[mercedised]

Nice to see a increment in your project. BTW, Where is the OBD actually fitted? I mean how does it calculates the parameters? and is it available for every car? Like mine Tata Safari TCIC.

[anku94]

Originally Posted by mercedised

Nice to see a increment in your project. BTW, Where is the OBD actually fitted? I mean how does it calculates the parameters? and is it available for every car? Like mine Tata Safari TCIC.

The OBD port is connected to the ECU, which has sensors all over the car. The port is present below the steering wheel, above the accelerator, brake and clutch.

Most new cars have OBDs, but for Indian manufacturers like Maruti, Tata, or Mahindra, there might be protocol problems.

[frankmehta]

Hi to everyone after a hiatus!
The reversing camera and the LCD touchscreen are on the way.
While this is happening, here's my query.
Core2Duo / Core i3 530?

Power consumption is of importance. Cost isn't. (well, to an extent of course)

[Sprucegoose]

Originally Posted by frankmehta

Hi to everyone after a hiatus!
The reversing camera and the LCD touchscreen are on the way.
While this is happening, here's my query.
Core2Duo / Core i3 530?

Power consumption is of importance. Cost isn't. (well, to an extent of course)

Yo!
C2D use less power [about 10 watts or so] than the Ci3

but the Ci3 is still more efficient.

Core 2 vs. i3: Which is the Best Processor?

I'd say go for a C2D.
It'll be cheaper [Mobo, Procc & RAM].
It'll eat less power.
It won't be too much slower and still be fast enough for what you need.

[ph03n!x]

Originally Posted by Sprucegoose

Yo!
C2D use less power [about 10 watts or so] than the Ci3

but the Ci3 is still more efficient.

Core 2 vs. i3: Which is the Best Processor?

I'd say go for a C2D.
It'll be cheaper [Mobo, Procc & RAM].
It'll eat less power.
It won't be too much slower and still be fast enough for what you need.

This is OT, but the Core i3 integrated memory controller, PCI controller and graphics controller built into the proc's core itself - this could be the reason why its TDP is about 10W higher (for procs meant for portable applications). This also means the motherboard would consume lesser power, as the south/ north bridge combination (that existed in Intel platforms before the Core i3/5/7) is not the same anymore. I do not seen a platform power consumption test result, but it seems obvious. Let me google something...

My suggestion would be - go for an i3 based platform if the price differential is under 15% (for the proc, RAM, graphics) - you are definitely getting more for what you are paying. Else C2D is the way!

EDIT: Found something: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...e,2522-11.html

[Piyush_Vroom]

Originally Posted by frankmehta

Hi to everyone after a hiatus!
The reversing camera and the LCD touchscreen are on the way.
While this is happening, here's my query.
Core2Duo / Core i3 530?

Power consumption is of importance. Cost isn't. (well, to an extent of course)

Along with the power consumption also look out for temps rating of both.

i3 is the way if going with a more future proof machine

[frankmehta]

I have read in some places that Core i3 processors DO NOT support Windows XP. Or the other way around, where people say that the Speed and power saving abilities of the processor are not very well utilized by Windows XP. is that true? I would rather get XP since during all the testing for the devices I have bought, and I have done, I have used XP.

[ph03n!x]

I don't think it will NOT support XP, but yes - XP may not fully utilize the capabilities of the i3 platform, especially the power-saving part.

[anku94]

Originally Posted by frankmehta

I have read in some places that Core i3 processors DO NOT support Windows XP. Or the other way around, where people say that the Speed and power saving abilities of the processor are not very well utilized by Windows XP. is that true? I would rather get XP since during all the testing for the devices I have bought, and I have done, I have used XP.

From what I could gather from googling, XP will run on dual cores, but it won't utilize the dual core architecture with maximum efficiency.

[frankmehta]

And we have the final few packages flying in this weekend. ALL overseas purchases are complete. NOW for the Processor, MOBO, RAM and Cabinet. After which we start the process of assembling it.

For now, the reversing camera was here 2 days back from Global Easy buy, which had their FREE shipping from USA scheme last week, again.

[satish_appasani]

Though it's too late, still posting this. Came across this nice keyboard/touchpad combo in one of the blogs.
USB Fever Weekly News July 5-11: Mini BT Keyboard with Touchpad Mouse and Infra-red Presenter And More | Just Another Mobile Monday)

[Sprucegoose]

I hod problems installing Windows XP on my C2D system.
have a DDR3 Mobo.
Kept getting a BSOD while trying to install.
i need to install some drivers via floppy disc apparently after the pre-installation environment is loaded.

Gave up on XP, installed windows 7 after that.

[SumitBahl]

I would suggest you to go for Core i3.
It is more efficient than C2D.
Also, its the new architecture and uses latest components (In terms of chipset and RAM).

DDR3 RAM prices have slashed. Go for 3GB CORSAIR XMS3 PC3 12800, triple channel, 1600 Mhz RAM. Its the best available.

X58 chipsets (Core i3, i5, i7 runs on X58) have much better on board graphics than earlier chipsets.
I would suggest the INTEL ORIGINAL motherboard. Its the max bang for buck.
If you want something highend, go for ASUS, GIGABYTE or MSI.

Hard drives might create some trouble in the long run. They are not made for that kind of heat and shocks. SSDs is the way to go.

And, dont worry, you will be able to run XP on Core i3.
Why dont you install Windows 7? Its better than XP in every way. I wouldn't say same for vista, but 7 is the way to go.

You can run/install almost all softwares that ran on XP in 7, under the compatibility mode. Just try it.

[frankmehta]

So here's a recap of all that is to be installed.
Prices will be published later.

Touchscreen LCD: Shenzhen Klyde, China (thanks to Dinar)
Power Supply: M4ATX 250W power supply
Processor: Core i3 530 (yet to be procured)
Motherboard: An H55 mobo from Gigabyte, preferably
RAM: 2 GB DDR3 RAM
Cabinet: iBall/CoolerMaster/Zebronics Mini ITX cabinets
Soundcard: ASUS Xonar D2X
Hard Drive: Western Digital SATA II 500 Gb 5400 rpm 2.5" Laptop Drive
GPS Receiver: GlobalSat BU353
Reversing Camera: License Plate Waterproof Fish-Eye Lens camera
Keyboard and Pointing Device: Lenovo N5901
OBD Scanner: ELM 327 OBD II to USB Scanner
External DVD Drive: Transcend DVD Writer
Internet Device: Tata Photon +
Universal Remote to control volume etc: MPR-999
DVB Tuner: Terrestrial video tuner from China.

That's all guys.
The install should begin this week. First up, i shall be purchasing and installing the CPU.
Next step will be documented soon after that

[ph03n!x]

A few newbie-to-carputer questions - does the carputer fit the 2DIN, or just the screen goes there? Wont there be a delay to play the music (or anything) after starting the car and before removing the key after turning off, because of the 'puter booting up / waiting for it to hibernate / shutdown?

@frankmehta - may I suggest you go in for a SSD based HDD (even a 32 GB one) for a permanent HDD that goes inside the Car PC - and use external HDD / memory sticks for expanding the storage? I have had experiences with HDDs crashing on you when being used in the car - we can never drive safely enough, that odd pothole or speedbreaker that you missed seeing will get ya!