Check out my first (possible) build

LogicalRandom · 05-17-2009, 10:54 PM

Hey guys, I am new to this hobby, but I would like make a CarPC and want your input.
So here is what I am planning on getting once I have the money.

Atom Little Falls 1 mobo/cpu
1GB DDR2 Ram
Either an M2-ATX or M3-ATX psu
CF to IDE adapter
8GB CF card
USB Bluetooth Dongle
BU-353 USB GPS Dongle
VMI70 7in IN-DASH Touchscreen Monitor (unbranded Thermaltake A2413)
Griffin Powermate Knob

SW will be XP SP3 with either Centrafuse or SD

Any pointers or optimizations you can think of?

LogicalRandom · 05-18-2009, 10:55 AM

Here is a diagram of how I plan to wire it all.

Ramb0_Command0 · 05-18-2009, 01:27 PM

Well it looks pretty good, but I do see a couple of issues though.

-If you are putting a fuse on the 12v+ line to the amp, you should put it right after the split , same with computer PSU line.

-I probably wouldn't have picked that monitor, you get what you pay for.

-I'm not sure why you are going with CF card, if its because of shock, you'll be fine with a standard HDD. Tons of people on here use them, some people use laptop 2.5" some use 3.5". If its because of speed, I don't really know how much of a difference it will make since I haven't used one before.

-I've seen some reviews about the powermate knob, having buggy drivers and not working real well, thats something you might want to look into more IMHO.

LogicalRandom · 05-18-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Ramb0_Command0

>If you are putting a fuse on the 12v+ line to the amp, you should put it right after the split , same with computer PSU line.

Your right, my bad.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ramb0_Command0

>I probably wouldn't have picked that monitor, you get what you pay for.

Supposedly it's just an unbranded Thermaltake, I'm iffy about it too. But the Thermaltake got good reviews. What would you recommend as an alternative that takes one DIN and folds inside (don't wanna get jacked). Also, I would like to keep the price down. :P

Quote: Originally Posted by Ramb0_Command0

>I'm not sure why you are going with CF card, if its because of shock, you'll be fine with a standard HDD. Tons of people on here use them, some people use laptop 2.5" some use 3.5". If its because of speed, I don't really know how much of a difference it will make since I haven't used one before.

Reason is, why not? CF cards are cheap and the OS plus front-end plus hibernation file won't come close to 8GB. Added speed and reliability is a bonus. All my media will be on a thumb drive or external HDD I will take with me when I go in.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ramb0_Command0

>I've seen some reviews about the powermate knob, having buggy drivers and not working real well, thats something you might want to look into more IMHO.

That's too bad, I was looking forward to that thing. Any alternatives worth looking into?

Ramb0_Command0 · 05-21-2009, 11:39 AM

As far as the monitor goes, to get a cheap/quality one, you are either gonna have to buy a normal one and custom fab it into your dash, or find a used din enclosure size one for sale.

I just commented on the flash drive because Compact Flash is significantly slower than a 7200RPM HDD especially when it comes to writing data. And if all of the media and everything else will be on a different drive there won't be must reason for everything not to be all on one drive, since with it removed the computer won't have much use

The griffin powermate isn't bad, its just that I have seen some people with issues. I'm not saying don't get it I'm saying to make sure you are aware of its issues. As far as an alternative I have no idea, search around the forum.

LogicalRandom · 05-21-2009, 06:26 PM

Ok.
Getting a monitor and custom fabbing it would be good thing to consider.
About the CF card, the reason I believe it would be best is as I live in Canada, the weather during winter can be pretty nasty; like -30*c. I don't think a hard-drive would like the continual temperature changes and the condensation it will bring.

DarquePervert · 05-21-2009, 06:44 PM

Actually, the temp changes don't bring about condensation. It's warm air meeting cold air causing humidity do condense.

However, you're right to consider a solid-state solution. In extreme cold, the flud around the bearings will gell up, causing the HDD platters not to spin.

Honestly, I'd consider a realio-trulio SSD. A small one for just the OS and applications would do well. You can always use a portable USB HDD that goes inside with you at night where it's warm. Plug it into a USB port and you've got all your media ready to go and you're booting from a SSD that will be faster as well as resistant to extreme temperatures.

LogicalRandom · 05-21-2009, 08:58 PM

I would get a real SSD, but price man...
I mean, a 8GB CF is only 27$.
The cheapest True SSD I can find is over 80$ and only~ 10MB/s faster then my CF card (It's also 32GB but size is irrelevant if I only have XPe and Centrafuse installed). Who knows, by the time I gather all the money needed for this build, the price in SSDs might actually go down to the point im willing to buy one.

Ramb0_Command0 · 05-22-2009, 01:18 PM

Yea for cold weather considerations it will definitely make sense to get a solid state storage device( CF, SSD,...). Although not all HDD use fluid bearings so not all HDD have the same temperature issues. But at that temp it won't matter if you comp is working anyway since there is no way the monitor would be working at -30C some quit working around 0C, unless you are just worried about it dying because of the cold temps...

LogicalRandom · 05-22-2009, 04:53 PM

Oh.
Out of curiosity, what will happen to the screen once it gets cold?
Will it get back to normal once it gets back to normal temperature?

Ramb0_Command0 · 05-25-2009, 02:07 PM

The monitor should be fine at those temps, it just won't turn on. Since its an Liquid Crystal Display the crystals will be to cold to change color at some point. So if its below the monitors operating temps, it won't turn on. You just have to wait for it to warm up a little bit.

DarquePervert · 05-25-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by LogicalRandom

I would get a real SSD, but price man...
I mean, a 8GB CF is only 27$.
The cheapest True SSD I can find is over 80$ and only~ 10MB/s faster then my CF card (It's also 32GB but size is irrelevant if I only have XPe and Centrafuse installed). Who knows, by the time I gather all the money needed for this build, the price in SSDs might actually go down to the point im willing to buy one.

XPe is designed for embedded systems, which your setup is not.
Besides, the licensing is cost-prohibitive for most.

CF is a kluugy method. IT can work, sure. Frankly, the ease of installation would make the extra cost of a SATA or IDE SSD worth it to me.

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