BobbyG2 Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Hey guys, it's been a while since I fiddled around with PC hardware. Built a gaming rig when Core 2 Duo first came out and upgraded it a decent bit since then, but nothing recently. I have an old motherboard and processor sitting in my closet. Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135047 Processor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115015 I've always wanted to build a carputer using the usual PC hardware, and now my system is getting close to complete (Thursday I'm getting the battery, all the wire, building the box, and installing everything. All I have left to get is the components, which I have decided on the Sundown components when they come out) 90% of the reason why I want to use the usual PC hardware is so that I can use a dedicated sound card, and so that I have every advantage of having a PC in my car that I could possibly need (Internet, gaming, GUI music interface, tons of storage for music, etc.) After I complete my system, the next step is this. Building the computer and using it as my headunit. I've been eying this sound card for a while. RCA outputs galore! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271005 What I would need to get other than what I already have, and that sound card, would be a hard drive that would stand up to the harsh environment of a car in the Florida heat, and a power supply. I would probably just get a Solid State Drive that could hold Windows (I have Win 7 Ultimate that I can use), and a power supply that can convert DC from the car to the connectors for the computer. (Which is my dilemma) I can't really find a DC power supply bigger than this one (250watt): http://www.mini-box.com/M4-ATX?sc=8&category=101 I was thinking of getting this graphics card, but it requires at least a 300 watt power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130815 I am going to build an MDF case for the computer, and bolt it to the floorboard in between the driver and passenger footwell. In my car, that area is pretty big (1995 Buick Lesabre). I am going to mount a touchscreen monitor to the top of it, preferrably somewhere between 15-19", and it has to swivel. Something like this is probably the biggest I can reasonably do, and it looks to swivel and pivot perfectly for what I would need: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824016177R ^It's kind of a no name brand, but it might work. Anything cheaper that's of a good brand, is too big and most don't pivot/swivel. So, the main reason why I'm starting this thread, is to ask about the power supplies, and get it all planned out before I start building. Thanks in advance guys! *New vehicle and system coming soon.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Not trying to rain on your parade but. I can't help on the power supply, the selection of 12v-12v power supplies isn't great. You may end up having to get an inverter and a real pc power supply. I built a carputer using mini-box stuff, core 2 due motherboard and stuff, and a liliput 8 1/2 touchscreen display, 500GB drive. If i had it to do over again i would probably just have gotten a nice tablet instead considering the money i spent. I mean, realistically the software available to use a pc in a car practically is slim to none and i only use my just to show off. It's a pita to use while driving. Just my 2 cents. If you have better luck than me please post what you do in here cause i would like to know. Rest in peace, walled 87 accord build log 03' Corolla build with AA Mayhem inside. My super random youtube channel and terrible camera work. Wiring comparison by CaptainzPlanetz Wire and fuse guide by Guest SyKo13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Lightning Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I would have tried something likr this if I had not already bought the Kenwood 9980 ... Kenwood / HELIX / Linear Power (For The Love Of Music) / Brutal Sounds / OverKill Electric Co Questions About Sound Quality ?? Try Here ... Sound Quality, What does it REALLY mean ?? SMD SOTM Winner "White Lightning" 1997 GMT400 Chevy Silverado "The Green Dickle" 1994 GMT400 Chevy "Phantom Dually" Randal's 2007 Chevy Avalanche (we haven't named this one yet) Dylan's "Brutal" 17 Chevy Cruze RS Hatch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyG2 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 One of the things I noticed with the Windows 7 Mediaplayer, is that if I did have a large enough monitor (15-19"), changing songs/artists etc. wouldn't be too terribly difficult while driving. I could imagine the pains of doing it on a 7" screen not optimized for car use though. I'll for sure post my progress and thoughts when I'm done, though. A tablet would be cool, but a huge reason I wanted to go the PC route is for the dedicated audiphile sound card, and all the tweaking options that come with it. As well as the RCA's that come with it, eliminating the need for a headunit. *New vehicle and system coming soon.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bship Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I am pretty happy with mine, I use centrafuse and it works pretty well for me. the program is made for using in the car, the buttons are big, it plays all your media, nav and lots of other things. I don't have a head unit at all, only use the PC and I'm about to build another one for my truck. I use 3.5 out to an EQ and have good quality sound CARS 14 Sierra crew cab daily, Small build coming one of these days 69 C-10 fleetside in many pieces, won't be done till the end of time Last car '12 Focus with build log http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/165619-2012-focus-btl-15-crescendo-sundown-audio-control/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyG2 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 So, I'm guessing the only way to get bigger than a 250watt PSU, is to get a regular A/C PSU and a Power Converter? I'll only do that if I really have to lol... *New vehicle and system coming soon.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bship Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Why are you wanting to go with that graphics card? on my 8 inch I run HDMI and it is capable of 1080 but I have to turn the resolution down because it is too small to read what's on the screen. CARS 14 Sierra crew cab daily, Small build coming one of these days 69 C-10 fleetside in many pieces, won't be done till the end of time Last car '12 Focus with build log http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/165619-2012-focus-btl-15-crescendo-sundown-audio-control/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyG2 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I figured, why not get something that's worth while for $40? - That motherboard doesn't have onboard graphics, so I need SOME sort of dedicated graphics card. *New vehicle and system coming soon.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bship Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 oohhhh, that's my fail and probably something I may have to consider when it comes to powering my new computer, I plan on upgrading my desktop in the house and using the old parts in the truck. What about getting a second psu for the graphics? I wonder if that would work out. I didn't look at the link before, i just thought it was a lot of power for a card. CARS 14 Sierra crew cab daily, Small build coming one of these days 69 C-10 fleetside in many pieces, won't be done till the end of time Last car '12 Focus with build log http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/165619-2012-focus-btl-15-crescendo-sundown-audio-control/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyG2 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 That specific card doesn't have a power input - It gets all of it's power from the motherboard. I wish I was tech savvy enough to make my own power supply lol *New vehicle and system coming soon.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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