Tell me to "search" if you want, I am a newbie. But, I think my ideas has merit. Is there a recommended parts list anywhere?
I'm looking for a basic rundown on the most common components people use in their systems. I don't mean: LCD, Mini-ITX board, etc. I mean specific models: Xenarc model #xxxx LCD, EPIA MSxxxx Mobo/CPU, Soundblaster xxxx for audio, etc.
I know everyone is different, but there is a set of parts that many people use.
www.avsforum.com has a Home Theater PC forum, they used to have a sticky thread that listed the "state of the art" of gear that was most commonly used or good for a newbie to think about. There was some opinion thrown in (an older Radeon 78xx was the "best" for some time because it did the job, was super cheap, and didn't generate lots of heat). For the most part it was a great intro into the field. I'm not talking about a "carPC for dummies" thread. I'm talking about, I'm a computer geek, I know about mobo's and RAM and drives, I know roughly the types of things needed to make a CarPC, what exact models do many of the forum users keep coming back to? As an example, I'd bet that Xenarc and Liliput LCDs are the most common. List those and how they differ (does a stripped Liliput fit into almost everyone's Double-DIN dash hole?) along with the 3rd and 4th most popular LCD screens. Provide enough information (plus some links to manufacture sites or other threads) for a newbie to go reasearch themselves.
A completely made up sample list might look like
Motherboard/CPU:
Intro paragraph on "how much CPU horsepower do you really need?".
- EPIA M10000
short description/warnings about this board. Maybe a paragraph.
- EPIA MSxxxx
another short description.
Screens:
Talk about 7 vs 8. Fitting in Double-DIN or not, etc.
- Xenarc 7".
Description of this how it differs from liliput.
- Liliput 7"
Power:
- Some Inverter
- Some DC-DC supply
- Some regulator used with an board that has onboard DC-DC.
RAM: Talk about different types that different boards use with price/advantages etc.
Hard Drives:
Talk about various IDE or laptop drives, various IDE/Laptop converters, maybe even USB/Fireware or CF->IDE converters. Some mention of mounting.
Optical drives:
Several Slimline models here. What works best?
Soundcards:
On board is good for some, but some people like PCI or PCMCIA cards. list why someone might prefer some cards to to others and what people usually buy.
Software:
What are the common pieces? list free/share/commercial status.
You get the idea. This would be perfect on a Wiki. Once I learn more, I'd help maintain it.