AMD Phenom 9850BE based CarPC

eigenVector · 04-05-2009, 05:44 PM

So I've got many old spare parts laying around (after a home system upgrade) and decided to go ahead and build a new toy for my car. After lots of research I came across this wonderful site called mp3car.com :O

Edit: After a lot of help and suggestions, here's the latest rundown on the components of this build:

Motherboard: Zotac GeForce 8200 mini-ITX
CPU: AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition Quad Core 2.5Ghz 125W
Memory: 2x2Gb OCZ HPC Reaper DDR2 1066Mhz
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG05-B Mini-ITX Tower - *Updated*
Hard drive: 1x Western Digital Scorpio Black 320Gb - *Updated*
Power supply: Opus 360W Intelligent DC-DC PSU - *Updated*

Update:
Here's a diagram of the layout so far:
*Updated 20090515*

Thanks!

ioo · 04-06-2009, 04:03 PM

You probably want the Opus, if your gonna run full-on desktop hardware. An M4 would prolly be fine power-wise, but Ive seen a lot of iffy reviews of it.

eigenVector · 04-06-2009, 07:25 PM

Thanks ioo, I think I will go ahead and opt out for an Opus. I guess I'll hijack this thread for future updates to this system as I build it.

Thanks again!

wi77iam · 04-07-2009, 07:22 AM

I'm also building my latest car PC with that Zotac 8200 board. IMO that Phenom is way overkill for the car, but whatever floats your boat. I'm putting an Athlon 5000+ in mine, and I'm underclocking it so I can run a M2-ATX. It will still be more than 4X faster than my old EPIA.

Good luck with the build.

strikeback03 · 04-07-2009, 09:14 AM

Does that Zotec support the 125W TDP processors? I know some of those boards have issues with processors over 65W TDP. Also, the mo-co-so case only claims support for processors up to 45W TDP, so that Phenom would probably roast in there, no way to fit a large enough cooler.

eigenVector · 04-07-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wi77iam

I'm also building my latest car PC with that Zotac 8200 board. IMO that Phenom is way overkill for the car, but whatever floats your boat. I'm putting an Athlon 5000+ in mine, and I'm underclocking it so I can run a M2-ATX. It will still be more than 4X faster than my old EPIA.

Thanks! I know it's overkill, but I upgraded my home box to a phenom ii (940) and now I have the 9850 sitting around collecting dust. I was debating whether to build a Media Center box, or go on out and venture into the car-pc world. This board should be good for both situations, and the car-pc seemed to be more of a challenge, which is why I decided to take this route.

Quote: Originally Posted by strikeback03

Does that Zotec support the 125W TDP processors? I know some of those boards have issues with processors over 65W TDP.

According to the specs on newegg it supports phenom's. As to the 9850BE, I don't know. I've already got the board/cpu/memory so I can go ahead and put it together with a standard desktop psu to see if it has any problems booting/operating and let you know.

Quote: Originally Posted by strikeback03

Also, the mo-co-so case only claims support for processors up to 45W TDP, so that Phenom would probably roast in there, no way to fit a large enough cooler.

You're absolutely correct, I'm thinking about additional modifications to the case to support better ventilation. If all else fails, I'll resort to underclocking as wi77iam is planning to do. Will it be enough? I guess we'll find out.

strikeback03 · 04-07-2009, 12:52 PM

I can't find it at the moment, but there was an article on Anandtech about AMD motherboards (micro-ATX in that case) not supporting the 125W processors. They ended up blowing the power delivery systems of the motherboards. So if you are fine with possibly blowing the motherboard, might as well try it out. Zotec doesn't seem to have any documentation of what is qualified on the board.

eigenVector · 04-07-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by strikeback03

I can't find it at the moment, but there was an article on Anandtech about AMD motherboards (micro-ATX in that case) not supporting the 125W processors. They ended up blowing the power delivery systems of the motherboards. So if you are fine with possibly blowing the motherboard, might as well try it out. Zotec doesn't seem to have any documentation of what is qualified on the board.

I'll definantly keep my eyes open for this, but I just came across this list of supported CPUs for this motherboard on zotac's site.

http://www.zotac.com/httpdocs/brochu...rce%208200.txt I'm curious as the Phenom I chips listed here are 95W, but their Phenom II 940 chip is a 125W chip. Because of this, should I put my 940 on my car pc, and leave the 9850 in the desktop? Seems more than overkill, but does it make sense that it would be able to handle the 125W Phenom II 940, and not the 125W Phenom 9850BE?

And after even further reading, the Zotac brochure lists "65-watt TDP recommended"

Perhaps this may not be the best of ideas after all :/

Edit: They updated the cpu compatibility list yesterday for this board, and added the 9850 and 9950BE to the list. Still odd how they support it, but recommend 65-watt tdp cpus.
I'm gonna give it a go anyways.

eigenVector · 04-17-2009, 09:17 PM

The mo-co-so case came in today! Quite impressed by the work that has gone into it too.

However, as I suspected, the stock hsf for my cpu is too big for my case. I've been researching some that are on the market, and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the best cooling solution for this case.

Currently I'm leaning towards the 60mm Arctic Cooling Low Profile CPU Cooler. And as best as my measurements are, I think this should fit, but it'll be tight.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

HiJackZX1 · 04-18-2009, 03:48 PM

HOLY F*C%in $H!+, a QUAD CORE!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, and so many people say DUAL CORE is over kill. Have you tried a power consumption calculator? I dont think even a OPUS will work, dont Quad Cores need more then 500 Watts to work?! If you do make this happen I cant wait to see it.

eigenVector · 04-18-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Have you tried a power consumption calculator? I dont think even a OPUS will work, dont Quad Cores need more then 500 Watts to work?! If you do make this happen I cant wait to see it.

Yea, I know I'm pushing a huge wall here. According to one review, this CPU under load requires 256Watts (154 Normal). Another review claims 300W under load (199W idle). I went ahead and purchased the Opus 360W, and am hoping it will suffice. Otherwise I don't have any problems under clocking the CPU.

I'm not even planning on adding any display to this PC either, so I don't have to worry about it taking power. I'll be using my windows mobile phone as a display. I have no plans for any additional USB peripherals, except a place where I can connect my phone for charging/syncing.

DarquePervert · 04-18-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

HOLY F*C%in $H!+, a QUAD CORE!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, and so many people say DUAL CORE is over kill. Have you tried a power consumption calculator? I dont think even a OPUS will work, dont Quad Cores need more then 500 Watts to work?! If you do make this happen I cant wait to see it.

Yes, a quad-core is overkill.
However your odea on the power needs is off. The Pehenom II quad-cores suck down 95-125w, which is comparable to other performance-oriented CPUs.
That said, I don't think a CPU drawing that much power is the best choice or a vehicle install.

eigenVector · 04-18-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

That said, I don't think a CPU drawing that much power is the best choice or a vehicle install.

Are you suggesting a system that pulls that much power for a vehicle will cause the vehicle itself to suffer from a lack of power? If that is the case, is there anything that I can/should do on the alternator side to make sure that the car will have adequate power because I'm only using a factory alternator on my '05 grand-am?

The reason I'm going quad core, is not because I require the performance of such a processor, it's simply because I've got one lying around. 'Over-kill' (whatever that actually means technically speaking) or not, at this point in the build I'm looking for a system that will collect gps data (Migrating from a custom piece of software I built for my windows mobile phone), collect OBD-II data, and provide audio to my car stereo. Do I have the components required for this? I think so.

Moderators: it appears I have a missing post between #10 and #11. Is it because I included a hyperlink in it? I know I'm new here and all, but how long does this 'probationary period' last?