Very New To Scene! Have Some Questions.

RealRitzcracker · 05-22-2008, 09:43 PM

Hello mp3car.com!

As you can tell by my post count I'm very new to this site.
Actually very new to the scene period. I actually just got my license a week ago and just got my car 4 days ago.
I just had some quick questions.

I'm going to try and hopefully create a in-car pc in my 1999 BMW 540.

Is it better to have a in-car dash pc or just use a laptop and a stand?

I want to use my pc to be able to
Video
Photo
Music
GPS Navigation
Car Diagnostic
TV
Internet
Radar Detector
iPhone Cell Phone
Rear Camera
Other Electronic Devices

Will my in-car pc be able to do all of that?

Also what type of software should I use?

I think I'm going to run XP cause its faster than vista.
Then should I use

SteetDock, Road Runner, MediaCar, or Centrafuse???

Has anyone else done this?
Anyone have any BMW specific guides?
Also where can I get my touch screen installed or a custom E39 bezel for it?

Thanks Again
RealRitzcracker

DodgeCummins · 05-23-2008, 08:55 PM

You have come to the right place.

I know there are a lot of posts here...but why don't you go ahead an start reading, you will find a lot of info on everything you listed.

Then once you have a good background, you can really ask some specific questions.

But the one overall answers to your questions are, yes, no, maybe, and it depends.

RealRitzcracker · 05-23-2008, 08:59 PM

Ya I've been searching a lot.

I've seen a ton of car pc guides which are greats.

But I only found two BMW specific ones and both of them were before and after with no real complete guide specific to BMW.

redcell3 · 05-24-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

start reading, you will find a lot of info on everything you listed

the best way is to do it is start researching ALOT. and as you are researching if something doesn't make sense ask a question relating to that topic. As far as finding specific guides there are alot of guides to different aspects of choosing the right components, installation, fabrication etc... If you don't find an exact guide for your vehicle, Write one that way if someone else has that same vehicle you can help someone out down the road. be prepared to make mistakes the first time(make sure they aren't big ones though

) i'm sure everyone can attest to that. That's where the researching comes in handy, the more you plan the less mistakes you make. Good Luck

galvitron · 05-24-2008, 05:40 AM

Listen to the number one piece of advice given around here, which is:

Research until you know the answers before you purchase anything.

Once you are ready, if you still have questions, present a well thought out plan with the parts you want to use and you will get detailed feedback.

BTW, you don't really want a laptop sitting in your face while driving, right? Doesn't a screen IN the dash sound cooler? And you WILL need a touchscreen. You can't drive while using the laptop without one...plus a laptop is the wrong way to go with your ambitious goals you listed.

The computer will do what you make it do by selecting the right components. It can do what you need if you put in enough time and effort.

RealRitzcracker · 05-24-2008, 10:42 AM

Yeah, I'm going with a in-dash touchscreen.

RealRitzcracker · 05-25-2008, 05:20 PM

I was thinking of going with the Infill G4 but I think its a rip off for 2,200 for only a 40GB and 512mb of memory!

So I'm going to just use a normal Mid-Tower and place it in my drunk and have it conected through the main cab through the trunk opening.

Does anyone know of a computer case that keeps really cool and has a lot of fans?

eric_barcus · 05-25-2008, 05:36 PM

u dont need alot of fans or a mid tower case go check out mini-itx.com thats a better form factor = more trunk space

RealRitzcracker · 05-25-2008, 10:19 PM

I was looking at mini-itx its very small which is a plus.
But not very common so the prices are expensive.

The same specs
mini-itx = 750.00
mid or full = 400.00

Thats a big difference.

Anyways I have plenty of trunk space and I just measured it and a mid-tower fits perfectly. I'm pretty scared about the heating issue cause the components are larger and do take more power which makes it hotter.
Also the car is black and in the summer it can get between 80-100 degrees everyday.

So I'm looking to get a case that has at least 4 fans.

Bugbyte · 05-25-2008, 10:28 PM

The fans won't help keep the computer any cooler if they are circulating hot air. Unless the case is holding a lot of heat in, it doesn't make any difference.

Besides, take a look at the Intel D201GLY. It is inexpensive and if you build your own, you can put the computer together for less than 750.

RealRitzcracker · 05-25-2008, 10:55 PM

I was just thinking about that.
Hot Air Outside = Hot Air Inside.

Though if its connected to the a/c main cab there is some major cool air.

Intel D201GLY = ya 70 bucks is pretty good deal but only 1gb of memory allowed.
Also whats the max HDD space for one of those pc's like 60GB.

I was thinking of a 250GB so I can put all of my music and some videos on the pc.

Bugbyte · 05-25-2008, 11:52 PM

What do you need more than 1gb of memory for? It is a car PC, which is a very different beast from a desktop. It ought to do everything you listed in your original post.

You can put however big a hard drive you want on it, so that isn't an issue.

Just to be clear, $70 gets you a motherboard, period. You add the HDD, memory, everthing else. It's not a complete PC.

protias · 05-25-2008, 11:59 PM

The largest 2.5" drive size is 320GB. Western Digital, Samsung, Hitachi, and Toshiba. Those are the ones I know about. I'm not sure if any other manufacturer also makes 320GB laptop drives.

BlackStealth · 05-26-2008, 07:15 AM

The processor is included with the motherboard (D201GLY2), so that's one less thing to buy. As for memory, I debated whether to go with 512MB or 1GB of memory and went with 512MB. You'd be surprised how little memory is really needed on a carpc, and less memory means faster hibernation operations. When I had everything loaded on my carpc, navigation, speed camera alerts, every app I discovered even a 256MB stick of ram would have been adequate, lol.

RealRitzcracker · 05-26-2008, 08:52 AM

You Guys Are Experts, So I'll take your word.

I just though the more memory the faster and better your programs ran.
I think I've spent to much time running windows vista lol.
I haven't run XP in a while.

The only pro about a mid-tower is you can use at as a car pc and a normal pc in your house.