Car-computer wiring

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

Yeah you can get a 7200RPM IDE HDD with 250+ Gb of storage for like $60

 

[TAshifter88]

hm.. ok, I'll def invest in a bigger hdd. Are there any specs I should specifically go for? For example, I know a bit about hdd, but should I invest in laptop hdds or 2.5" hdd vs 3.5" hdd? And if that's the case, will a 3.5" hdd fit in most microATX enclosures? And lastly, should I just toss the graphics card or use it for sh*ts and giggles? I know integrated cards are complete crap, so having this other *might* make things run faster, but then again, I don't know much about making a lower-end computer and target specs for carputers, more or less front-end software recommendations.

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

For the graphics card, unless it uses a ridiculous amount of power, might as well use it. You probably won't even need it, but if it's not hurting anything, more power to ya.

As for the HDD, you can go any way you want. Laptop hard drives are going to be more expensive, but they are more durable. They are better at handling shock and they can take slightly colder temperatures. I have a 3.5'' HDD and if it gets below about 5 degrees it has trouble booting, after running the car for 5 minutes it's usually good to go. Laptop HDDs can usually get closer to 0 before having trouble. I guess if you live somewhere where it routinely gets and stays that cold for long periods of time it might be worth your money to get a laptop. I don't worry about shock too much unless you routinely go offroading or something.

And for the microATX enclosure, well each one is different. That is assuming you are buying a pre-built computer case. Most of them should fit 3.5'' HDDs, but like I said, they are all different. Most people with CarPCs make their own cases. I made a simple carpeted MDF case with 2 80MM fans and securely mounted everything down using angle brackets.

here's mine...

 

[TAshifter88]

WOW...mdf?! Hah, I guess that works out pretty well for ya?

But ya, abotu the ventilation issue, my problem isn't about things being too cold. QUITE the opposite. I live where typical summer days are 90-100+, and being inside a small black car probably won't help things out, NOT to mention once all the parts start going, it'll only produce more heat. But then again, if heat is any issue at all, I can always just make an extra side port from my AC leading to my computer //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif. I'll most likely see if I can fit everything in the glove compartment.. TRY anyways. That should def make things easier as far a cooling goes. I might have to put a filter in it first though..

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

Just make sure you get a case with some good cooling. At minimum you'll want 2 80MM fans. In your case it might also be wise to invest in an aftermarket CPU heatsink/fan and some Arctic Silver 5 Thermal paste to replace the included stuff, that should definitely help your CPU cooling.

Actually most people who build CarPCs make their own case, or at least puchase one designed for the car. It looks funky having a regular tower just bolted down in your trunk or something, and a lot of regular cases, even MicroATX ones won't fit in glove boxes, center consoles, or any number of places people want PCs at. Another advantage is that you can fully control the cooling system, you can circulate the air exactly how you want, use any number of any size fan you want. Also you can mount all your hardware however you want, horizontal, verticle, you can use shock absorbing robber grommets, it's up to your imagination. Also you can make it look as cool or as stealth as you want it to. I'm going to be incorporating a rack for two amps, my computer, and a sub box all into one huge flowing fiberglass structure once it warms up a bit.

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

im switching back to a 3.5" hdd as soon as i relocate my carPC to the trunk. Maybe i'll have better luck this time around.