Carputer for 2005 Nissan Altima

checksum · 02-26-2006, 02:30 AM

Hello everyone.

I am new to this carputer stuff, but I am very excited about starting this project.
I just bought a new 2005 Nissan Altima. After doing lots of research on the forum, I decided to go with this setup. I wanted to get your opinion and maybe some recommendation on these parts that I want to buy before I make any mistakes. For the computer I decided to go with the mini ITX and for the monitor I want to get the Lilliput 7" VGA Touchscreen. Here is a brief list of the hardware I am planning on buying:

- C134 Mini-ITX Case Black $140.00 (I wanted to go with the Morex Cubid 3688 Mini ITX case but it is not standard DIN, and since I wanted to mount the computer on the dashboard for easy access to usb ports and drive bay, I decided to get the C134)

- Lilliput 7" VGA Touchscreen 619GL-70NP $254

- VIA EPIA SP13000 Mini-ITX Motherboard $225

-Pioneer Slot Load DVR-K05 DVD±R/+R DL/±RW Dual Drive 8X $145.00

-2.5" Hard Drive 80GB Samsung 5400rpm $240

- Ultra Low Profile 512MB DDR PC3200 RAM $148.99

- Audigy 2 NX external USB sound

- Power Supply ( Don't know yet - Which should I get for this set up? )

- AMPLIFIER ( Don't know yet. Any recommendation would be appreciated)

- Speakers + Sub ( Haven't decided yet, also here any input would be appreciated)

- GPS ( Don't know which one to get yet)

- WIFI

- Keyboard and mouse (wireless preferable)

I think that's it, hope I did not forget anything too important.

This is what the dashboard for the 2005 Nissan Altima looks like:

I am thinking of mounting the monitor right where the small compartment is
and the computer wight below it where the LCD discplay is. I will probably have to take it to a shop to have it mounted since I am not very handy when it comes to these type of work and I do not have the tools. I have built many PCs myself ( desktop ), so I should not have problems with the PC set up and the wiring.

I have a budget of 1500.00 for the whole project, I don't want to spend more than that. I plan to finish it in probably 2 months if everything goes as planned.
If anybody is familiar with a good shop where I can have the monitor mounted, that would be great, I live in MD.

Thank You.

alti · 02-26-2006, 05:41 PM

take a look through the projects threads there are a number of 02-04 nd 05-06 altimas with screens mounted where you are considering (above the radio) One of the mods of the forums (altimat) had done a while back and sold them for the 02-04's

good luck on your project. Personally i would use differnt hardware, but i also was not looking to install my computer in the dash. You should be able to complete the project for around your budget.

checksum · 02-27-2006, 09:20 PM

So I changed my mind, and did a lil more research,
I am not going to install the computer on the dashboard,
but below the passenger seat.
This is my first diagram as to how I am going to do it.
Please feel free to give me any feedback or recommendation.
Some of the hardware parts I want to get, I have identified;
the others, i am not decided yet.

Here is what the wiring and placement would look like, looks like I will need long cables and wires.

The hardest part for me would be to mount the LCD on the dashboard,
since I do not know how and do not have the tool, I have decided to
buy the dashboard frame from the 05 altima that has a navigation system,
I can then use the cutout of the LCD to place my own xenarc LCD. Hopefully
it will fit.

my car

Cris · 02-28-2006, 10:44 AM

Look at Altimat's installs.

checksum · 03-04-2006, 03:41 PM

Here I go again. Well I changed my mind on a couple of things.

1- The monitor will not be located on top where the small compartment is, I will mount it where the radio is see http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/worklogs/44943-2005-nissan-altima.html
2- I have decided to go with a destop PC, a MicroATX case and motherboard
For the case http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/a106/index2.php
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...190-018&depa=0
http://www.xpcgear.com/lib/extremepc...se-03-256k.wmv
I wish the LCD display was horizontal so I can place in the dashboard.
with a 2.8 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 processor. I have not decided about the motherboard yet, but most likely will be an ASUS microATX.
-A desktop 3.5'' Hard drive instead of a 2.5''HDD
-150W opus power supply
-The monitor will be power by the OPUS.

checksum · 03-24-2006, 12:18 PM

After 1 month of planning, I came up with this. I am about to purchase the parts next week.

My concerns so far?

Will I have enough power on the M2-ATX to power my peripherals?

Do I need a second battery because of the inverter I am using ( although I will not go pass 200W on the speakers)

I will first test everything on my bench and measure all voltage rail power to make sure everything is working fine.

Then I will take everything to the car and install the inverter and the PC, then measure the power on the inverter when I am listening to music and see how high is enough.

That's about it.

Please comment...

Sonicxtacy02 · 03-24-2006, 01:05 PM

why go with a 64 sempron when NOTHING you'll run inside the car is 64 bit? i have a 2800+ mobile athlon with just about every peripheral one could think of installed on a m2-atx, but i'm not sure the 64 sempron will allow it.

checksum · 03-24-2006, 01:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

why go with a 64 sempron when NOTHING you'll run inside the car is 64 bit? i have a 2800+ mobile athlon with just about every peripheral one could think of installed on a m2-atx, but i'm not sure the 64 sempron will allow it.

Thank You, will consider that...