Electronic interference and computers

RedGTiVR6 · 03-30-2006, 12:24 PM

So, I've been talking with one of the guys at work who is interested in getting into carPCs. One of his big concerns is the interference issues with the PC.

he keeps thinking that he HAS to have a case for his PC otherwise he'll run into interference and the PC will have problems.

I keep telling him I haven't had any issues and I'm not running a case, and that I don't recal anyone having any of these issues.

It got me to thinking and I just wanted to post up and see...

has anyone run into any issues along these lines?

I don't think it's as big of a deal as he's thinking it to be, but I wanted to get some input from other people who were more knowledgeable about this topic than I am.

Wamphyri · 03-30-2006, 12:57 PM

No case, no problems.

Have my motherboard mounted on the side of my sub box. No issues so far knock on wood. Don't even have any whine.

RedGTiVR6 · 03-30-2006, 01:06 PM

how long have you had it like this Wamphyri?

peecee · 03-30-2006, 01:22 PM

I have a case for mine, but ironically enough only to have someplace to mount the cooling fans and prevent any dirt from falling into any of the moving parts. If my board was mounted on its side, I don't think I would have bothered with a case.

GreenBeast · 03-30-2006, 01:49 PM

no case and seemingly no problems after 7 months

OoNikFraleyoO · 03-30-2006, 02:09 PM

The only interferance problem I've had is with my gyration mouse and keyboard. They work fine in the house but refuse to work in the car. Other than that no problems and my motherboard is less than a foot from my 12w7 and 1000 watt amp.

TruckinMP3 · 03-30-2006, 06:46 PM

Multiple years in use, no trouble with interfearance or ground loops.
The case has changed over time but in no way would have changed the EMI of the PC. One case was made of foamcore (see the project link) No sheilding in that case. Currently runing caseless.

Caelric · 03-31-2006, 11:05 PM

I have a case made of plexiglass, and my radio reception goes to ***** when I turn on the CarPC. Additionally, my alarm won't trigger from my keyfob until the CarPC is fully shut off. So, yes, radio interference can be a problem.

Dave

Eubey · 03-31-2006, 11:39 PM

your friend is probibly referring to older model pcs, which reportedly would mess with radios and what not if they did not have the case around them... But we have moved into a new age, so not having a case doesnt really do any harm other than allowing physical damage from anything imaginable

Wamphyri · 03-31-2006, 11:51 PM

Have had mine installed for a couple of months. No problems with the carpc side but you can blast some home cordless phones if you aren't carefull. The RFI gets worse as CPU cycles goes up. Most of the problem is with phones that are in the 2.4 - 2.6 Ghz range... sounds just like my CPU at 2.66Ghz right?

Caelric · 03-31-2006, 11:55 PM

Part of my problem might be my high powered wireless (400 mW) card, or my PC at 2.26 GHZ

Dave

Bugbyte · 04-01-2006, 12:52 AM

No case, no GPS reception when the antenna is nearby. No problem with groundloops but definitely an issue with GPS antenna.

Wamphyri · 04-01-2006, 08:36 AM

My GPS (BU303) and XM Terk antenna are on the front dash. The motherboard is mounted in the back on the side of the sub box. No reception problems with either one.

Bugbyte · 04-01-2006, 12:13 PM

That was my solution, too. Separate ends of the car. Also experienced interference with the GPS antenna when it was too close to the Xenarc screen (unshielded and out of the case and bezel)

roadhog · 04-01-2006, 04:33 PM

I haven't had any real problems except some HDD whine on boot up.
There is an option in most modern BIOSs (Award definately) called "Spread Spectrum" which is designed to do just that with RFI emission.

Just for the record my case is 1.5mm aluminium and the PC (2.4 Sempron) is in the back of the car with the amp.