PSU for P3-500 Micro ATX ?

**dieselnutjob** · 02-13-2006, 05:49 PM

I have a slightly unusual requirement for a PSU for an in car PC.
Rather than being for audio / visual, this project is for a car diagnostics project.
For this reason I need an ISA slot (because one of my diagnostic cards is only available as an ISA).
I don't need shutdown controllers or anything because the PC won't stay in the car, it will be in a metal box with handles to be chucked in the ca when needed.
For the screen I will use my kids DVD screen and an old ATI card that has TV out.
The p3-500 takes about 30W I think, and I would like to use junk 10G 3.5" HDs that I have lying around.
The motherboard is a gigabyte micro ATX that I got on ebay

The cost of a PSU for this could cost more that all the other parts combined.
I just don't need something so complex what most of you guys are probably using.

Any suggestions ?

By the way I can make something myself, but life is just to busy for me to etch my own PCBs. A kit with a working design and a PCB would be cool.

**DarquePervert** · 02-13-2006, 06:31 PM

FAQ: Will <insert PSU model> Power Supply work with my system?

**dieselnutjob** · 02-14-2006, 05:29 AM

i don't see any solution on that page for less that $200 :-(

**DarquePervert** · 02-14-2006, 08:34 AM

Funny.
By following the same directions in that FAQ writeup, I see the max power draw for your PentiumIII 500mhz as 28w. (If you have the PGA version it's a lot less).
The M2ATX will provide more than enough power for what you want and is only $90 in the mp3car.com store.
The Opus 120w also provides enough power for your setup and is about $5 more.

I don't know what calculations you're using or dollar amounts you're seeing, but there's lots of options in your price range.

**dieselnutjob** · 02-14-2006, 08:49 AM

I stand corrected. Yes the M2 looks quite suitable.

My motherboard manual mentions a -5V pin on the power connector, I assume that this isn't actually necessary ?