If space is not an issue...

Audamn · 02-04-2004, 10:45 PM

Does it matter whether I build a mini Epia system or just go with a full size system for more options.

Are there any added benefits? What are the downsides?

Will vibration be an issue?

FAmonmouth · 02-05-2004, 09:16 AM

there are a few things that need to be considered. power consumption, heat, space but you already said that is not an issue.

The more powerfull the PC the more power it will consume. A 90 or 150 watt 12vdc power supply might not cut it. you would have to find something bigger or go woth an inverter. The same with heat. more power more heat. it will need to be mounter where there is an ample amount of air flow.

I have a full blown PC in my truck. I also have a yukon with tons of room to spare. I use an inverter for power and there is plenty of air room. I think most of the people that use the SFF boards want enough power to do what they want it to do. I on ther other hand need AGP graphics, pci sound card and a few other things not found on most SFF boards so a full PC was my only option.

D

Audamn · 02-05-2004, 10:02 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by FAmonmouth

there are a few things that need to be considered. power consumption, heat, space but you already said that is not an issue.

The more powerfull the PC the more power it will consume. A 90 or 150 watt 12vdc power supply might not cut it. you would have to find something bigger or go woth an inverter. The same with heat. more power more heat. it will need to be mounter where there is an ample amount of air flow.

D

I plan on using a 150W Opus. I'm not going to need anything more than a mini pc offers, but with a full size case, the PSU would fit inside and I'd be able to use a 3.5" HDD. Also, with my application, I'll be building an amp rack with plexi windows and I think a mid-tower case with a window and some LEDs would be nice.

Do you think I'd have a problem with power? My setup would be:

2.0ghz P4
onboard video
SB MP3+ USB Sound (powered by usb)
120gb 3.5" HDD
Opus 150W PSU
Slim DVD/CD-R In the dash
7" Lilliput Touch
assorted LEDs in the case and amp rack

2 Amps
1 JL 12" Sub

1 or 2 '1 farad' capacitors

dank_Army · 02-05-2004, 10:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Audamn

I plan on using a 150W Opus. I'm not going to need anything more than a mini pc offers, but with a full size case, the PSU would fit inside and I'd be able to use a 3.5" HDD. Also, with my application, I'll be building an amp rack with plexi windows and I think a mid-tower case with a window and some LEDs would be nice.

Do you think I'd have a problem with power? My setup would be:

2.0ghz P4
onboard video
SB MP3+ USB Sound (powered by usb)
120gb 3.5" HDD
Opus 150W PSU
Slim DVD/CD-R In the dash
7" Lilliput Touch
assorted LEDs in the case and amp rack

2 Amps
1 JL 12" Sub

1 or 2 '1 farad' capacitors

Hi,

There is no way on earth that a 150w psu will work that lot - a full size hdd drive uses alot of power, and using a 2ghz cpu will be drawing alot aswell.

Regards,

John

Audamn · 02-05-2004, 01:03 PM

so is there a device I can buy that will do the shutdown/startup that an opus will do when I start the car?

FAmonmouth · 02-05-2004, 02:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dank_Army

Hi,

There is no way on earth that a 150w psu will work that lot - a full size hdd drive uses alot of power, and using a 2ghz cpu will be drawing alot aswell.

Regards,

John

I will have to disagree with you on that one. I am using a 150watt power supply in my full pc powering, ok get this
AMD 2600 cpu
120 gig 7200rpm full size HD
TI4200 video card
Sound Blaster Live audio
regular 3com nic
belkin wireless nic
zippy usb keyboard
earthmate usb GPS
dvd rom
usb Webcam for backing my beast up.
usb optical mouse.

I dont have a single problem with it shutting down or restarting. I am using a 200 watt inverter that is also powering a 15 LCD monitor as well. this is what i am using with out a single problem. Depending on the hardware you choose it may or may not work. I am just showing that it is possible to have as much stuff as you have listed and then some on 150 watts

Audamn · 02-05-2004, 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by FAmonmouth

I will have to disagree with you on that one. I am using a 150watt power supply in my full pc powering, ok get this
AMD 2600 cpu
120 gig 7200rpm full size HD
TI4200 video card
Sound Blaster Live audio
regular 3com nic
belkin wireless nic
zippy usb keyboard
earthmate usb GPS
dvd rom
usb Webcam for backing my beast up.
usb optical mouse.

I dont have a single problem with it shutting down or restarting. I am using a 200 watt inverter that is also powering a 15 LCD monitor as well. this is what i am using with out a single problem. Depending on the hardware you choose it may or may not work. I am just showing that it is possible to have as much stuff as you have listed and then some on 150 watts

This same argument is ongoing in the power supply forum as well. The only difference in the major components of your system and mine would be the chip. Does anyone know if a P4 draws more or less power than an AMD?

god_of_cpu · 02-05-2004, 02:50 PM

Depends on which P4 and which AMD, check out the wattage calculator for a specific answer:
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

Quote: Originally Posted by Audamn

This same argument is ongoing in the power supply forum as well. The only difference in the major components of your system and mine would be the chip. Does anyone know if a P4 draws more or less power than an AMD?

Batmanatthenewb · 02-05-2004, 03:42 PM

I am using the MSI K3T-ARU board. Getting ready to change to XP2700 or XP2800. It's nice to have the expandability and the pci slots. Leaves you lots of options between USB 2.0, adding Firewire, adding additional pci cards, etc... Computer is mounted in the dash. Running a 300w Radio Shack invertor (mounted in glovebox) going to a 300w power supply which is mounted under the passenger front seat. This keeps some of the heat away from rest of PC. My board is a raid board, but currently only using one 80g 7200rpm hard drive. With heater on, cpu runs about 120°F and case temp is about 108° to 110°F according to MotherBoard Monitor. Also nice being able to use full size DVD/CDRW's that you can get for $59 as opposed to getting the more expensive slim lines. Been reading around this site for a while now and figured I could get more computer power for less money by doing the invertor. Plus, if the power supply goes bad, its not hard to find a 300w ATX at a dirt cheap price compared to the Opus. I just posted some new pictures to my website. Have to make the face plate for around the DVD, head unit, etc... and make one more panel to hide the wires by the passengers feet yet.

As far as shut down: I have a switch that turns on a relay which allows power to the invertor. That way, I don't have to open the glovebox to turn it off directly. A couiple of seconds after the invertor is on, I push the remote momentart switch to turn the PC on. Use hibernate (either from windows, or Media Car) to shut system down between stops. Takes about 15 seconds to come on and start playing mp3's and about the 8 or 9 seconds to shut off.

Also using Hal 2000 office Asst for the voice recognition part of the system. Used to have a 1.0gig cpu, and there was some delay when you asked the computer a question. Delay is considerably less now with the faster cpu. Waiting to get the XP2700 and see if all delay is gone.

If you are going to do voice recognition, or any other processor intensive programming, the bigger the cpu and the more RAM, the better. The Nehimiah and other SFF motherboards don't give you the option of the faster cpu's.

Just my two cents worth.
Batman

Audamn · 02-05-2004, 03:59 PM

Thanks!

So I'm gathering that, if I don't have an opus, my only option is installing a button somewhere to turn on the pc and that I can't have it turn on and off with the car?

Batmanatthenewb · 02-05-2004, 07:01 PM

You could use set up power management on the mobo to reboot computer after power loss. This way you could run a wire off the ignition to a relay to send power from battery to invertor when ignition is on. When you shut ignition off, power would be cut and computer would go off. Of course, you want to shut down, hibernate, standby, whatever, not just cut the power, or you can damage your setup. However, when you start car next time, power would be sent to relay, and motherboard will recognize power and should restart your setup. You may have to play with the power management setup. The way I have mine, I can shut car off and still have power for pc. Pushing an extra button wasn't a big deal for me.

Another thing you may want to think about is that if this is wired with ignition switch, anytime you turn ignition on, computer will start. This could be annoying if you had to move cars around in the driveway, drive two doors over to pick up the neighbor, or any other times when you are turning car on for only a very short period of time.

If you don't shut it off right, you will eventually do damage.

Batman