Discuss how to build a Car PC....

sys_whiz · 16th March 2007, 14:52

Thank You netarchie. Is iride reliable. How you purchased the items from them. Did you picked up the items from their office or placed the order online?

sys_whiz · 16th March 2007, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

That explains the higher cost of the motherboard. For 12,000, what kind of processor are we looking at embedded in the MB ?

And, the HDD, is that a 2.5" or smaller ?

Here is the the detailed explanation :

Mini-ITX formfactor motherboards are an economical alternative to traditional embedded boards. Measuring 170 mm x 170 mm (6.75 inches x 6.75 inches), the Mini-ITX motherboards is the world's smallest native x86 platform and is fully compatible with Microsoft and Linux Operating Systems.
The mini-ITX motherboards are fully equipped with powerful x86 processors, PCI, VGA/TV, audio, USB, serial and Ethernet. Widely used in the small Mini ITX form factor PC Case, the mini-ITX boards enables the creation of a new generation of small computers (mini-ITX PCs, car PC, appliances) aimed at industries, embedded mini-ITX market, data communications, medical equipment and networking applications. Mini-ITX motherboards are designed for long-term use in form factor applications and targets small, quiet PCs ranging from silent mini-itx desktops to home digital media and mini-ITX in carpc projects.
The Mini-ITX board has a ultra low power x86 processors CPU, often passively cooled, directly soldered onto the board for greater reliability. Due to the ultra low power consumption of Mini-ITX boards can be powered with silent mini-itx DC-DC picoPSUs series. When combined with our mini-ITX power supplies (PSU), sistem integrators can develop smallest possible mini-ITX based enclosures. Intel and VIA are the major OEMs for Mini-ITX boards.
One of the example of Mini-ITX configs:

VIA EPIA-EX15000G Mini-ITX Motherboard
Processor VIA C7 1.5GHz

Chipset VIA CX700M2

System Memory DDR2 533 DIMM socket (Upto 1GB)

VGA Integrated VIA UniChromeTM Pro II 3D/2D AGP graphics with MPEG-2/4 and WMV9 video decoding acceleration

Expansion Slots 1 PCI

Onboard IDE 1 UltraDMA 133/100/66/33 connector

Onboard ATA 2 SATA connector

Onboard LAN 1 VIA VT6107 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Controller / 1 VIA VT6122 Gigabit Ethernet Controller (Optional)

Onboard Audio VIA VT1708A High Definition Audio Codec

Onboard 1394 VIA VT6307S IEEE 1394 Firewire

Back Panel I/O 1 DVI connector
1 RJ45 with USB stack 2.0 connector
1 miniDIN for S-Video output
1 Triple RCA jack for composite video and stereo audio outputs
1 Triple RCA jack for component video output
1 S/PDIF coaxial connector
1 S/PDIF optical connector

Onboard I/O Connectors 2 USB pin connector for 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
1 1394 pin connector for 1 1394 port
1 Front-panel audio header for HP-out and MIC-in
1 Audio Line-in header
1 LPC header
1 LVDS connector to support 1-CH LVDS panel
1 TV out header for SCART and D-terminal (Optional)
1 Video pin connector for VGA output, CCIR656/601 video input and SMBUS
1 PS2 mouse/keyboard header
2 SATA connectors
2 Fan pin connectors for CPU and System fans
1 ATX power connector

BIOS Award BIOS
LPC 4/8Mbit flash memory

System Monitoring & Management Wake-on-LAN, Keyboard-Power-on, Timer-Power-on
System power management, AC power failure recovery

Operating Temperature 0~50°C

Form Factor Mini-ITX (6 layer)
17 cm x 17 cm

Generally the HDDs used in car PCs are of 2.5 inch.

sys_whiz · 16th March 2007, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

there are flash HDD also available in the market which are shock resistent.....no moving part inside....

Yes there are flash HDDs available now. But these are too costly comparing with the Conventional HDDs. Also there is a limitation of the HDD space with Flash Drives. I believe as of now the max size of Flash Drive is 32 GB.

low_bass_makker · 16th March 2007, 15:58

ya right now it is 32 gb but will be going to exceed very much in the near future.....

esteem_lover · 16th March 2007, 16:03

Is passive cooling sufficient for the CPU ? I am assuming that passive cooling is by way of the normal air flow inside the car.

sys_whiz · 16th March 2007, 16:52

I believe yes. The normal operating temp for these components are 0~50°C. If the car is parked in an open space during Summer, it's a problem. So when the vehicle is too hot in summer, allow sometime to cool down the car and then switch on the PC.

netarchie · 16th March 2007, 18:58

@sys_wiz, yes i found iride quite reliable and the owner is also very helpful. I had gone to their office to pick my stuff.
All the best with your install.

sys_whiz · 16th March 2007, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by netarchie

@sys_wiz, yes i found iride quite reliable and the owner is also very helpful. I had gone to their office to pick my stuff.
All the best with your install.

Last week of March I am planning to visit Mumbai. I will visit their office and pickup the rest of the parts for my install.

ankur · 17th March 2007, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by rishibravo

I think Ankut speint close to 20,000$ in getting that CarPC in his car.... I think the most difficult thing would be to get the low power consumtion motherboard. Tried a lot at NehruPlace market but couldnt find it. It will be awesome to get a CarPC but my palio Dash has no space whatsoever to put a touchscreen LCD

Where did you get that idea ? Although i could have spent that much too. I did spend a fair bit of money but that doesnt mean 'a car pc costs that much' . Its an open field just like you have HUs that are 2k and also some costing more than a lac.

You can make a car pc in the kind of budget you desire (reasonably), i had a different budget and aim.

I also was particular about where i buy from. I asked VIA in India for their pricing and it was 18,000 and a 3 week waiting period.

cheers.

low_bass_makker · 17th March 2007, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ankur

I also was particular about where i buy from. I asked VIA in India for their pricing and it was 18,000 and a 3 week waiting period.

like i said earlier....some things in india are bloody expensive......

tsk1979 · 17th March 2007, 17:49

The Mini ITX motherboard inclusive of processor costs about 3500 Rs max in delhi.
All you need to do is add RAM and HDD which takes the entire cost of the hardware, except for touch screen LCD and peripherals to around 9K.
The board is made by Kobian(Mercury) though the chipset is VIA.
Expect high costs if you want a VIA made motherboard.

esteem_lover · 17th March 2007, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The Mini ITX motherboard inclusive of processor costs about 3500 Rs max in delhi.
All you need to do is add RAM and HDD which takes the entire cost of the hardware, except for touch screen LCD and peripherals to around 9K.
The board is made by Kobian(Mercury) though the chipset is VIA.
Expect high costs if you want a VIA made motherboard.

Really !!! this has got me very interested indeed. how much for the power supply then ?

ankur · 17th March 2007, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The Mini ITX motherboard inclusive of processor costs about 3500 Rs max in delhi.
All you need to do is add RAM and HDD which takes the entire cost of the hardware, except for touch screen LCD and peripherals to around 9K.
The board is made by Kobian(Mercury) though the chipset is VIA.
Expect high costs if you want a VIA made motherboard.

VIA has a much better reputation especially in the vehicle environment, but i guess thats why you pay much more.

ankur · 17th March 2007, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

like i said earlier....some things in india are bloody expensive......

A bigger problem is availability, or rather the lack of it. It was a pain to get all my items together.

sys_whiz · 18th March 2007, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by ankur

A bigger problem is availability, or rather the lack of it. It was a pain to get all my items together.

That's what I am facing now.....

16th March 2007, 14:52	#16
sys_whiz BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, USA Posts: 112 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Thank You netarchie. Is iride reliable. How you purchased the items from them. Did you picked up the items from their office or placed the order online?
	() Thanks

16th March 2007, 15:58	#19
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	ya right now it is 32 gb but will be going to exceed very much in the near future.....
	() Thanks

16th March 2007, 16:03	#20
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Is passive cooling sufficient for the CPU ? I am assuming that passive cooling is by way of the normal air flow inside the car.
	() Thanks

16th March 2007, 16:52	#21
sys_whiz BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, USA Posts: 112 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	I believe yes. The normal operating temp for these components are 0~50°C. If the car is parked in an open space during Summer, it's a problem. So when the vehicle is too hot in summer, allow sometime to cool down the car and then switch on the PC.
	() Thanks

16th March 2007, 18:58	#22
netarchie BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 397 Thanked: 10 Times View My Garage	@sys_wiz, yes i found iride quite reliable and the owner is also very helpful. I had gone to their office to pick my stuff. All the best with your install.
	() Thanks

17th March 2007, 17:49	#26
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,822 Times View My Garage	The Mini ITX motherboard inclusive of processor costs about 3500 Rs max in delhi. All you need to do is add RAM and HDD which takes the entire cost of the hardware, except for touch screen LCD and peripherals to around 9K. The board is made by Kobian(Mercury) though the chipset is VIA. Expect high costs if you want a VIA made motherboard.
	() Thanks