Final Critique - Ordering this week!

TravisT · 08-09-2007, 07:52 PM

Now that the procrastination period is over, I am ready to order the parts needed to attach to the touchscreen that has been mounted in my GMC Sierra for about 4 months now. I could really use some advice as to what I should buy.

I was looking at the voompc stuff. Not sure if this is the best option or not. I have no problems building the computer myself, so that option is open. What I am looking for is as follows:

1. Compact Size (mounted under rear seat)
2. power supply strong enough for
2 HDD's
1 CD/DVD ROM drive, and monitor, as well as a decent sound card
1 Touchscreen (possibly two headrest monitors*)
1 Sound Card
3. Auto power off after specified time
4. SATA HDD(s)
5. Sound Card (ok with using onboard)
6. Capability to add dual video outputs (GPS up front/DVD on rear screens)
7. 802.11 b/g

* I can relay the monitors if this is unreasonable

I will be running a head unit at this time, but have considered going "headless". I also currently have XM using the IPbus on my pioneer HU. I will keep this for now, and add the box for AUX from the 'puter. I already have a holux usb GPS receiver and MapPoint for GPS software. Undecided on frontend right now. Leaning towards SD, but want to try a couple before spending the $ on SD. And as mentioned before, I also have a lilliput installed already.

I am trying to keep the hardware in the $4-500 range if possible. Obviously I don't need multiple HDD's right off the bat, but I also don't want to change P/S's in order to add them later.

If anyone can offer any advice or lessons learned for certain equipment I would greatly appreciate it. I plan to scrub the forums one last time this weekend and hopefully place the order early next week. I will keep the thread updated as I finalize my decision on each hardware item.

Thanks for all your help guys!

TravisT

TravisT · 08-09-2007, 08:28 PM

FYI, just used the power simulator at mini-box, according to that, I should be pulling about 60W running 2x 2.5" drives, 1x flash drive, 1x slim CD rom, 6x USB, 3x LCD, and 1x 40mm fan using the MII12000 mobo. If this sounds right to you guys, I think I should be OK with the M1-ATX P/S, right?

TravisT · 08-10-2007, 04:29 PM

The following are items that are on the current list. I have not ruled anything out or in, so everything is flexible at this point.

Case:
VoomPC (ampie) Blue Case
VoomPC-2 Silver Case

Motherboard:
Jetway???

Power Supply:
M1-ATX
M2-ATX (leaning towards this one)

HDD:
WD Scorpio 160GB 5400RPM SATA
Seagate 120 GB 5400RPM SATA

I also want to pick up a slim CD/DVD rom drive to install in the case for now (maybe custom in-dash later). Should I go for a USB WiFi card or should I look into a PCMCIA card?

TravisT · 08-11-2007, 09:08 AM

I'm having problems finding other's opinions on motherboards in the forums. I have read the mini-ITX sticky, but there are no reviews of each board. I also checked the review forums and didn't see much info at all on motherboards. Really stumped on this one and could use some help. Am I missing something?

My main concern is having room for everything in the case. Of course I am also concerned about the performance of the board as well, but from what I have read, a super fast processor is really not required for my application. I have also been leaning towards SATA capability, if for nothing else, the cables take up less room in the case.

BiG K · 08-12-2007, 02:48 PM

I would go for the M2-ATX, it has more POWER!!!

Seriously dude, it makes sense, if you ever want to add bigger hard drives, you always have the option to!

rijndael · 08-12-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

if you ever want to add bigger hard drives, you always have the option to!

large capacity HDD's dont use more power than ones with less capacity....

a 3.5 uses more than a 2.5 though...if thats what you meant.

TravisT · 08-12-2007, 08:34 PM

I appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out. I am going to go with the M2 P/S. It really is a no-brainer when comparing the cost of the two.

I am trying to decide on mobo's right now, and I think I am going to go with a Jetway. I really don't know what processor speed I should go with (or if I should go with a Jetway at all). I like that they have SATA ports and I know that they will fit in the VoomPC2 case. I think that is why I'm stuck on these, but if anyone can suggest another board that fits with no problems, please let me know.

I was also wondering about RAM. I found a great price for Crucial 1x1GB PC2-5300 RAM ($34.99). I know typically RAM is backwards compatible, but wanted to verify before buying everything.

TravisT · 08-13-2007, 07:12 PM

I did it. Here's what I ordered so far:

VoomPC2 Case
M2-ATX P/S
Jetway J7F21G5D Mobo
Panasonic CW-8124 Slot Load CD/DVD drive
120GB SATA 2.5" HDD
1GB PC2-5300 Crucial RAM
Belkin USB Hub

If I'm missing something let me know! I'm hoping to start the install this weekend!

blackandblue · 10-16-2007, 01:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by TravisT

I did it. Here's what I ordered so far:

VoomPC2 Case
M2-ATX P/S
Jetway J7F21G5D Mobo
Panasonic CW-8124 Slot Load CD/DVD drive
120GB SATA 2.5" HDD
1GB PC2-5300 Crucial RAM
Belkin USB Hub

If I'm missing something let me know! I'm hoping to start the install this weekend!

Let me know how that RAM works out. I have been eyeing that since its about $20 shipped. I have the same board/power/case as you (well, J7F21G5, not the D). I only have 512MB right now, which seems to be fine, but wouldn't mind a gig for that price.

TravisT · 10-16-2007, 06:46 AM

That particular ram is the wrong ram for that Mobo. I didn't realize it until after it came in and I had trouble with it. Don't remember the specifics, but if you search for other posts by me you will see the problem with it.

blackandblue · 10-16-2007, 08:44 AM

Cool thanks. I think I remember seeing that its the wrong speed and the board doesn't like it. I just wanted to be sure.

garto · 10-20-2007, 05:27 PM

Maybe a compact flash array for a hard drive vs a hard drive depending upon where you live. Won't really increase speeds or anything but it is solid state and works in cold and hot temperatures. I live in the NE and have had to resort to using a CF drive. I bought a PCI adapter and 2 16 gb drives for a total cost of $260 for it. Just a thought. Obviously a laptop drive is better than a desktop drive but usually not as fast. Go hard drive if you can, i've never had a problem with vibration, just extreme cold (below freezing since computer was in the trunk).