Will this PC work for a car?

tlr_justin · 03-22-2007, 05:37 PM

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this hobby and I been reading around a bit. Wanted to ask if this pc will work for a car. I notice that building one would cost alot. I was at compusa tha other day and i saw a acer aspire minitower which look small enought to fit under a car seat. Is there alot of moding that require if i was to purchase a pc like this that has already been built. Thanks for any input.

Newegg.com - Acer Aspire ASL310-UD631A Core 2 Duo E6300(1.86GHz) 1GB DDR2 320GB Intel GMA 3000 Windows Vista Home Premium - Retail

pasan · 03-25-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tlr_justin

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this hobby and I been reading around a bit. Wanted to ask if this pc will work for a car. I notice that building one would cost alot. I was at compusa tha other day and i saw a acer aspire minitower which look small enought to fit under a car seat. Is there alot of moding that require if i was to purchase a pc like this that has already been built. Thanks for any input.

Newegg.com - Acer Aspire ASL310-UD631A Core 2 Duo E6300(1.86GHz) 1GB DDR2 320GB Intel GMA 3000 Windows Vista Home Premium - Retail

Hmmm I think building a PC for car is more fun.

_dopehead_ · 03-25-2007, 10:07 AM

Looks like it has a DC input of some sort, does it say on the case what input it accepts like 12V or 19Vdc or something ?

DarquePervert · 03-25-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tlr_justin

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this hobby and I been reading around a bit. Wanted to ask if this pc will work for a car.

Understand that any PC can work in a car. Some PCs have issues that are difficult to overcome.

As someone mentioned, it has a DC input, which would likely be served by a Carnetic PSU like the P1900. It all depends on the output voltage of the power brick:

Remember that heat and power consumption are two factors you have to consider.

Methodic Virus · 03-25-2007, 11:34 AM

Hey tlr_justin, Welcome to MP3Car! Don't focus on the power hungry pc for your Carputer unless you're thinking about making it a hardcore gaming rig in your car... and if you're not worrying about a budget, because Core2Duo can set you back a few. Try a standard P4 Motherboard with a P4 1.8ghz processor. I have a MSI Socket 478 Motherboard with a 1.8ghz Processor and a Gig of ram, and it works wonders. I'm going to move this into my car soon. So don't focus on PERFORMANCE. You can find something that will run solid in your car but you dont need anything power hungry. Hope that helps and once again WELCOME to our world :-) *You'll understand once you're here for a while*

treetop777 · 03-25-2007, 12:41 PM

Read about some difficulties with Vista so do some research..

tlr_justin · 03-26-2007, 11:40 AM

ty guys,
It was an example. I did read before that member suggest not have the most powerful pc in car. and i did saw a acer with the P4. just didnt know if going this way would work or do i have to built one. i built all of my home pc but never a carpc so i don't know if there were a huge difference, i figure it would be safe to ask before i act.

I'm never afraid to admit that I'm stupid, it just a way for me to learn

thank you very much for all the helpfull advice.
I forgot to say that i got a 400watt inverter for advance autopart, which will be my powersource. would tat be ok for the regular power connection of this type of pc?

Cheekz185 · 03-26-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tlr_justin

I forgot to say that i got a 400watt inverter for advance autopart, which will be my powersource. would tat be ok for the regular power connection of this type of pc?

It all depends on how you want the fucntionality of the carpc to be. Inverters cant be tapped into the ignition to automatically start and shut down the computer. You can buy a startup/shutdown controller or better yet get a Carnatrix PSU to power it....

MP3DUB · 03-28-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cheekz185

It all depends on how you want the fucntionality of the carpc to be. Inverters cant be tapped into the ignition to automatically start and shut down the computer. You can buy a startup/shutdown controller or better yet get a Carnatrix PSU to power it....

You can build some simple circuits to turn on an inverter/pc automatically. I don't use an inverter to power my pc any longer (onboard dc-dc instead) but I still use the inverter, and have a circuit to turn both on with the stereo.

Edit: That said, if I were starting fresh (and didn't have 6 years of baggage) I'd go straight dc-dc for everything. Makes for a much more efficient and much cleaner install.

jddelrosso · 04-18-2007, 08:08 PM

I actually have an older model of this same computer, comes with a amd 64 3500+ and 512 ram but the same pretty much otherwise. i plan on using this for my carputer as well, the only real problem im having is that it gets real warm. not a problem running under regular circumstances but i figure in a car in the summer i will have issues. more then likely i will build a new case with only a slightly larger footprint in order to accomondate a fan or 2. If you live close to a circuit city they may have these open boxed which is how i bought mine with a warentee. mine cost me 350$ practically brand new before the warentee. Vista may be problematic with gps drivers and some of the programs, more then likely all the front ends actually.

maniaxzero · 04-19-2007, 03:25 PM

according to newegg, the dimensions are 2.4" x 9.8" x 7.9" which is perfect for me. They even fitted a dvd drive and a 3.5" HDD in there. Is there any way for us to buy just the case w/o the computer components?

mchipser · 05-09-2007, 09:10 PM

you can call acer they are located in Temple Tx. if the item is orderable / saleable. they can sale it to you.. If you want to order it i can get you guys the part numbers for it..

EL CAMINO · 05-09-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mchipser

you can call acer they are located in Temple Tx. if the item is orderable / saleable. they can sale it to you.. If you want to order it i can get you guys the part numbers for it..

interesting, can you do that? post it here please!!!