Critique My Choice of Components?

ZimZimmer · 08-05-2004, 07:24 AM

Before going ahead an ordering does anyone have any opinions on the hardware I have selected. Good or bad... just as good cheaper alternatives? My budget is approx £1k and I'm just about there.

Motherboard and Processor
VIA EPIA M10000

Hard Disk Drive - 60Gb
Hitatchi Travelstar 80GN

Memory
Kingston 512Mb PC266

DVD Drive (slim)
Toshiba SD C2612

7" Touchscreen VGA
Gain/Xenarc 7"

VIA PCI Riser Card

Opus 150w PSU DC-DC 150w ATX PCB

PCI Graphics Card (2 VGA)
PNY Verto/GeForce2 FX5200 128Mb

PCI Sound Card
Audigy 2 ZS Plat/Pro

USB Hub 2.0 4-Port
Targus Ultra Mini Hub

Power Cable - 8 gauge
IDE to USB for DVD Drive?
IDE Cable - Round for HDD
Mini Jack to RCA Cables

ARAT Bracket for e36 BMW

I'll try the onboard graphics first but if I'm not satisfied or get a second screen I'll got the PNY gfx card as this has a second VGA.

The reason for the selected sound card is for SQ and for connectivity between pc and my amp. This card has an external i/o box.

Gain/Xenarc as if I have the roof down on my car during a bright day I at least want to be able to see the screen!

Toshiba slim DVD is cheap! This will be mounted down the front of the car...

Opus - very good - 'nuff said.

Targus mini hub is cheap and pretty small.

ARAT bracket as I don't want to hack the dash.

EPIA M10000 - I won't be needing PCMCIA like on the newer EPIA II ones. Should have enough processing power.

Hard Drive - 60Gb is enough for my apps and mp3 collection!

512Mb will be enough memory for the car PC.

Case - I could do with input here... If I decide to use the two PCI card with the VIA riser then these will be facing away from the mainboard. Not sure what case? May have to build a custom one?

Thanks.

euro320i · 08-05-2004, 08:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ZimZimmer

Case - I could do with input here... If I decide to use the two PCI card with the VIA riser then these will be facing away from the mainboard. Not sure what case? May have to build a custom one?

Thanks.

Take a look at the Casetronic Travla C137. It has 2xPCI slots, but you're going away from that DIN-size with PCI card. If you're looking for more Graphics power there is a P4 Mobo with an ATI graphics chipset that will be out very soon...

ZimZimmer · 08-05-2004, 12:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by euro320i

Take a look at the Casetronic Travla C137. It has 2xPCI slots, but you're going away from that DIN-size with PCI card. If you're looking for more Graphics power there is a P4 Mobo with an ATI graphics chipset that will be out very soon...

Thanks for the input, that case is looking ideal.

I decided against DIN-size as I want the functionality of PCI.... P4... Hmmm it would prob be a more suited choice in the long run if I choose to expand the system past mp3 and dvd playback

kai445 · 08-05-2004, 12:14 PM

There's AMD mobo's with integrated GeForce already out if you're looking for graphics power. asus a7n8x-vm is mini-atx with nForce2 IGP.

ZimZimmer · 08-05-2004, 01:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kai445

There's AMD mobo's with integrated GeForce already out if you're looking for graphics power. asus a7n8x-vm is mini-atx with nForce2 IGP.

Thanks. If I build a new home PC I could use this PC I'm using now, in the car. It's a AMD XP2600, A7n8x-x, 512Mb DDR400, Gainward 128Mb DDR with Nvidia ti4200 chipset, 120Gb HDD. Prob a bit overkill for my current requirements but an option for later? I may well find the M10000 is fine for my current needs tho and not bother with the PCI gfx card. I very much doubt I'll be wanting games, etc in the car.