Processor/Mobo Question

ctsoccer13 · 08-13-2006, 01:28 PM

I am very close to beginning my build, but I wanted a 2nd opinion on the processor and motherboard I am considering.

I have been trying to decide between a VIA micro board with a built in 800MHz-1 Ghz processor or a micro atx board capable of carrying an Athlon 64 3200+ processor on it.

Any pros/cons to either choice, opinions, or a completely different suggestion would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

pip · 08-13-2006, 01:43 PM

These are vastly different solutions.

The VIA option is cheap, is low pwer, uses little power and does not develop a lot of heat. It will run GPS and will play music and probably movies...but not a lot more. Front ends with a lot of flash animation will give it problems.

A microATX board and 64 bit processor on the other hand will ba able to handle anything you want to throw at it. But....

Make sure it has decent onboard video. Better than using a seperate card.

Make sure you use a mobile processor. This reduces heat & power requirements.

MAKE SURE YOU CAN POWER IT. Such a setup will require a hefty power supply. Even using onboard video & a mobile processor you'll need much more power than the VIA requires.

It will develop a lot more heat. You'll need a low mass heatsink...stops it moving too much.

Read the FAQs, this has been covered before.

Personally, I'd say go for the more powerful option. It allows you to do more, the video will be better, you can use flash in your fron end skins and will run thing faster.

Quote: Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

I am very close to beginning my build, but I wanted a 2nd opinion on the processor and motherboard I am considering.

I have been trying to decide between a VIA micro board with a built in 800MHz-1 Ghz processor or a micro atx board capable of carrying an Athlon 64 3200+ processor on it.

Any pros/cons to either choice, opinions, or a completely different suggestion would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

DeltaFX · 08-13-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

I am very close to beginning my build, but I wanted a 2nd opinion on the processor and motherboard I am considering.

I have been trying to decide between a VIA micro board with a built in 800MHz-1 Ghz processor or a micro atx board capable of carrying an Athlon 64 3200+ processor on it.

Any pros/cons to either choice, opinions, or a completely different suggestion would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

Ludicrous speed ?

ctsoccer13 · 08-13-2006, 05:04 PM

An Athlon 3200+ is only rated at 1.8-2GHz depending on the socket type. I don't deem it to be too ludicrous as I'm hoping for a quick startup and to be able to run all the things I'm wanting to.

TruckinMP3 · 08-13-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

An Athlon 3200+ is only rated at 1.8-2GHz depending on the socket type. I don't deem it to be too ludicrous as I'm hoping for a quick startup and to be able to run all the things I'm wanting to.

Sure, it only compares roughly to a P4 3+ ghz processor....ludicrous in a car environment.

You asked for opinions. Do not argue when you get them... even if you do not like what you read.

ctsoccer13 · 08-13-2006, 05:28 PM

No, don't get me wrong--I'm looking for feedback. I know I don't know everything I'm about to get myself into, so I want to know if the processor is too much.

I didn't mean to come across as defensive, I was just expressing what I thought and waiting to see if someone would tell me I'm on the right or wrong track.

What type of processor would you suggest? I'm hoping to be able to run a combination of GPS, phone control, and music at the same time while looking for fast startup speeds as well.

DarquePervert · 08-13-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

What type of processor would you suggest? I'm hoping to be able to run a combination of GPS, phone control, and music at the same time while looking for fast startup speeds as well.

Low power is the rule for in-car installs, plain and simple.

TruckinMP3 · 08-13-2006, 07:50 PM

Pentium 2 era 400 to 500 mhz would be plenty of processor... or lower,
That means it is easier to power and cool.

Timecloud · 08-16-2006, 10:14 PM

You really have to decide what you want the computer to do. MP3's, Video, GPS, mobile office setup, etc.. A small processor can handle this as multi-tasking will be limited. The smaller the processor the less heat generated as well. Heat and confined spaces I would say don't go well together. Also you stated an Athlon 64 3200+, not XP there's a difference there. I would look for an early AMD Duron, Thunderbird or low Athlon CPU. I got a 2500+ cause it was $40. I was going to use a Duron 800.

sciontC · 08-16-2006, 11:07 PM

i have an amd 3200 on a micro atx board using the DSATX power supply and 2 60mm fans and have had no issues with it in my case in my car in 100* days. and jeez does it fly! i would reccomend this route for expandability. if you want to use streetdeck ( TWO THUMBS UP) in the future then youll be glad you went the amd route. plus i wouldnt say its cheaper but eiterh way you go, its about the same price in the end.

Rafster · 08-17-2006, 01:25 AM

I have a PIII 700MHz with 256MB Ram and with Tiny XP, I'm ready from cold boot and in my frontend in +/- 40 seconds... From hibernate more like 10 seconds...

OPnly thing that I wish was that I could get more RAM into it... Unfortunately it's a Dell Latitude L400 with a max of 256MB...

You don't need a high power/speed processor in a car. I can do Music/GPS/and most videos just fine!

Peace,

Rafster

Nomader · 08-18-2006, 04:59 AM

i am running a sempron 2800 on a micro atx. and 512 ram. on board video and audio. powered by the DSATX. I have no power isues.. no heat issues (4 fans in my case.. 1 for cpu 1 for case sucking air out. 1 small for hard disk, 1 small for dsatx.)even though the temp is 38 degrees celsius this month. and the thing is in my TRUNK.
I would also recommend this route as the PC rule is (even in cars) install as higher specs as you can afford, you will need it soon..in cars however i would add "install as much as you can afford, and can afford POWERING"

~Rob · 08-18-2006, 05:42 AM

Can I suggest maybe going back to a Socket A rather than AMD 64? It's cheaper (second hand only I believe now, they're rare) and if you can go for the Xp-Mobile. I've got a 2400XP-M in mine at the moment. Still plenty of grunt and doesn't use too much power

DeltaFX · 08-18-2006, 05:01 PM

Did I say Ludicrous out Loud ? oops

'nyway, remember that a via 1Ghz chip scores like a P3 700 Mhz (and that the so-called Mpeg 4 hardware support of C7-Cn400 via combo is more vapor than real stuff, cause there's NO windows / linux drivers available)

So between such a via proc and the AMD 3200+, you have choice. Really.

jschrauwen · 08-18-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ctsoccer13

I am very close to beginning my build, but I wanted a 2nd opinion on the processor and motherboard I am considering.

I was more or less in the same situation your in now, a few weeks ago. I spent a fair amount of time trying to gleen the information I needed to come to the same decision you're attempting. Although the VIA boards/processors seem to be best suited for most of my needs, It appeared to me to be 2.5+ year old technology and I thought of something perhaps a little newer / with a little more grunt. The shop doing the build foe me suggested the Commell line. We/I decided that the Commell LV675D would best suit my needs when it came to multi tasking - GPS, WIFI, DVD/CD-RW, AM/FM Tuner, USB's, Serial port for Megasquirt and it had a key feature I was looking for - a Tos-Link out for better sound options.
http://www.commell.com.tw/Product/SBC/LV-675.HTM
This also meant a good choice available for processor selection to but also meant more power requirements and a higher base cost value also. I've found it's all hand in hand. I'm not a good one at all to comment on the previous options you've given but only thought it might be worth a look at other options available to you. Hope this helps, cheers,

John