard still compatible is made by Super Micro and uses the Intel P4. I'm not going to go into much detail but I hope that explanation is adequate.

The whole basis of a computer's operation is number crunching. That's a complete bull**** statement. Are you going to be a mobile SETI@Home station, perhaps? I honestly can't envision what it is you're planning to do.

Here's my take. You're so adamant about using this particular board, but aren't willing to look at other options. Right now, your issue with what you want to use is power. You're limited to a 250w DC-DC power supply. What's the fastest CPU it will run? I have no clue, since most P4 setups recommend a PSU rated for more than your 250w.

So, tell us what you want to do with this high-powered P4 number-crunching non-Windoze specialized ISA card beast in your car, and then maybe we can suggest options. Until then, get off your geekier-than-thou high horse. It doesn't impress anyone.

**tuxamd** · 06-12-2005, 08:45 AM

I've already researched a lot about this project and made my decisions. Do you honestly think I would go through the trouble of obtaining the only ISA capable motherboard still being manufactured and digging up such rare items as the 250w dc-dc power supply if it could simply be replaced by a lower powered system and usb? Just about the only thing I haven't done is reverse engineer the hardware/software and port it myself to PCI. I already know every route possible for this application and believe me even if I bothered taking the time to go into the details you wouldn't tell me anything new.

I'm sorry you can't comprehend terms such as number crunching, since you seem to think that there's no difference between a 100% loaded system doing things with a purpose and that of idle junk boxes that play mp3s.

If you got any suggestions to the questions I asked I'd be glad to hear them. But please don't think I have no idea on what I'm trying to make and go on posting trying to convince me otherwise, that will only lead to long pointless discussions. I've stated my reasons.