Thread: 05 Mazda RX8 Done whew :)

Originally Posted by Kimota

Hey XMatrix,



1. I didn’t disassemble my Apoen PC, I purchased all the components and assembled myself. Originally I did have components in a case in the trunk but had to relocate them to glove box without case due to heating issues.

This works out really well in an RX8 because the AC vent is directly above the glove box and keeps PC really cool. I highly recommend it for RX8 owners.



2. Sorry about that it does read a little odd. The PS3 mini wireless keyboard is a Playstation 3 wireless keyboard (picked it up at GameStop) that works with my CarPC and is completely independent of the touchpad. The touchpad is what I use as a mouse and flush mounted it to my console. Works great as I can use it with my frontend and saves me constantly touching my screen (picked it up on newegg.com)

1) From your picture in the glove box, I really cant understand how you can have so many other components that are outside, esp the heatsink that looks like it's from the motherboard. Maybe could you explain what the cluster of components that you have placed inside together with the Aopen?

2) Just wondering - when you meant flush mounted to the console, what do you mean by that? Is using the touch pad from your position you placed, awkward?

Nice clean install. I like the stealth factor too

Thanks, stealth was a big factor for me

very nicely done brah....i might just have to steal that touchpad idea from you for mine...

I think the touchpad was the only orginal idea I've ever had or hmm did I steal it!!

1) From your picture in the glove box, I really cant understand how you can have so many other components that are outside, esp the heatsink that looks like it's from the motherboard. Maybe could you explain what the cluster of components that you have placed inside together with the Aopen?

The picture below should help keep in mind you don't have to have your PC in a case. Note the RX8 has a AC vent the runs right along the top of the glove box that helps cool the PC.

2) Just wondering - when you meant flush mounted to the console, what do you mean by that? Is using the touch pad from your position you placed, awkward?

Okay technically the touchpad isn't really flush but what I did was cut out part of my center console as to recess the touchpad (making it look factory, I hope). The position of the touchpad is pretty much perfect in the RX8 your arm rest in that area when driving so using is a breeze.

Originally Posted by Kimota

The picture below should help keep in mind you don't have to have your PC in a case. Note the RX8 has a AC vent the runs right along the top of the glove box that helps cool the PC.

Wah thankx a whole lot for showing exactly what the components are! So can I safely assume that the components are taken out of the Aopen mini pc you bought (you mentioned in your specs that you are using the Aopen but you also said that you didnt remove the components inside the Aopen). Kinda of confusing actually. Also I placed my hands inside the (opened) glove compartment and turn on my air-con to full blast. But I couldnt really felt any air at all. Unless you are saying that the air comes from behind the glove compartment when it is in open position.

Originally Posted by Kimota

Okay technically the touchpad isn't really flush but what I did was cut out part of my center console as to recess the touchpad (making it look factory, I hope). The position of the touchpad is pretty much perfect in the RX8 your arm rest in that area when driving so using is a breeze.

You know bro, you are rite! I was talking to my gf about the touchpad and she's 100% agree it is a great spot!

Sorry for the confusion I did word it oddly when I said “I didn’t disassemble my Aopen PC". I never purchased an Aopen mini PC, what I did purchase was an Aopen i945Gtt Motherboard and assembled it with components I purchased separately hard drives, ram and processor.

I originally I did have all the components in a case I purchased separately in the trunk but had to relocate to the glove box because of heating issues. Concerning the AC in the Glove box, the AC doesn't vent air directly into the glove box so you won't feel any air blowing into the glove box. What does happen is the AC vent that feeds the passenger side is directly above the glove box, the air around the vent is cooled and falls into the glove box. Warm air from the PC rises and is also cooled by this vent (that’s my story and I'm sticking to it ).

Relocating the PC to the glove box made a HUGE difference for example my 2140 DC-DC regulator would power down the PC after about 20 minutes on a hot day due to over heating. Now that the PC is in the glove box it doesn’t even get close to over heating. Now keep in mind I live in South Florida during the summer on a day like today the temperature in my trunk with the sun hitting it can reach over 100 degrees. Try this on a hot day after the RX8 has been on a while with AC running place your hand in glove box you will notice it is fairly cool especially compared to that oven of a trunk or just reach up in the glovebox and feel how cool the AC vent is.

Hey if your gf agree's about the touchpad it gotta be good now you just have to convince her about the AC vent and the glove box

Ive been having the same problem with the p2140 shutting down, i suspected it was temperature related but wasn't 100% sure till i read your post

Originally Posted by Kimota

Sorry for the confusion I did word it oddly when I said “I didn’t disassemble my Aopen PC". I never purchased an Aopen mini PC, what I did purchase was an Aopen i945Gtt Motherboard and assembled it with components I purchased separately hard drives, ram and processor.

I originally I did have all the components in a case I purchased separately in the trunk but had to relocate to the glove box because of heating issues. Concerning the AC in the Glove box, the AC doesn't vent air directly into the glove box so you won't feel any air blowing into the glove box. What does happen is the AC vent that feeds the passenger side is directly above the glove box, the air around the vent is cooled and falls into the glove box. Warm air from the PC rises and is also cooled by this vent (that’s my story and I'm sticking to it ).

Relocating the PC to the glove box made a HUGE difference for example my 2140 DC-DC regulator would power down the PC after about 20 minutes on a hot day due to over heating. Now that the PC is in the glove box it doesn’t even get close to over heating. Now keep in mind I live in South Florida during the summer on a day like today the temperature in my trunk with the sun hitting it can reach over 100 degrees. Try this on a hot day after the RX8 has been on a while with AC running place your hand in glove box you will notice it is fairly cool especially compared to that oven of a trunk or just reach up in the glovebox and feel how cool the AC vent is.

Hey if your gf agree's about the touchpad it gotta be good now you just have to convince her about the AC vent and the glove box

Ohs okie, that cleared up my doubts! This is what I gonna use and where I intend to place my car pc. Dont mind if you give me your 2 cents worth?

1) 7" Transflective Screen
2) Acer Veriton™ 1000 (http://acer.com.sg/products/veriton1...eriton1000.asp)
3) Carnetix CNX-P2140

Where I intend to locate my (2)

1) Inbetween passenger and driver seats
2) Inbetween the back passenger seats

Where I intend to locate my (3)

1) Inbetween passenger and driver seats
2) Inbetween the back passenger seats
3) Glove box

2) Acer Veriton™ 1000 - I like the specs a bit pricey and you may want to consider something with a mobile processor. If I'm reading its dimensions correctly I don't believe it will fit in-between the seats of an RX8.

3) Carnetix CNX-P2140 Good choice, if you live in a hot climate like me definitely in the glove box or cabin.

Keep in mind the center console in-between the seats in the RX8 although fairly wide is shallow so it’s tough to fit things in there depending on their height.

Originally Posted by Kimota

2) Acer Veriton™ 1000 - I like the specs a bit pricey and you may want to consider something with a mobile processor. If I'm reading its dimensions correctly I don't believe it will fit in-between the seats of an RX8.

3) Carnetix CNX-P2140 Good choice, if you live in a hot climate like me definitely in the glove box or cabin.

Keep in mind the center console in-between the seats in the RX8 although fairly wide is shallow so it’s tough to fit things in there depending on their height.

You know I was also wondering whether to get the mobile processor. But let's suppose this way - most of my time, I am using the car pc would probably be around 3-4 hours a day. Would a mobile processor make a difference? To my knowledge, the mobile processor would just make consuming power more efficient. Important difference for a laptop battery but wouldnt make any difference for a car battery. Dont you think so?