Advice on this motherboard/case combo

LYHTSPD · 07-27-2006, 05:45 PM

I am starting to think about my first carPC. I would like to do the following with it:
-MP3
-DVD/Video
-GPS/Nav
-OBDII

I found this at my local computer store for $100. It is an open box, but has everything with it. This thing is tiny! 10"x3"x6" (rounded off). I am thinking about picking this up for my first carPC project. Here are a few of the more pertinant specs:

-Intel 865GV / ICH 5, supporting 800MHz FSB
-Fully functional Pentium 4 system up to 3.2Ghz
-Fully support Intel Hyper Threading Technology
-Support standard 3.5" hard disk
-On-board 10/100 LAN, 1394, USB 2.0
-Low noise and low power consumption
-4 serial ports (i don't know why it has that many)
-3 usb ports (but I think the mb has headers for more)
-CD-ROM Support all Standard Slim CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW Combo
-HDD Support all 3.5" standard IDE hard drive, ATA-100/66/33

Do you guys think this would make a decent carPC or would I just be setting myself up for trouble later?

-Brandon

DarquePervert · 07-27-2006, 07:21 PM

Have you considered at all how you are going to power it?
It's a very important consideration for a vehicle installation.

LYHTSPD · 07-27-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Have you considered at all how you are going to power it?
It's a very important consideration for a vehicle installation.

I thought about that. Since it comes with its own AC-DC power supply (19vdc), I am thinking about doing a small DC-AC inverter, or maybe see if I can get it to run (stable) off of a 12 volt signal.

OmegaAvenger · 07-27-2006, 07:51 PM

If its anything like the pc i had (Sound like) that i took back, make sure your video output isn't fuzzy, its much more noticeable on an LCD that a CRT as well.
Course mine was also $300. **** for $100 i would of ignored it

Quote: Originally Posted by LYHTSPD

I thought about that. Since it comes with its own AC-DC power supply (19vdc), I am thinking about doing a small DC-AC inverter, or maybe see if I can get it to run (stable) off of a 12 volt signal.

LYHTSPD · 07-27-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by OmegaAvenger

If its anything like the pc i had (Sound like) that i took back, make sure your video output isn't fuzzy, its much more noticeable on an LCD that a CRT as well.
Course mine was also $300. **** for $100 i would of ignored it

I guess this case is normally around $350. I guess I will have to make sure I can bring it back if I do find out the video is crappy.

DarquePervert · 07-27-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by LYHTSPD

I thought about that. Since it comes with its own AC-DC power supply (19vdc), I am thinking about doing a small DC-AC inverter, or maybe see if I can get it to run (stable) off of a 12 volt signal.

Doubtful that you could get it to run stably off 12v.
However there's the Carnetix P1900 PSU that would likely power it quite well, as long as you don't go ape**** with the CPU.

LYHTSPD · 07-27-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Doubtful that you could get it to run stably off 12v.
However there's the Carnetix P1900 PSU that would likely power it quite well, as long as you don't go ape**** with the CPU.

Oh, I must have overlooked that one in the e-store. Thanks for pointing that out to me!