'08 Dodge Dakota, Console Fab, Install Pix - Page 5

tbird2340 · 10-06-2009, 03:48 PM

I got a Zotac IONITX board and so far I like it a lot.. I go from cold boot to Centrafuse up and running in 33 seconds (also have a SSD)..

I haven't installed it in the car yet but so far using it outside during setup I am happy with it.. Also has dual video which was a requirement for me (not that the DVI is digital only though and a DVI-VGA adapter will not work).

HiJackZX1 · 10-06-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by blk02si

Looking at some possible new motherboards to install, the intel works great, but there is an incompatibility the exists between my atom board and the X-Fi sound card causing a 15-20 secong hang before the bios splash and regular boot. It's not that big of a deal but it will give me a reason to buy some new ITX technology. I am looking at the atom Zotac and Asus ITX boards.

My other option would be to use a DTDP relay so that my console switch would shut off the amp and disconnect the +5v line on the usb connection of the X-Fi sound card. Since I don't turn on my factory amp until I am booted up, I figure this would work good. Not sure if it would confuse windows XP though. . .

HAHAHAHAHHAHA, so we are both shopping for new motherboards. I will most likely go with the MSI board ive been talking about. My only concern is about the X-Fi... I too use that same card. Are you using the PCI version or USB? I dont want to jump to INTEL only to have a 20 second hang up. Is this only for the INTEL ATOM based boards? The MSI uses a dual core T9400 at 2.53ghz.

I did look at Zotac, but I did not see one that has more then one serial port. The MSI board has 5!!!!!!!!!!!! So one would be a spare for me.

PS: for Tbird... When I did research on my future board I noticed that every last board that has a DVI port is usually DVI-D. Couldnt find one that wasnt Digital. They are gearing all these boards to HDTVs. They are not taking us carpc people into account.

blk02si · 10-06-2009, 04:18 PM

I am using the USB version. I don't think it the intel ATOM processor based boards, I believe it is just the intel D945GCLF motherboard I am using, as I have seen this is consistent with other users of this board. That's why I want to try the zotac of asus brands, both of which I have success using.

sporty_drew · 10-06-2009, 09:47 PM

I like how you interfaced it with your stock stereo. Looks really nice

blk02si · 10-08-2009, 11:07 PM

and i think i just found my new board:

ASUS AT3N7A-I Intel Atom 330

I'd like to try it without the X-fi also since it has built in 7.1 surround and compare the difference.

I've had 100% success with ASUS boards thus far so I'm willing to give it a shot.

Will likely run windows 7 on this and the 32 Gb sata SSD.

blk02si · 10-19-2009, 01:03 PM

After more research I am definitely ordering this board, it has built in bluetooth!

blk02si · 10-21-2009, 12:31 AM

board is ordered, should be here by the end of the week! Also ordered a bunch of other PC parts. . .

blk02si · 10-25-2009, 11:43 PM

Ok well I got the new board in and so far I am impressed with it on the test bench. I did find a conflict with my setup, and that is this board lacks a COM port, so I would need to add a pci card with some COM ports or use a USB > RS232 adaptor to get my HD radio to work. Also I'm thinking I would need to upgrade my power supply from the current M2 to an M4 due to the extra power requirements and 24pin ATX. No big deal, I have an M4 laying around, but size restrictions may prohibit the M4 and PCI card use in my console. I'll know more when I pull out the console and take some measurements.

For now the new Asus ITX is going to be placed into HTPC duty, to see just how well it performs. I installed a bluray optical drive and large 3.5" drive I had into a small 2U server chassis for some testing. It's going to take a bit more planning to get this board into the truck environment than I thought, but I'm not ruling it out just yet. . .

blk02si · 11-12-2009, 10:04 PM

Ok, well I decided to stick with the intel board for right now, it has been running good so I am going to leave it alone for now.

I did enable minlogon and EWF on the Transcend SSD, which cut down boot and shutdown times considerably. A clean shutdown is now 1-2 seconds

The western digital 500gb USB drive also seems to be holding up good, but the lower temps are now beginning here in MI. Each night is flirting closer to freezing which is the ultimate test of hardware ruggedness.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password